Info on primary schools in Herne Hill area ... Twiglett?

[imaginaryfriend]

Twiglett, I lost your email address when my computer was updated. I wondered if you might be able to help me more here? Did you mention Bessamer Grange in your email? That seems to be the closest Southwark LEA school but it's not all that close really.

We may be moving to the Herne Hill area and I wondered if anyone has any experience of schools around there? I've got a fairly clear picture of schools in the Southwark LEA but I'm guessing that Lambeth schools might be closer and of those I don't have a clue.

All advice totally appreciated.

bumping myself ...

If you're in Herne Hill you may have a shot at Rosendale (presume we are talking primary here?) which has a very good local rep.

Doh! Just re-read the title.

janinlondon, is it very hard to get into? The place we're looking at is right by Herne Hill station. Would we be close to that school?

Right by the station is very close to St Judes in Lambeth, which has a very good reputation. You would be v close if you are the Brockwell Park side of the station, anyway.

It is CoE, with a provision of places for non-CoE admissions based on proximity, I believe.

Rosendale is also a v popular choice in the area - not quite sure how far the catchment realistically extends atm.

Anyway, imo Herne Hill is a great place to live - I used to live v close to Herne Hill station, and I miss it. I don't live far away now - CAT me if you like!

Thanks Blu, I will definitely CAT you if I need more info. We're testing the water at the moment. I think the flat we may be offered is the other side of the station. The LEA is actually Southwark but all the Southwark schools are quite far from the flat.

I think both St Judes and Rosendale will go by actual proximity regardless of which borough you live in.

Just did some proximity testing to see which schools are closest in miles:

Jessop - 0.13
St Saviors - 0.15
Hill Mead - 0.28
St. Judes - 0.52
St. Johns - 0.55
Loughborough - 0.62
Rosendale - 1.06

Southwark schools are:
Dulwich Hamlet - 0.58
Bessemer Grange - 0.63
Dog Kennel Hill - 1.03
Heber - 1.13

Do you have any CoE credentials?

I only know of Rossendale in Herne Hill which I believe has a very good reputation .. I would strongly recommend, all things being equal, you go for the closest school to you because its fabulous being able to throw yourself out of the door and get to school within 5 - 10 mins .. only walking .. you get to snigger at people who have to drive and find somewhere to park too

No CofE credentials unfortunately Blu. I'm Jewish, although not massively religious.

I agree to an extent, Twiglett, but I've been cycling 0.72 miles to get dd to current school because I like it so much. So I don't mind a small journey if the school's worth it. I'm more worried about not getting a place.

.

St Judes offered DS a place, despite athiest / Hindu parentage.

(he doesn't go there, though)

Do you live very close to St. Judes then? Which school does he go to? (don't feel obliged to answer )

I'm thinking we might have to turn this flat down because it seems we're not really close enough to any of the nicer looking schools. It's so nerve-racking moving home at this crucial moment when dd's about to start Reception. I keep wishing a flat would come up with a nice school on the doorstep and then we could just go for it.

imaginaryfriend, I know moving house is a traumatic business, but I do think you have the primary education problems out of proportion. Before DS1 started school, various people advised me that the local state primary was terribly rough and I should try to get him into one of the better-thought-of schools in the area. I took a look at the local school, really liked it and sent my children there. And they've done well. And it really isn't rough. So, please, take a look for yourself at the school you are most likely to get your child into before you dismiss it out of hand. I note that nobody's posted "Avoid school X like the plague" on here, so the schools in Herne Hill can't be that bad.

Thanks hallgerda. I know I'm being overly paranoid. It's just that the place I currently live has some really truly awful schools which you wouldn't think so to read the reports of. Well, not particularly. I visited them and was shocked by what I saw. I could never have sent dd there and I'm frightened of having no other options. She's my only child and I was told I couldn't have any so I tend to over-research everything. I would definitely go to visit a school before making up my mind but I really do value word of mouth from other mums more local to the schools.