Does this school exist - reality check needed?

[dreamit]

Does anyone know if this school exists?

Primary school within 2 hours of London commute (more than 200 pupils);

Modern and bright building, large open grassy grounds;

Ofsted outstanding; extremely high Key Stage 2 performance results;

Near a highly reputed secondary school;

In a really really lovely area which is a great place to live.

Or am I kidding myself? If so, please give me a kick and I will take a reality check

I'd say there are plenty of those in Leicestershire (1-1.5hr train journey) where I live - though they have a stupid middle school system for Years 7-9 then change again for Yrs 10-13, but other than that, plenty of the primary schools round here fit that category - am slightly confused as to why the number of pupils and how modern the building is are such important factors to you, but each to their own!

There are plenty of schools in our area like that (east mids on a County border with Lincs grammar schools/good Notts comprehensives as secondary options). But Ofsted outstanding/results/'high repute' don't necessarily make a great school - and certainly not necessarily the right school for your DCs. You need to be prepared to think a bit less literally to find the place that's right for you all. Good luck.

I can think of one in Warwick but the buildings aren't modern - half Victorian, half ~60s (?) but well maintained and not cramped.

Can commute from Leamington Spa to London in under 2 hours as it's on the main line.

It's near two separate girls/boys private schools, there's a grammar in nearby Stratford, and a very good reputation state secondary (it has good links with this school)

Plus it's my old school and I loved it

My DC's school in Cardiff ticks pretty much all your boxes. They don't do Sats In Wales any more but it gets good results across the curriculum. PM me if you want more details.

Actually, if the modern building criteria is a bit flexible, there are a few schools in Cardiff that tick the boxes.

Tonbridge/ Maidstone areas of Kent

Thanks everyone. So perhaps they do exist. Any names to throw at me? Bertie, could you name your school? Thanks!!!

Coten End

None in Hampshire that tick all the boxes, many that have some of the cirteria.

Why the 200 plus ?

Romsey / Winchester / Salisbury / Ringwood / Lymington / Chichester / Petersfield

How about Saltford C of E school - its about 10 mins West of Bath. Feeds into Wellsway school in Keynsham, which is an outstanding secondary comprehensive. Buildings not modern though, otherwise fits all the other clauses I think! Or Chandag Juniors is right next to Wellsway in Keynsham - more facilities in Keynsham, but Saltford seems to be a more desirable place to live - probably as its closer to Bath.

Harpenden. 25 mins from St Pancras. Primaries (among others) Roundwood Primary school, Woodend Primary, Crabtree Primary, Manland Primary, Secondaries, St George's School, Roundwood Park, Sir John Lawes

Thanks everyone, and especially for the names. Will have a little look. TalkinPeace2 - that's what I thought - that the areas you state would have these. But I can't find a single school which ticked all the boxes; certainly Winchester and Ringwood/Lymington. I was quite disappointed by the schools in Winchester, and the schools in Ringwood and Lymington again failed to tick everything. Yes, I know my wish list is probably unrealistic - that's why I asked. And yes, I have put on a couple of strange prerequisites - the bright, modern school comes from my son desperately trying to avoid the gloomy school he went to and I pulled him out. And the larger school is important to me for the vibe I find missing when I look at smaller schools. Anyway, thank you. Some homework for me tonight : ))

St Mary's Primary in Pulborough could tick all your boxes. Has outstanding OFSTED, beautiful grassy school grounds with school veggie patch and orchard, reception garden and outdoor living willow classrooms. The size is perfect with enough children to have lots of school clubs but not so big that the teachers don't know every child in the school by name. Senior school has great results and London Bridge/Victoria are about an hour by train.

Milton Road Primary, Cambridge. New buildings built in 2007. Lots of space. Ofsted outstanding. Very, very motivated and committed parents (sometimes a bit too much so!). Good KS2 results. 50 mins to London on the train (although school not very near the station). Nearest secondary rated good, all parents like it, improving fast. 60 kids per year, reception through to Y6. HTH.

Milton Road Primary, Cambridge. New buildings built in 2007. Lots of space. Ofsted outstanding. Very, very motivated and committed parents (sometimes a bit too much so!). Good KS2 results. 50 mins to London on the train (although school not very near the station). Nearest secondary rated good, all parents like it, improving fast. 60 kids per year, reception through to Y6. HTH.

Agree with Buiscuitsneeded, although I would expand on that and say almost any primary school in Cambridge would tick most of your boxes. St. Matthews is very good with new modern building, Abbey Meadows is also quite an amazing school, very modern and spacious as they are only half capacity at the moment, a dedicated head.

The primary school in Comberton is very good and is a feeder for Comberton Village College which is very very good.

Cottenham primary school also very good.

I do wonder how you are judging all the schools, are you just reading their Ofsted reports or are you visiting them?

Is a school like that , but actually IN London out of the picture?

You have a very specific criteria, being that particular means that you are likely to be disappointed. Does it really have to have 200+ pupils? Victorian buildings can be lovely too!

Alresford in Hampshire has Sun Hill Infant and Junior schools (separate but on same site). Feed into Perins.

Appleton thorn primary in Warrington. Outstanding school 200 pupils, modern building, loads of extra curricular activities, modern foreign language teaching in every year veg patch, large playing fields in village location. Above average level 5 results but very inclusive school Feeder school to outstanding secondary which has an amazing curriculum. Warrington 1hr50 min direct to euston.

I think you could find this in almost any direction out of London. I wouldn't get too obsessed with the Ofsted outstanding TBH - it's getting more and more indicative of outstanding box-ticking and hoop-jumping than anything else.