primary schools in Newport, Wales

[intheshed]

We're moving to Newport soon and need to find a school for DD (currently in reception). It seems most of the decent schools are full (not surprisingly).

Does anyone have any experience of Gaer infants school? The inspection report for the infant school seems good, but the more recent junior school report is not so great

Our other options at the moment seem to be Maesglas, Crindau, Malpas Park or Malpas Court.

intheshed, you are not comparing like with like. The infant school report is from 2008 and is based on the old inspection regime whereas Gaer Junior is from fairly recent inspection, the framework for which has been in existence since September 2010. The new inspection regime is far more rigorous than previously. Gaer Infants will be inspected sometime next year.
The key in the junior report is that whilst the school?s current performance is Adequate, the school?s prospects for improvement are Good. If you like, the inspectors (and I have worked with a couple of them) are saying that the basics are in place but the impact of the changes the school have made have currently not been realised.
Crindau was inspected last week, report will be out in the middle of July.

I know a couple of the schools very slightly, and wouldn't have any issues sending my own to either of them. But do bear in mind that Newport is a bugger to drive around, not to mention parking when you get there. All things being equal, I'd stick with the closest school you can get DD into. Have you had the chance to look around any schools yet? Your own impressions should carry at least as much weight as that of inspectors.

Thanks for the replies- we are moving from Bedfordshire, so not so easy to just drop in and visit, plus I work in a school so can't generally get time off in term time. Hopefully DH will be able to take a day off to go and look around them after half term.

We are movimg to the Bassaleg area and wanted to get her into Pentrepoeth, but there are no spaces, so Gaer is our closest with any spaces. The proposals for merging the infants and juniors are worrying me a bit too

Ultimately, we would be keeping her on the Pentrepoeth waiting list and hoping a place comes up eventually.

What is the area like around the Gaer? We are also looking at schools out towards Caerphilly as an alternative, the drive might be easier!

Newport LEA is good. The primaries are pretty good across the board and although I know nothing about the Gaer would have thought it's ok. The key to Newport is secondary - and Bassaleg is a very good school. Bassaleg is a lovely area to live. Despite the name change I don't live there but did go to Bassaleg Comp (a looong time ago!).

Sounds like you have a good plan though re the Pentrepoeth waiting list. Are Rogerstone & High Cross full (same comp cluster)? If you're looking to Caerphilly from there Risca (& Ty Isaf Infants who feed Risca) are in the one direction and have both done well in very recent inspections. Machen is the other way and is another good school. Overall I think you'll be fine! Welcome to the area!

I was going to suggest Ty Isaf as well, if you're looking in that direction.

Thanks- found out today there is a space at Ty Isaf! Machen is full, same goes for all the Rogerstone schools. But Ty Isaf looks good so we are happy, just need to get the in-year admission application sent off asap!