Greenwich or Wanstead - which place is better for Primary and Secondary Schools?

[countrysidemuffin]

We are in Wanstead and thinking of moving to Greenwich because there are some great primaries; but I am not sure about the secondaries in Greenwich. There are no great secondaries even in Wanstead but some private secondaries are good.

Any suggestions, move to Greenwich or stay in Wanstead - if schooling is the only consideration?

thanks

Really? Wanstead has some fantastic primary schools and a good secondary, as good as it gets I rekon. If you can affort to move could you afford private? Which primary school are you close to in Wanstead?

Most people I know in Wanstead are all happy about the schools (except Snaresbrook at the moment). I have heard of loads of people wanting to move in the area because of the good schools and none so far apart from you wanting to go somewhere else... I know nothing about Greewich...

We were thinking of Nightingale if we continue to live in Wanstead. Do you know anyone who goes to that school? What do they think about it? Thanks.

Nightingale received an Outstanding by ofsted in their last inspection and everyone I know who goes there is very happy. Are you close to the school, because it is very oversubscribed and if you live further away it's difficut to get in. Then there are the church schools (CoE and Catholic) both have good reputations, but with some issues (CoE is a one form entry - only one class for each year, which is very unusual for a state school in London!- and very small, not a big playground). Aldersbrook is improving and all parents I know with children who go there are happy.

Private schools, there is Forest, Snaresbrook College, further out there is Bancroft. And many others if you go a bit further out.

The Secondary school's last ofsted was not good but again, Ofsted has changed a lot of criteria for Secondary schools. It is in my opinion a very good secondary school and where my children will go, but it depends on your objectives and expectations. We will not go private altough we can afford it. I personally many children who go to that schoo and they love it.

We are planning to move to Snaresbrook soon and my ds will need a reception place next year. blueberry, do you know if Snaresbrook primary is really that bad? I've just heard it has gone into special measure but don't have any local source of information as we haven't move yet....

yes it is bad, my husband is assistant head in another primary school in Redbridge and it's the talk of the town. They will be under special measures. When I moved here 6 years ago, Snaresbrook was the school where all parents wanted to send their children. It was a good school with an excellent headteacher. The headteacher changed a few years ago and it's been downhill since then. He has left when the latest ofsted report came out and there will be experienced temporary headteachers to try and turn the school around. Things change very quickly and hopefully the school will improve within a year or two. They basically failed in all areas covered by ofsted, 4 is "A school that requires special measures is one where the school is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and the school?s leaders, managers or governors have not demonstrated that they have the capacity to secure the necessary improvement in the school. This school will receive regular monitoring by Ofsted inspectors."

Achievement of pupils, Inadequate, 4
Quality of teaching, Inadequate, 4
Behaviour and safety of pupils, Inadequate, 4
Leadership and management, Inadequate , 4

The full inspection report is available here: www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/102832

But things do change quicky after a poor inspection so it might play in your favour, ie the school will not be full but will improve.

When you come to apply, you should put Nightingale first, then Snaresbrook, then maybe Churchfields in South woodford, an excellent primary school a bit further out. Chances are, you will be assigned Snaresbrook but you can then put your child's name down on the waiting list for other schools (even for Wanstead Church School if you don't mind CoE). If you are not happy with Snaresbrook then you can take a place in another school if/when they become available.

Thank you so much for the information blueberry! The info is exactly what I need. I checked with the council and I don't think we have a chance getting into Churchfield, but Oakdale maybe a possibility. Other than that it might have to be private (Snaresbrook Prep?) but I have always imagined state primary and save the money in case we need it for private secondary. Do you know what their reputations are like locally?

Really hope that a new head can turn Snaresbrook primary around soon. This school business is so difficult!!

Snaresbrook prep in my limited knowledge is very pushy, very academic school. I know a couple of children who go there and they have to work very hard, they have lots of homework from very young. It depends what you want really. The kids who go there are miles ahead of my two in CoE school. Forest would be an excellent option but expensive. It's just down the road from snaresbrook and it had excellent facilities, incuding sports. And great after school options.

I see, will ring up Forest to see if they still accepts application then. Thanks so much blueberry!

Just to add, greenwich does not have strong secondary schools, by any standards. Blackheath High is good, as is the new Free School, but most others are comparatively iffy...

The LEA is very low in the national league tables, largely due to arse/elbow confusion