West London Free School Primary or John Betts in Hammersmith??????

[WLondonMum]

Hi everyone, we moved to W6 just 9 months ago so still finding our way around and need to apply for DD for primary this month. We are reasonably close to both schools (but understand John Betts has a tiny catchment)... but just don't know which to go for. John Betts seems a lovely school and I am worried that WLFS is still untested, but they are quite impressive. I would love to hear anyone else's thoughts on them both.

Bumping myself - is there anyone out there????

JB has a miniscule catchment. They've also run a bulge class relatively recently so sibling numbers are likely to be higher than usual this year and last, so you probably need to live pretty much next-door.

I know someone who has a child in YR at WLFSP. Apparently Toby Young has been astonishingly rude to them and to other parents (I was left very at what I was told - I can't imagine the HT or governors at DD's school ever shouting at anyone the way). Lots of teachers are unhappy apparently and turnover is high.

Their child seems very happy there - and they were thrilled when they got the place, but they are now looking around and putting her name on waiting-lists for other primaries in the area just in case.

With what I have heard and the fact that the school is totally untested and has yet to have a complete cohort, I wouldn't have it as my top choice.

Just to add, the parents are very close friends, so I have no reason to doubt what I was told was said to them - they were very shocked and upset.

They are weighing up what to do - child is very happy and learning, academic standards may prove to be very high and they will get priority admission to the WLFS later on.

On the other hand, is it healthy to stay in a school where teachers are obviously unhappy, high staff turnover is not in a child's best interests where learning is concerned and are there going to be significant numbers of parents trying to get places in other primaries in a year or so thus reducing their chance of getting out if they really need to.

I'm in a totally different area of London so have no idea about other options in the area.

Brackenbury always looks nice and normal in a way that John Betts is a bit precious. So many of the y6s there are doing private school exams that any good results are most likely a reflection of the tutoring that goes on. And apparently the atmosphere during y6 is absolutely toxic (apparently over half the class is applying to one local private and it's created quite a lot of rancour between parents).

Mind you, I'd rather any school than one associated by Toby Young but that's just prejudice on my part.

I am local to you too, was going to suggest you look at Brackenbury which I assume you would be close enough to, as well as depending on where you are exactly other schools - Greenside has just had a Good Ofsted judgement, St Stephens is a great school (W12 and you have to be CofE tho). John Betts is a lovely school and I know many happy parents there but it is a TINY catchment.

I also second the comments on Y6 results - look at value added rather than attainment in Y6.

I wouldn't worry about a school that is new as such - tho some of the comments above suggest they are still finding their feet. Are the children happy, are they making progress are what I would be asking (or trying to find out)

I never normally msg but had to scribble to defend WLFS - my DC is there, and very happy, learning lots, great teachers, busy PTA.

Friendly parents - definitely a hard-working, involved, enthusiastic bunch - perhaps more than others because of it's free school status. I know of a few who toyed with John Betts but chose WLFS as staff younger, and fresher team. For example, last term, my DC went on two class theatre trips, and my goddaughter in John Betts reception class didn't do any.
John Betts obviously a great school, more established etc, but I would choose WLFS over JB.
Thumbs up from this end. Headmistress Miss Da Silva is very on the ball - I never thought I would be so pleased with a school.

Hi there, and thank you all for your replies (sorry it took me so long to reply but norovirus hit us!). That's lots to think about. Perhaps John Betts might not be the right choice (someone else has since mentioned some issues there too regarding the competition in Y6) so I will have a look at Brackenbury too now. A decision has to be made tomorrow!

We have a DS in reception at WLFS primary and with regards to the learning side we are delighted. He has been on several trips, two theatre trips. A forthcoming trip to Westminster Abbey, and the standard of teaching seems to be ok. DS has made enormous progress in just a few months, and is enthused about learning.
Compared to peers who only get one reading book get sent home each week, whereas we get 5 books.
We have niggles with the admin side of the school - it seems hopelessly disorganised and we have had a couple of unpleasant encounters with the head being unnecessarily brusque. Not surprised that in one term, they lost an Assistant Head and a Year 1 class teacher. Both staff members left without jobs to go to.

WLFSP wasn't our first choice of school (we put John Betts first but as 2012 was a bulge year, in 2014 there were more siblings than normal).

All in all, there are many positives about the place. The one major concern I have is the secondary - I know it is on the Tatler state school list etc etc, however the staff turnover is truly abominable. However, unless one is Catholic, the secondary options in the area are really poor. So it's the best of what is available.

Bump.
Hi All,
We've been made an offer for WLFSP. Just wanted to gather everyone's feelings on it? Friends daughter is currently in Year 1 at the school and tells me staff turnover is insane at the school. In saying that, she can't stop singing the praises of the brand new Year one teachers. Apparently they can the other staff members a thing or two about communication with parents.
What's everyones thoughts on this school? We are unsure!

