Coleridge School Crouch End

[SansaryaAgain]

Has anyone got an recent experience of this school? It has a very good reputation and the last Ofsted inspection rated it Outstanding but that was a couple years ago now. It seems a very big school as it's got 3 form entry, but it's split over two sites.

It's the nearest school in Haringey to me so when DC starts school it'll be between that and Whitehall Park School. WPS is actually closer to us (despite being in a different borough) and smaller but the uniform seems a bit much - blazers and ties in reception! It has a good range of after school clubs though, and I'm not sure what Coleridge offers.

Anyway, would appreciate opinions!

Anyone?

I have heard good things about it but no direct experience so bumping for you. It is an oversubscribed school so have you checked the cut off distance for the last 2 or 3 years to see if you'd get in (they can vary).
Agree about the WPS uniform, a bit much I think. Do look around it though especially if it's your nearest, you want to get a "dead cert" on your list.

We are maybe 400 yards from Coleridge but up until 2 years ago would still not have got in! The catchment area has widened in the last couple of years but I know that could always change.

Friend of mine works there. She loves it and always speak highly of it.

Hi, I have a child there and am happy with it. It's quite a relaxed ethos, no uniform, little formal homework until the later years, and that suits us. It is a very big school, four form entry, and within that you are going to find parents with a whole range of views and experience with the school, from who rave about it to those who feel it hasn't catered so well for their child. On the whole I would say most people are pleased with their experience. Teaching is really good without it being a SATS factory but it can be a little cliquey.

I wouldn't say after-school provision is a strength though, there's not a big after-school club relative to the size of the school and I'm not even sure it will take reception children (sorry, DC is in juniors now so it might have changed). There is a better range of activities - football, craft, dancing, acting etc - after school as they get older but they finish by 4.30. There are childminders who pick up from the school, other people seem to have nannies/au pairs, use grandparents or seem to work flexibly.

Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks Medium, it sounds like the sort of school we'd be keen on. Didn't know it was 4 form entry - that's massive! Shame about the lack of after school provision though - Whitehall Park seems to have a good range in comparison. But I guess we'd just have to look into childminder options.

I know there is also an after school club on Edison rd that picks up children from Coleridge and walks them down to their premises (Google Fair Play Coleridge school) but again it's not lots of children it seems for a school with over 800 pupils!! If you pop in to Coleridge then they might have more information in the office, I'm sure it's an issue for many parents.

Coleridge's after school club do take reception age and I know that they do have spaces come up. The DC that I know that go enjoy it. I wouldn't hesitate to use it if I needed it for mine.
Why not ask them if you can go down for a visit and see it?
My friend has a child at Whitehall Park and there seems to be a bit of a lottery for their after school clubs etc so I'm not sure how it works if you rely on them for your childcare and your DC don't get a place that term, but you could visit them and ask.

Thanks both, that's all really useful information. DC won't be starting til sept 2018 but it's always good to be prepared!