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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Schools in Haringey

34 replies

nativitywreck · 11/12/2011 16:13

We are currently in Yorks, and thinking of moving to London, specifically Highgate.
The place we are looking at's nearest primary is Ashmount, but that is in the Borough of Islington, whereas we would be in Haringey.
Does the school allocation go on borough or distance?
I went on Haringey website, but it didn't really say how priority was given.
Also, does anyone have any advice or recommendations regarding schools in that area (it's Highgate/Whitehall Park).
Confused by London!

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Scoops1 · 11/12/2011 17:26

Admissions are pan-London, so you can cross borough lines. Best school up there is Coleridge. However, 'cut-off' distances are laughably tight. I suggest you get here and visit all the schools in walking distance. As it's London, some of the best Leadership and teaching is at the more challenged schools. You don't say how old your child is. There tends to be more chance to get in popular schools post reception. Parents offered places often decide not to move their child once they've settled happily in another school. Islington admissions is all online and you can see how far away you are from a school.

Original poster

nativitywreck · 11/12/2011 17:53

Thanks.
Unfortunately he is in reception now, and would hate to move him more than once.
I think Coleridge is one of the ones near the new flat.
My concern is mainly that its a nice friendly school that cares about the kids. My ds is super bright but a bit shy and awkward, so I am worried the whole thing really!
Does anyone know anything about Ashmount, since that is nearest?

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Scoops1 · 11/12/2011 18:17

I have heard it is improving. Really visit first and make up your mind. Of all the schools I've visited in Camden and Islington, there was only one that I didn't like. The rest were really impressive. It's just getting into them that's the problem. Coleridge is supposed to be great. There was talk of Ashmount merging with another school. I think Millaband's wife is a governor there, always helps pull a school up!

Original poster

nativitywreck · 11/12/2011 18:22

I will for sure. I think Ashmount is moving to a new site, but not merging, but I will find out.
Yes, having a senior politician's wife as a govenor is a bonus!
How about secondarys? There don't seem to be that many community ones.

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theyoungvisiter · 11/12/2011 18:23

I have friends at Ashmount who are extremely happy there. They went for Coleridge but failed on distance and chose Ashmount as second choice. I know they're pleased with the outcome but I don't know anything about the school first hand.

lulurose · 11/12/2011 18:25

Ashmount very good and strong leadership according to DH who is a primary head in that area x

Original poster

nativitywreck · 11/12/2011 18:41

Brilliant, thanks! I am just worried that there will be no place, and he will be shipped off to a school miles away.
I think I will call the council/s tomorrow and see where the land lies.
Very nervous about the whole London thing, as we live in a small town at the mo, very safe, low crime etc.
I lived in London for years, but moved away when ds was one, so it's going to take some getting used for us both.

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horsemadmom · 12/12/2011 00:02

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Firawla · 12/12/2011 00:14

I used to live in haringey but nearby to ashmount (just on the borough border) and we did get into there despite being the wrong borough and a late application (it was for nursery though) but didn't send ds in the end due to moving area. The school building looks rubbish but they are supposed to be moving to a new place in crouch hill so i'm sure it will be better. I thought they are supposed to be ofsted outstanding?? although I may be wrong on that.
If you do want to go into Islington although this might be a bit far for you but Pooles park tends to have space and from what i know of it i think it's a good school, the ofsted is less but they did improve it and the staff i've seen from there very friendly and helpful to parents, people i know whos dc went there were happy with it.
Coleridge is supposed to be a very good school but you have to be very nearby to get in, if you are near enough then go for that? noo way you will get into yerbery from the location you are at! Also even though yerbery is supposed to be good i have heard from so many parents that they were not happy due to it being overly middle class, stuck up etc etc... so the reputation is not always everything. I used to live nearby to yerbery too and i even found that myself the atmosphere from the yerbery mums was a bit stuck up and rude! Anyway thats a bit off topic as its too far from you... but just to say i dont think reputation is everything!
Another one to check what about stroud green primary? okay its not thatt near but not too bad distance-wise cos you can go on the 210 bus and is another one on the borough border but on haringey side i think?thats if you are looking for more options although no idea if it is good or not tbh

PollyParanoia · 12/12/2011 12:10

Horsemadmom's post is really rude - 'sink school' - on what are you basing this opinion? So dismissive. OP, her kids are at n london privates and the primaries she's listed are those that private school users tend to think of as viable state alternatives. Which I find a bit weird because those in private always cite small class sizes as the biggest factor in their choice yet all of those are always 30 kids per class due to being over subscribed... Socially, however, they are closer to private schools but that can't be the reason, can it?
I've heard great things about Ashmount and if you search for it on here you'll find some posts from a father who's been involved in the development of the new site. Have also heard good things about Highgate primary too which you might be near enough to get into. You can apply to both Islington and Haringay primaries.

