Walker Primary vs. Eversley Primary - Enfield mums pls help!

[Mum2arj]

Hi all,

We are about to relocate to Enfield due to DH's job. We have narrowed down to the areas we like - Southgate and Winchmore Hill. We have a 2.5 yr old son so being within the catchment of a good primary is really important.

Also, as I work in the city, we would like to be near a station. So although St Paul's CoE would have been fantastic, we are not Christians so don't believe we'll have a chance to make it into the school unless we convert!

So, compromising on the distance to a station, from the desktop research that we've done, we like Walker primary and Eversley primary (not been able to get appointments to go see either until next month).

I understand that both Walker and Eversley have tiny catchments so only been looking within 0.3m radius (which seems to be the average going by previous years). We are about to make an offer on a house close to Walker but before we do that, would appreciate any help/guidance/info you could give on Walker and how it compares against Eversley. They are both Outstanding rated, seem to have good results etc. I like the fact that Walker is currently smaller but this could change in the next 2 yrs when it's time for lo to start.

What are the extra curricular activities both schools offer? What is the teaching like and how well looked after do the children feel? Which one is more academically oriented?

Pls send any info that you can - would be hugely appreciated as we do need to make the decision soon.

Many thanks in anticipation.

I only know them thru reputation. Beware of using average catchment distances - they are shrinking. Walker has the 'best' reputation - & also lots of families who rent flats to get the place, then decamp back home. Both have fairly high levels of kids having private tuition which bumps up results. Walker had a new head recently & hasn't been ofsted'd since. Eversley had a bit of a scandal about irregularities over sats.
Go & visit, then move next door to the one you like best. 0.3m would be pushing it for Walker...
Not sure you have time to find god - they are pretty strict on church attendance.

Thanks wimblehorse. I heard about Walker's new head and that she's proposing all these new changes which aren't going down too well. Didn't know about the Eversley scandal that you mention.
The trouble is that we really do need to move soon so don't think we can buy a house now, then 9 months later rent somewhere else to be closer to the school of our choice. And then a year after that, move back into our own house. Can't afford it and nor do I have it in me to make all these transitions tbh.
Do the CoE schools not take non-faith students on the basis of proximity? Can't seem to find any details on St Pauls' website.
Anybody else with any further insight on Walker or Eversley?

Some CE schools reserve a few places for proximity, but not St Pauls - living close is category 8 - doubt they ever get beyond category 4 or 5. Looks like the child has to be baptised & attend the church for 2 years before the January application date - so last January for you!
admissions
I'm certainly not advocating either faking a faith or renting a temporary home - I did neither & my dc are doing well at their allocated school (which wasn't one of my choices). But others will & do. Don't forget that a settled homelife (which wouldn't be helped by constant moves!), involved parents, opportunities outside school etc are all going to be compensating factors even if you don't get your first choice school....
Good luck

I would definitely go for Walker over Eversley. I've heard of people taking their kids out of Eversley, but not Walker.

Thanks wimblehorse and sugarquill - that was really helpful. We have just made an offer today on a house which if it goes through, should hopefully get us into Walker (0.25m). However, if we don't get into Walker, what do you reckon would be other good options as we wouldn't make into Eversley's catchment from there.

Hazelwood? That would give you much more scope to move into the Lakes Estate. These schools are not laways what we think. Walker pupils are heavily tutored to achivev those results.