Woodcote and Bandon Hill, Purley and Sutton, advice please!

[fridayatlast]

We are soon moving to Purley and will be equidistant between Woodcote and Bandon Hill. Can anyone tell me what they're like.

I read Woodcote's Ofsted and was a bit concerned but feel parents views are probably more valid in some respects.

Thanks

I know kids at both schools, both have great reputations. Bandon Hill had an Ofsted last term and is "excellent" - there are 2 sites, one (Meadow Field) is through primary from 4-11 and is a 60 intake, the other (Wood Field) currently only has infants but is a new site and will eventually be a through primary, it's a 120 intake.

For both schools though, the admissions distance is pretty small so be careful exactly where you end up, you might not get either (although I've just checked, and last year Woodcote's distance was 5.5 miles, so you'd have had no problem - very unusual looking at previous years data!).

PM me if you'd like, I'm very local :o

Thanks for your reply.

The only other primary nearby that isn't a church school or private is Amy Johnson, do you know anything about that one?

We are in South Croydon at the moment and ds2 is in year 2, I will keep him there and commute until we can get a place somewhere nearer. Although I will need to apply this year for ds3, don't really want them at two different schools.

I had guessed we would go for Woodcote as its closest, but reading the Ofsted made me think again

Thanks again, it's good to hear local people's opinions.

Amy Johnson is 2 form entry on a large council estate, historically it's had issues with absence - mostly caused by term time holidays - and has a poor reputation. Having said that, a friend of DH's is a governor there and is pleased with what's been happening - new head a while back, and some general improvements.

We didn't have it on our list when we applied though.

Woodcote Prinary is Ofsted outstanding - the report was published on Monday.

I can't seem to save the full report on my mobile, but this is the front page

Hi Merlot, yes I was doing a bit more research today and saw they had just been re-assessed as outstanding. Thanks both for the help x

You have to live extremely close to Bandon Hill to get in - ridiculously close. Woodcote's catchment is generally bigger, as they are a 3-form entry. The previous ofsted undoubtably affected applications, hence the very long distance last year - but now they've just been rated excellent, it'll probably not go out as far again. Probably still easier to get into than Bandon hill, though.

Woodcote just got outstanding! It's 3 form entry too. DS is currently 11th on the list and we are 0.6 miles away I think. We are hoping for Smitham down the road as closer to is, but are 3rd on their list. Is be very happy if DS got a place at Woodcote

I know Bandon Hill very well and you basically have to be living on the rooftop of Meadowfield, to get in . Both schools are rated outstanding.

One of my closest friend's children go to Woodcote. She loves it.

both my two are at Woodcote- one in Reception and on in Year Three and I trained to be a TA there.The current Ofsted of Outstanding proves what all the parents believed all along and reflects the amazing teaching there.it is a fantastic choice and so is the nursery.We moved our youngest there from a private nursery and she was reading early,happy,settled and ready for school.It has amazing opportunities including the first school to have an exchange programme to China,lots of clubs and activities and great facilities.