Bookham primary schools advice

[LucyM78]

Hi! This is first time I've posted... Looking for advice as considering move to Bookham for schools. Need to be in by xmas as my son's primary application needs to be submitted by Jan 15 as starts Sept 15. Any up-to-date info on Eastwick, Dawnay, Polesdon Lacey and St Lawrence much appreciated! I've seen Dawnay & St Law are rated 'requires improvement' but would like to know parents' experiences as only use OFSTED as guide. Also heard the Howard of Eff is doubling in size? This is planned to be a long term move so any input on what it's like living in Bookham with young family and activities/friendliness in locality helpful - we won't know a soul! Thank you!

My dc are not at the mentioned schools, however I have friends with dc in Eastwick and St L who are very happy. you are quite right to only consider ofsted as part of the picture, particularly as ofsted judgement has been much 'harsher' under new criteria.

Have you had a chance to visit? as they are quite different - Eastwick Junior is 3 form entry as opposed to St L with 1. Polesden I understand is a fantastic infant school but nearby Dawnay is seen as the least popular. Hopefully someone more informed could comment on this.

AFAIK Howard is not doubling in size but if planning is granted for a new build school the intake could increase, but I thought I heard 300 a year which is by no means dbl. I guess there could be more numbers at 6th form.

Loads of activities and places to visit, friendly place, easy to integrate when you have pre schoolers/primary age dcs. good luck !

My children are older but I have a lot of friends with children in each of those schools. The ones who are the least satisfied are the ones who went from Polesden (which is a cracking school) to Eastwick Juniors! EJ has traded on an old reputation for several years now. It's results are the worst of all of the junior options www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/schools/performance/group.pl?qtype=GR&f=V0u7lH0Zf1&superview=pri&view= - only 27 % of its high attainers got level 5 in Reading, Writing and Maths, and only 2% of middle attainers did! The Dawnay had 57% of high attainers and 10% middle attainers last year, and St Lawrence was also better. If I were looking for infants, I would choose Polesden particularly if I had a preschool child as well. I would then look hard again at Juniors once I knew what ability group my child was in, and whether the results had picked up.

Bookham is a fantastic place to live. We moved here when my oldest was a baby and I can't see us leaving anytime soon.

Dawnay parents are frustrated that the recent Ofsted (under the new harsher regime) has the effect if masking recent fantastic SAT scores which are the best in Bookham.

In general Bookham is a thriving community with loads going on for families-

They are at juniors, Homes, but Polesden is consistently the best for infants. It's such a cosy, calm little school as well. I don't know anyone who has been unhappy with it.
dashboard.ofsted.gov.uk/dash.php?urn=125052 Polesden

dashboard.ofsted.gov.uk/dash.php?urn=124951 St Lawrence

dashboard.ofsted.gov.uk/dash.php?urn=130397 Dawnay

dashboard.ofsted.gov.uk/dash.php?urn=125045 Eastwick Infants