Advise on two Primary School in Twickenham

[julia3006]

Hello everyone, this is my first post on mumsnet; I am not sure if this is the right place to raise my question, but I still hope for your friendly response.
I am relocating to UK within the next 12 months from another (non-English speaking) country. I have a 7 years old son who has just started to learn English, so by the time we move he is very unlikely to develop such a level of English speaking skills to be able to easily continue his studies with the children of his age. I will not be able to afford independent schools. When I move, I will stay in Twickenham for at least one year. I have made as much remote research as I could possible do, and I have shortlisted St.Jame's Roman Catholic Primary School and St. Mary’s Church of England Primary School to try to apply to. Can anyone give me an informed advice as to whether you think this is a good choice for a boy with limited language capabilities? Also, did anyone encounter a case when such a child was in your class - have other children been kind enough to him/her? My boy is very quiet, obedient, but sociable, open-hearted, friendly and kind, and he is very well developed for his age but I realize language barrier must be a huge challenge to overcome at such age (would be easier it he were younger...)
Thank you all in advance for your help!

Twickenham comes within the borough of Richmond, which is regularly at or near the top of the league tables when it comes to primary schools, so I think you will find that all schools will be pretty good at dealing with your child. It's an area where there is quite a diverse population and most schools will be well used to taking in children with little knowledge of English. Equally I think you will find that the other children will accept your son very easily and will take him under their wings and help him. When my daughter was at a Twickenham school I remember a girl of Russian origins who knew no English turning up: my daughter and two of her friends were assigned to look after her, loved having the responsibility, and were extremely conscientious about making sure they looked after her at break times, included her in their games, was in the right rooms at the right time, etc.

In general children at primary school age do learn English incredibly quickly when they are surrounded by other children speaking the language.

However, one note of caution: most primary schools in Twickenham and Richmond are over-subscribed and you can't necessarily assume you have a free choice. In general you will need to live close to the school you choose to stand a chance of getting in. In addition, you have chosen two church schools which are likely to have their own criteria about church attendance. Check the admissions criteria very carefully when making your choice. And don't be disappointed if you don't get the school you choose, the chances are that the school you are allocated will still be very good.