WLFS has had a horrendous staff turnover rate. I would avoid it.

We know several WLFS parents. The parents we know best are ok with the school rather than happy. They picked it so their child could get into the secondary. I will say that the parents we know are a great bunch. The quality and amount of parental input appears to be great.

JB seems like a slightly soulless prep crammer from what I've heard.

You never hear a bad word about Brackenbury and when DH visited he found it delightful. Sadly we are out of catchment.

WLFS primary is ok. Most people I know have picked it to get into the secondary. Unless you're going private at 11, then WLFS is pretty much your only local choice.
From what I hear, most kids at John Betts head to private at secondary, and the way that the priority admissions for WLFS secondary is heading, if you don't go to the primary you don't have much of a chance to get in at 11.

I'm a current parent at WLFSP. DC is in Reception. We considered and visited Brackenbury, John Betts and WLFSP before making WLFSP our first choice.

We liked the idea of what WLFSP was setting out to achieve and took what maybe seemed like a bit of a risk. In it's favour we liked the class spaces, the outdoor space and the fact that it seemed young, ambitious and energetic. JB and Brackenbury seemed like good schools too, we just got a better feel from WLFSP.

Having been there almost a year our observations, in no particular order, are;

• DC's teacher and Teaching assistant are excellent. Beyond excellent.
• DC is very happy
• We've met a great group of parents and children. Our daughter has made lovely friends and there is plenty of socialising with other school families, if that's what you're into.
• The parents we've met are very committed, active and involved making for a positive community vibe.
• The school is incredibly active arranging activities for the children as mentioned by @CautionConcealedEntrance. This year they have visited Westminster Abbey, Science Museum, Handel House, the Lyric Theatre and are heading to Salisbury Cathedral for a special 'Magna Carta 800th Anniversary' day out.
• They recently arranged special puppetry program where all 120 students made their own puppets in school, then put on a play for the parents. All done within 1 week. It was incredible and DC got an incredible thrill out of being part of it,
• There is an amazing array of after school clubs, all run by the teachers - this year DC has done; Cooking, French & Performing Arts. Other clubs included Science Club, Yoga(!), choir and others i can't remember
• There is an active PTA who run regular, successful fund-raising events for the school.
• Staff turnover - This hasn't affected us or any other of the reception classes (i believe), though i understand that a year 1 class had a teacher leave and it took some time to find a replacement resulting in a series of supply teachers so this may be the source of the 'insane turnover' comment. This was a real concern for the parents of the affected class, though I understand that it has been resolved now and they've found a great teacher. According to a teacher-friend apparently staffing schools in London is a problem affecting all schools due to the cost of living among other things. Deputy heads are, apparently, particularly difficult to recruit - so I'm not sure that this is a WLFSP only thing, or if it should be considered as a poor reflection on WLFSP.
• I haven't experienced any rudeness from the Headteacher or Governors. I've attended the Governors meetings and found them professional and reasonably open, if not exactly cuddly. That said i haven't challenged them directly on anything so can't comment on how they respond to that.
• As mentioned by @CautionConcealedEntrance the head can be no-nonsense but i think she is probably working incredibly hard, is doing a great job and genuinely wants the school to be a success. Word on the street is that the recent Ofsted inspection is very, very favourable which is proof that a good job is being done. So watch that space.
• Out of all the parents I talk to, I'm not aware of anyone who is unhappy with the school. Most, if not all, are very happy

Phew. Sorry. Got a bit carried away there.

Anyway, in summary... The school is new and growing so it's maybe not as 'safe' as John Betts in that respect but based on our experience over the past year we're really happy with the choice and would (and do) recommend it to anyone.

These views are my own and reflect my own direct and personal experience as a parent. I hope it helps someone!

West London Free School Primary just got an "outstanding" from Ofsted and a glowing textual report to accompany the grade.

John Betts is also outstanding but the recently departed head apparently let things slip a little towards the end and the looming Ofsted re inspection is likely to be lower. The new Head sounds good though.

Regardless of Ofsted both are great schools. As is Brackenbury. The OP lives in a neighbourhood with three incredible choices (more if you can convince the authorities you believe in God) so really no choice is going to be the wrong choice.

Sorry to revive zombie thread but does anyone know about John Betts/Brackenbury/wlfs likely admissions in next couple of years? JB only took siblings last year I understand but they won't tell me if they anticipate the same this year (surely they must know). I wonder how long we will see the effect of the 2012 bulge class on admissions?

Any info on how you found Brack or Wlfs most appreciated too x