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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Hawley Infants School, Camden

7 replies

judypoovey26 · 17/04/2015 06:16

Does anybody have any views on this school, good or bad? We have been allocated a place, but I don't know much about it. Thank you!

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GreenEggsandNaiceham · 17/04/2015 09:03

Hi, I know people who have sent their children there, they actively wanted the school. The only problem seems to be that it is only infants at the moment. You have to apply again for a place in any school with y3 vacancies, so the class gets split up. However I know there are plans to build a junior school, but don't know when that will be. Again, people I know loved the school, but where always planning on moving out of Camden for secondary anyway, so just did it a few years early. I think a lot of children used to go to Kentish Town for the juniors, but now they have reduced their intake considerably so I think the junior destination is probably Brecknock and Carlton . Of course if you move house to be near the Muswell hill secondaries its a different mater....

Do you mind me asking if it was one of your 6 choices?

Congratulations by the way, it's supposed to be a lovely warm and friendly school

londonlife · 17/04/2015 12:16

Yes, at present it's infants only, which has possibly put some people off in the past. Kids have gone on to a variety of schools - I don't know of any in recent years who have gone to Carlton, but yes there may have been a couple that went to Brecknock but that's not one of the usual ones. Usually a few go to Primrose Hill, a few to Torriano, Gospel Oak etc. Lots go on to Barrow Hill - HOWEVER that's all academic now as the new school is being built now or imminently (I'm not sure) - and so anyone starting in reception would be able to go all the way through to Year 6.

I can highly recommend the school. It's a really lovely small nuturing environment. Hopefully that ethos will be able to be continued in the new school (along with the benefit of a swanky new building!) The Head Teacher is fantastic. I imagine that it will become increasingly popular now that the faff of having to move your child after Year 3 has been removed!

Original poster

judypoovey26 · 17/04/2015 22:07

Thank you for the info. It was our first choice and we were surprised we got a place because there are two primaries on our doorstep that are not great, and that I was convinced we would end up being offered. As a result, we accepted a place at a private prep but now I am in a quandary. I wasn't bothered by the Year 3 move because we could have just gone the 7+ independent route but the fact the school will be moving to a new building is very attractive (as long as it's not miles away).
However, as well as class sizes I am concerned that there isn't a single male member of teaching staff according to their website. I have a DS and I think it's really important for boys to have male teachers too, something that isn't always a given at nursery or primary.

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TheTroubleWithAngels · 17/04/2015 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GreenEggsAndNaiceHam · 18/04/2015 09:58

Maybe leave the space for someone who can't afford private then. There is someone in Camden on another thread and they haven't been offered anything.

londonlife · 19/04/2015 12:07

Re male teacher - bear in mind that it's such a tiny school at the moment that there are only 3 class teachers in the whole school (well, 4 including nursery).

Not sure if it's still the case but there was a male teacher until very recently - though not a main class teacher, I think he does/did a day a week in nursery and a day in reception.

Who knows what new teachers there will be, with the expansion.

The new building is in the Hawley Wharf development - off Hawley Road - so a little further north but not far at all.

Can't help you on class sizes - there are never going to be small class sizes as in a private prep school, so if that's a key factor then it wouldn't suit.

MoGa · 30/04/2015 11:10

The new Hawley is due to open September 2016. Only the children in Year 2 will need to move on (and all have secured places for next year).
Currently, class sizes are 29 and there are always at least 2 adults in the Reception year class. I'd say for at least half of the time there is a male present.
Once the school moves, class sizes will be 30 children per class. One big perk is that each class will have its own outdoor area attached to the classroom in addition to the shared common areas.
At the moment, one of the greatest strengths of the school is the involvement of parents. Unlike many other schools in the area, children are welcome to continue using the school grounds after school is finished for an extra 30-40 minutes. This helps bond friendships across the ages (including amongst sibling infants who have yet to start) as well as giving parents and carers a chance to get to know one another.

If you are nervous about the school, pop in with your child after 3:25pm or so to come and say hello and see how your kid feels about the place (not that they'd be at this building for long!). The arrangement after 3:20pm is very informal. School is closed and the playground is effectively "staffed" by the children's carers. If you PM me, I'll be happy to greet you.

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