Original poster

nativitywreck · 12/12/2011 13:32

Interesting responses all!
Yes Polly, our nearest schools would be Ashmount and Highgate.
Ashmount has a Good Ofsted, but its a couple of years old. I think it got an Outstanding for one of the categories.
Tbh, I don't really go on Ofsted reports anyway-I rejected our nearest school up here, even though it was "Outstanding" cos I hated it, and loved a slightly scruffier "Good" school.
I actually would like ds to go to a fairly mixed school, as we are far from wealthy (Lone parent) and my main criteria is that he feels secure and happy, and that the distance is reasonable for me to be able to drop him off before getting to work.
Apparently Coleridge is going from a two form entry to a four form entry, and that seems to big for me, and for ds, but it will be on the list as it's the third nearest.
Please can someone reassure me that it is possible to put your child thru the state school system in London without them becoming knife wielding gang members?
In my years away I have become all nervous and provincial!

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PollyParanoia · 12/12/2011 13:45

In my limited experience, it's perfectly possible! My dcs are in an islington primary in a v mixed area and so far it's been great. I know a lot of parents intending to send their older children to Highgate Woods secondary and they seem happy that their children will be crime free.
Coleridge is already four form though still with tiny catchment as so sought after. Apparently it's dealt with the expansion really well, but lots of people prefer Ashmount anyway (google Arabella Weir and Ashmount - she's that comedian and writer whose kids went there, not that resident celebrities should sway you).

Original poster

nativitywreck · 12/12/2011 14:42

Thats the funny thing about North London-it's full of celebs!
Oh, yes I did check to see which secondary we would be closest to and it is Highgate Woods actually.
I don't know why I am worrying-I went to a failing comp, and I'm not in a gang anymore

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crazycrackernanna · 12/12/2011 14:52

I lived,until February,right in the Whitehall Pk area,my DD was at another (close by) primary which I hated! Every year a new head,terrible bullying and things got really bad in yr5. I did the "try persevere she's near the end" thing,and it was the worse decision of my life. My girl's memories of Primary school are now awful and sorrowful and I blame myself. I so wish I would hace sent her to Coleridge...a local friend had a boy in Ashmount and really didn't recommend it.

She is now at secondary (Highgate Wood) and I am really happy with the choice.

There is a church school near to you...St Joseph's...which is also quite good. I if I had another little one and still living there would plump for Coleridge.

Original poster

nativitywreck · 12/12/2011 16:47

Sorry to hear that. Which primary was it? (so I can avoid like the plague!)
I will investigate St Josephs, but I would imagine you would need to be a church goer, which I am not.

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crazycrackernanna · 12/12/2011 16:50

It was hargrave park in Archway.
St Jo's do have to take a number of pupils who are non demonination. A friend of mine is Muslim....and her sons go there.

Original poster

nativitywreck · 12/12/2011 16:58

Oh, but I have been this way before crazy! Our local school where we used to live had to take other faiths too, but...you had to go to some kind of place of worship. So if you were Muslim, or practicing Jewish you would have a much better chance than the atheist likes of me!

I think I have walked by Hargrave Park. Thanks for the tip.

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crazycrackernanna · 12/12/2011 17:17

When I say Muslim....completely non practising....completely! And they knew!
So....worth a look.

Original poster

nativitywreck · 12/12/2011 17:53

Really? Deffo worth a look.
I don't know if it will even happen yet, so I may be jumping the gun, but this is all dead useful!

OP posts:

crazycrackernanna · 12/12/2011 17:54

keep is informed on your choice. Good luck
Oh and Milou's is a fab place to eat

Original poster

nativitywreck · 12/12/2011 18:00

Thanks!

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WoodRose · 12/12/2011 19:19

I don't know anyone with DC at Ashmount, but I have heard very good things about Highgate Primary. Are you fixed on Highgate? Muswell Hill has a plethora of outstanding primary and secondary schools and the lack of a tube station isn't really that inconvenient as it has good overland links from Alexandra Palace Station and/ or a lovely walk to Highgate Station through Highgate Woods. Not that I am biased or anything.....

daisymaybe · 12/12/2011 19:24

Ashmount has an amazing and very active PTA (with the full support of the head,) and it's definitely not a sink school. Sounds like that posters info is at least 5 years out of date. Go for a walk round and judge it for yourself.

lulurose · 12/12/2011 20:19

Please disregard horsemads post for it is a crock :) It is a good to outstanding school and excellent teaching and leadership. My dds are surviving North London Primaries, doing well and not gang members as far as I know, they are only 8 and 4 mind you!

Good luck with the move.

Original poster

nativitywreck · 13/12/2011 11:55

Thanks lulurose. I don't really want to move, there is just no work where i live .
Woodrose-ds was conceived in Muswell Hill ! It's nice, but the flat that we might be taking is Highgate (it's a good deal and in the same building as my best mate.)

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