Gayhurst School, Brook School, Benthal School and Colvestone School - Hackney

[Primrosekitten]

I need to write write a priority list for boy year 5 September start. Confident, outward going child who loves the outdoors - sports and nature. Slow reader. Any thoughts?

Have you visited them?

No, I am not in the country to visit them.

DD is at Gayhurst. Big school but engaged, community feel to it. Very creative and great arts programmes. Lots of activities in London Fields. It's convenient to have the park and the Lido across the road. Organic, locally sourced school dinners. The new Head is whipping it into shape in terms of admin & organisation. it had a reputation for being a bit chaotic, in a laid back hippy way. Intake skews to middle class (for Hackney). I don't know anyone at the other schools you mention as I'm at the south end of London Fields. Are you able to get a place at any of these? There is a real issue with school places in Hackney at the moment.

Thanks for the feedback - very helpful. I have to fill in the form with my four choices in the next few weeks and see if they have a place for September.

Benthal is going through a bit of a crisis at the moment - I know quite a few parents who are keen to leave (but are a bit stuck with the dire shortage of school places as mentioned above)

www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/stoke_newington_school_staff_vote_for_strike_action_1_2193203

Thanks - that's interesting and will help me make up my mind. As there are so few places i think we may just have to make the most of the school we are allocated. He will only have the last two years at the school so I will not want to move.

Good luck! Getting a place will be the hard part but the good news is that schools in Hackney have improved massively and they've turned around (or are turning around) the failing schools, so you'll probably be fine wherever you end up.