Applying for a primary school in Dulwich

[SpareWheel]

We can apply for DD to go to primary school in Dulwich in Sept. Looks like the options are:
Rosendale
Dulwich Infants
Bessemer Grange
Dog Kennel Hill

The OFSTED report for Bessemer Grange looks a bit dismal, but otherwise there doesn't look to be much to choose between them. Anyone got any experience of them and how to apply?

Most of these have teeny catchment areas. I'd ring each one to see if you have a chance of getting in. Exactly which part of Dulwich do you live in?

Hello, apologies for sticking my nose it!

What about Goodrich? Sorry if that's wrong spelling, its been about 5 years since I left Dulwich.

We're in the "North Dulwich Triangle" which is kind of like the Bermuda Triangle in terms of the mystery of which school you get into! There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to which school the kids go to from here.

Thanks - I didn't even know about Goodrich, but looking at the Ofsted report (www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/pdf/?inspectionNumber=266885&providerCategoryID=16&fileName=\school\100\s10_100790_20050915.pdf - can't create a link) it got D's for everything (below average) when it was inspected in 2004. Doesn't sound very promising .

My children are at Dog Kennel Hill and the catchment seems about 500m diameter circle around the school at most. Which school is geographically nearest to you? Dulwich Infants is probably the best, though you need to be very close by.

my DD goes to Rosendale and we are happy with it - as are most of the parents I quiz, it's quite big but stll manages to create good community atmosphere and is not too daunting for the little ones (which is what I had worried about) Large school also means larger catchment area of course
I have heard Not Great Things about Bessemer Grange and it seemed a bit chaotic when I went to visit (great art provision though I seem to recall)
Have heard Good Things about DKH but also that catchment area is small
don't know anyone with kids at DI

have you visited any of the schools?

good luck

A friend of mine has kids at Dulwich Infants - she's relatively happy with it, but her eldest (now at the juniors) has dyslexia and the school hasn't dealt with it at all well

Two of my friends are in Dulwich, one likes Goodrich, the other isn't so keen - but their children are quite different. Might be worth finding out when the next inspection is and what they've done to improve.

And don't forget to contact Southwark Counci and see if they have a list of schools and catchment areas.