Coulsdon schools - any advice or experiences please!

[prayingmantisgroupie]

My DD is due to start reception Sept '13. We live up on the hill at Netherne, and have been reliably informed that we don't have a 'choice' as such; all Netherne children are automatically sent to Woodmansterne Primary. We haven't viewed Woodmansterne yet, unfortunately we couldn't make the Open Days, so we are arranging a private appointment ASAP. We have however viewed Chipstead Valley, Coulsdon C of E and Keston, all if which we loved, particularly Chipstead. We are also seeing Smitham next week.
I guess my question is, is there any point in us applying for Chipstead or any of the others when we seem to have no chance of getting in? Also does anyone have any experience of Woodmansterne? Their latest Ofsted is not that great to be honest.
Just to throw another spanner in the works, we are in rented, so we could actually move if absolutely necessary, however, we love our house, so if Woodmansterne is actually a lovely school, we'd be foolish to move IYSWIM?
Sorry, I'm now rambling, basically if anyone can set my mind at rest I'd be grateful!

I live not far from Netherne and haven't even heard of Woodmansterne but know where the village is. I would have thought you were nearer to Chipstead, Smitham and the others, there is also Byron. School boundaries do change so I would certainly look at all of them. My dcs went to Keston which is lovely but that was a few years ago now.

Hi , thanks for replying! You're right, there are actually FIFTEEN schools that are closer to Netherne than Woodmansterne. The council for some reason chose it as Netherne's catchment school??? Very odd. Glad to hear your DD's liked Keston - it's top of our list if we decide to move over that way.

Is it because you are outside the Croydon boundary and Woodmansterne is also Reigate and Banstead? Good luck anyway

Yes I think you're right there - we're literally on the border which must complicate things. Aargh, so stressful!!!

We went to look round Woodmansterne for DD (we're in Sutton). We loved it, and it was only the location and the fact I couldn't guarantee being able to get her there every day that made us discount it - no public transport, and I had no reliable use of a car during the day. There was a lovely sensory garden, the school had a lovely atmosphere, the kids were friendly and chatty, and friends with kids who are there currently really rate it.

Thank you Rue, it's great to hear from someone who knows kids there, and likes it. I think I'm going to have to try and get past the Ofsted thing and just try to judge the whole school as we find it. Hoping to get an appointment in the next week or two so we'll see....!

Hi! Sorry to bump this thread. I am after some information regarding secondary schools. They dont seem to have good ofsted rating/ report. Where do children from this area go to for secondary education. WOuld appreciate your advise. Thanks

I live quite near to Woodmansterne Primary but have a child at another school in the area. I haven't heard any bad reports about Woodmansterne recently but I do know that it's undersubscribed and places were centrally offered there this year; you can check allocation of places on the Surrey County Council website. You have nothing to lose if you place schools higher than Woodmansterne on your application form (from any borough) if you put Woodmansterne in last place. You can check how far out the schools you do like usually offer and don't forget you might be lucky as some schools create an extra class; I know several children getting places at popular schools when their friends living nearer didn't get a place only because their parents didn't think it worth applying!

Just re-read original post - of course schools have already been allocated for September 2013 but same advice applies for primary or secondary schools in the area.