Kentish Town schools for 2013 entry

[passivehoovering]

I live in an area that has no real "choice" of school,
I did my homework and realised that my DD was unlikely to get into any school unless we found God, so I did. She is likely to get the nearest school to us which is a church school which has an amazing Ofsted and people seem to WANT their kids to go there. Trouble is, I saw it and I wasn't keen. Admitedly I was shown round with a group of parents who were thinking this would probably be the only state school they would consider their child going to, they said as much and it annoyed me, so may have coloured my perception. I did however feel that the Head was very "businessman" and I do wonder if the school will be very SATS focused. I want DD to enjoy her childhood.

There is another school, Tuffnel Park, which we may just squeeze into, but not neccessarily. I loved it! I loved the Head, he seemed to really "get" my daughter as she bounced around his school. However I know parents think of this school as a bit second class. One parent even said to me that her son goes there but she is trying to get him out as "you can't be sure they will sit next to a middle class child".

SO, does anyone know anything about Tuffnel Park or Kentish Town Primary, I suppose I am looking for reasurances that KT is okay. Also I would feel guilty about putting TP down as a first choice, which we may not get, when KT is supposedly a better school and the only one we are almost guaranteed to get into.

Please help me with parental wobbles

I'm not sure you do want reassuring about KT so much as reassurance about the wisdom of putting TP first. Camden operates something called Equal Preference which means you won't prejudice your chance of getting into the CofE school by putting it second (but at the same time if you get into Tufnell Park you won't be able to change your mind and then go to KT - i.e. you will be given the highest choice you are eligible for).
Certainly ignore those who suggest it's second class (I think it might also suffer from not being Yerbury), such a load of tosh. I can now say that some of the most challenging children at my kids' Islington school are offspring of lawyers, while the brightest are not what many would define as 'middle class'.

I think that you have to listen to your own instincts when it comes to looking around schools - you know your dd best. I live in the area and have heard very good things about Tufnell Park although I haven't looked around it.

Also, I went to see Torriano and really liked it - more than Kentish Town I think. This is definitely a mixed intake, but seemed really lovely to me. I don't know where you live though and so difficult to say where you are likely to get in.

You won't get into Yerbury or Eleanor Palmer unless you live on the doorstep. but I don't know if you're renting at the moment and can move into those catchments.

Mumsnet just ate my (long) response!

thanks Poly, that really helps.

We have just moved to our flat and I really like it, I never intend to move again :) Torriano is out of the question due to distance. I wouldn't want EP even if we lived in the playground, although I would be pragmatic.

DP hasn't viewed any schools yet or been to the church (Church is freaking me out a bit, I mean I think it is all mad and am quite angry that my going or not could mean the difference between a school place for my child or not-but a different thread) so is going on parents comments, so I may have to get him to view schools

Do you think I could have another viewing of both of the schools, or would that look a bit wierd?

I have friends who have children at Tufnell Park and they are very happy with it (one became a school govenor). Their children have made very good progress. The head is indeed friendly and approachable which is definitely not the case with the two most sought after schools in the area (Yerbury and Eleanor Palmer). I believe it is very inclusive which certainly can't be said for Yerbury (unless you are very wealthy). The SATs results for the wealthier schools (Yerbury and Eleanor Palmer) are generally skewed as many of the children are sent to tutors from quite early on as parents prepare their children to get into private or selective state schools out of the area.

Thanks Jar111. That was the impression I got when visiting EP, the girl who showed me round was doing extra classes every evening after school! And they teach the kids violin, why would any sane person do that? I suppose all the kids must live in large houses with sound proofing ;)

I have booked to see TP and KT again, and DP is coming with me. To be honest I don't think we will get into TP but I will talk to the head about it. I think if we hadn't been going to church DD would probably be without a school next year. Baby boom for the 2013 intake and not enough school spaces at the minute anyhow.

Just a shame as I really like TP and KT not so much, but I suppose we will just have to learn to l ove what we get given and be grateful

I don't know what is so bad about teaching DC's to play the violin? My DS's Community Primary teaches all DC to play the violin, they get a year's worth of lessons for free in school time, then if they wish to continue, you pay a £20 deposit for the violin, and they continue with lessons throughout Y6, and practise at home too. DD just had the lessons in Y5, but as a left hander, found it a little too difficult and didn't wish to continue in Y6 like me, she has the musical ability of a fart, unfortunately. DS1, however, is going to continue his lessons, and will be bringing home the violin in September.

DS1 is in FSM's, and we live in a mid-terrace, non-soundproofed, Social Housing home. Some of the other pupils do live in huge 7 bedroom homes though.

And they do after school clubs most days, too. DS1 does football twice a week, violin once a week (extra tuition lesson), athletics and maths club, and also attends an 11+ focus group run by the school. DS2 does football once a week, tennis, Eco club and maths games club. In the winter they go to ICT club instead of athletics / tennis.

After school clubs are something I look for when choosing a school - only the football clubs and the tennis clubs are paid for, the rest are all free clubs run by teachers at the school!

I was laughing myself a bit CardyMow because the violin sounds SO dreadful when played badly and is probably taught to impress parents. People play ie pop guitar for pleasure so surely those would be more fun things for kids to play but would be unlikely to get you into a competative girls senior school under a music scholarsip. Wasn't trying to be rude. We are also social housing, and as DP is a musician know the problems.

Sorry, it was just an aside at a school that I feel is a bit up itself ;) And an area that is a bit Hellicopter Parent Central.

This area is a bit 'helicopter parent central'. And I was worried about DS1 carrying on with the violin lessons and having to practice at home, until I heard him at his concert - he's actually quite good!

Which is a surprise to me as I can't even read music let alone play it.

My family are the 'poor family' at this school, and there are certain things at the school that would make me unlikely to recommend it like their abysmal record with bullying and SEN but for after school activities, it's the best in the area I live in.

:) mardy we will still have no violin players in this house, I can't move for Marshall amps and guitar stands ad it is. Something small and triangular for her maybe...

I am just an inverse snob and have only just moved here and find it all lovely but a bit unreal

hey
What did you decide?