Richmond Borough Primary Applications

[Eleusis]

I know it's not 9:00 yet, but if you go to the website you can get your application results now. I just did, and I am so so so so glad we got in to the school of our choice. Ok, WE didn't get in, DD did.

Yippee!!!!!

Sadly, not in this case. There are about 3 schools in the borough that are not oversubscribed this year. This is one of them.

What about Stanley Infants or Trafalgar?
i have friends with children at both who seem very happy with it.

Wow, are there really only 3 schools in the whole borough which are not oversubscribed?

I'm still trying to work out HFI... HAmpton __?

Heath....., I should think.

In fact there are 3 pikey no hope schools.
the ones with places.
I've actually been to look at them. From the outside. It was enough.
My four year old does not have a tattoo. And can't carry a flick-knife so he is not going to any of those schools.

Back to the drawing board!

don't use the word pikey

...and I know children at at least one of those schools and they are not knife carrying, tattoo laden children

appeal based on the distance problem, I can see why you're pissed off, really I can but labelling children that way is UNNECESSARY

Does anyone know when the independent schools will be sending out admissions results?
Apparently us plebs will know if we are offered scraps from the table when people have been given their offers and rejected the state school places. So now I'm keen to know when this takes place.

Bitter, moi???

every school is different but most should already know

they normally hold onto the independent place and wait and see what state school they get offered

the waiting lists do move alot (make sure you are on more than one if you can)

Foxy - given my background I'm allowed to take the mickey out of myself and my background.

NO offence intended.

I understand how pissed off you are - I would have bene livid had I not got into one of our local schools (interestingly, we were told by the local church school not to even bother applying)

have you looked at schools that are closer but with shorter waiting lists?

(it's just those schools do have traveller children who use them, that's all re the use of pikey)

The schools we applied for were the local ones - and we are on the waiting lists. But unless two of them agree to bulge classes we won't get a place at any local school.

The closest school with vacancies is two bus rides away.

We have applied for place at a private school.

No matter what happens (and I think I harbour a very dim hope of a place if we cause enough stink) this is unacceptable. I saw mums crying in the school grounds last week - it's horrible. The same thing happens every year apparently. Just that this year is worse than most.

Same here. The term was NOT intended as an insult to any children, or anyone for that matter. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. I forget that it is not as easy to "joke" when not face to face and I truly apologise for offending you and anyone else. I can assure you I am far from a bigot or even a snob. Just want a decent education for my son, which I do not believe the relevant schools offer.

Anyway, that cleared up (I hope?), the schools are not Trafalgar or Stanley, amida - these are good schools (Trafalgar was in fact my second choice after our church school).

it does happen every year - one of the worst ones (before this one) was the school year starting (reception) September 2005

at dd and ds's school, they started a permanent bulge class from Sept 04 (so now a 3 class entry primary school) and this year they were STILL outrageously oversubscribed despite having the extra class in place for a few years.

they will have to consider a bulge class/classes - problem is that as there are places at other schools, they won't be keen (but you know what, I bet there aren't THAT many places available at those schools iyswim).

Also, bulge classes are a pain (for admin reasons) because of the extra teacher each year that is needed - think they may have to consider making another school 3 classes rather than 2 (but then, that requires space).

decaf - i knew you weren't referring to stanley or trafalgar. i was just asking whether anyone had any view on them as i have heard only good.

anyway, hope you all get it sorted soon. it sounds hideous. i am dreading it all next year already.

out of interest, if this does happen every year, then what do people do? or does it just all work itself out in the end?

Sorry! Getting it all wrong today .

We have a friend who is a governor and parent at Trafalgar and all accounts that I've heard about it (re teaching and resources/facilities) from him and other parents are very good.

Decaf, what was the church school you put down?

Trafalgar is over subscribed. My friend is number 20 on the waiting list.

This does happen every year when there is a panic over 30 - 40 places. This year they are 230 places short.

It seems that every 3 years there is a 'bulge' year. This year is by far the worst yet.That's why the Admissions authority is 'suprised'.

I think I can sort out their suprise: when you redevelop a previously nonresidential site (the ice rink) and turn it into lots of residential units - two thirds of which is 'family' accommodation - people will have children and need schools. and nurseries. And hospitals. A wee bit of planning would not go amiss here!

Rant over (well, for now!)
Gorgoeus day. we are off to feed the ducks.....

St James's

I think St. James has now get this a catchment area in St. Margarets. So, Oxo, you probably should have applied there. I gues that because there is no catholic school in St. Mags the parents got together and arranged the St. James would take Catholic kids from whatever parish they are in. So, it's not really closest to the school.

And, AC (COE school), takes nursery kids a a priority so if you wait until reception to apply you probably wouldn't get in even if you lived on the Green.

Do you go to the church for St. James?

Yes. 8am mass usually. You?

So, you do go to the church, and you still failed to get in? Do you know where you are on the waiting list.

We got ot Holy Trinity. And DD is going to AC.

Posted this on a similar thread - The council is 'approaching local schools to look at provision of bulge classes'. Myabe if the glut in demand is where you are they might fit one in? Schools aren't keen on bulge classes becuase it has a knock on effect on logisitcs for years to come as siblings of the bulgers also create further demand in lower years, even when the original bulge class has 'flushed through' to secondary.
A few years ago my DC school temporarily accommodated a school which had not yet been built (! top council, Richmond...!)and an almighty stink broke out (law of unintended consequences or plain incompetence) because they opened a hiherto unused gate, whcih meant that measurements of distance were 'distorted' ( or 'fairer' - depending where you live!!!) and children in rads which were previously 'bankers' to get in didn't. They then permanently closed the gate on 'health & safety' grounds - crazy decision becuase it meant that children who live closer to the school were excluded, and thse that lived further away were okay.
DS1 entered primary 3 years after a bulge class, whcih meant that since most people havea t tleast 2 kids and have them 2 or 3 years apart, the effect of the bulge was to make it almost impossible for non-siblings to get in that year if you revert aftert he bulge year to two-form entry. so in DS year of 60 there were, I think, 11 non-siblings, whcih does distort the dynamic! So all his friends have older sibling(s), none have younger.
By the time DS2 joined two years later, the effect was that there were suddenly vast nuimbers of places for first borns, so he is one of the few 'eldest' - there are many more now with younger siblings, and the catchment has widended out again. So a bulge class is not just a quick fix with no downside..

there's a big shuffle around now while parents accept places - I was given a date (last year admittedly) to call the admission office to see where dd was on the waiting lists.....and then called every few weeks afterwords to see if there had been any movement. such stress, I know. hope all goes well ( they are v v helpful at the office answering all your questions and concerns, or maybe even worth a visit in person)

Sorry - I mean DS2 is one of the few 'youngest siblings' - can't concentrate today...