Muswell Hill Primary school options

[hevans26]

Hi

Apologies to go over repeat ground but I wondered if anyone had up to date information on Muswell Hill Primary schools.

We are thinking of moving to MH and need to decide which area/school to prioritise. This would be for a reception 2019 start and a possible inter year move for our other child- currently in year one.

I've heard that Muswell Hill Primary is excellent - great results, friendly but new head- unknown quantity...

Coldfall- Great results, friendly community- very big- daunting for quite a shy child??

Tetherdown- I think that we have decided against this one- not outstanding, worst results in the area despite posh/tutored kids.

St James' Primary- again great results- not sure what the community is like and is it very religious?

Really appreciate any advice.
Many thanks in advance

Not local but you've left out Rhodes Avenue.

Such an individual choice.

I'm fairly local so I've got friends or family in all schools and they are all good choices. However, I think it's a massive mistake to make decisions based on Ofsted and the results. The difference between Good and Outstanding might not have any impact whatsoever on the children and the results tells you very little about the schools'abilities and environment. For Primary, I think they key is to look at the children - how happy are they, could you see your child amongst them? Furthermore, look at the head teacher and the school. What are the ethos? Do they match yours? As already mentioned, Rhodes is a super popular school that I've heard great things about so would definitely consider that too.

I live in the area and have a child at Tetherdown Primary School. To me, all MH primaries are relatively comparable (apart from Rhodes Avenue as it does get consistently better test results) and your child's experience will most likely be determined by other, potentially random factors. It makes sense getting a feel for each school and assessing your commute options (Rhodes Av is not that great in that respect).

I cannot comment on the other primaries but Tetherdown is actually a very friendly and happy school. Their 2018 SATs (results released in Dec) will be a step up from 2017 and it is a tight-knit community of professional/ quite involved parents. I disagree with the posh/ tutored kids label. Firstly, some amount of preparation (tutoring or not) will be required if you are eyeing grammar school/ 11+ exams. The school is located in the nicer end of Muswell Hill and has good facilities but I would not say living in close vicinity makes you 'posh' by current London standards. It is nice for sure and the emphasis is on the overall wellbeing, as opposed to hothousing.

Hope this helps!

I think the inter year transfer is important. More difficult in some schools than others, and depends on your current school if a two school drop off is viable. Try calling the school admissions team and see if they can advise you on year 1 in year transfer waiting lists per school.

All the primary schools are great, but have very different feels and facilities.

As well as Rhodes, don't forget Our Lady of Muswell - just got Outstanding Ofsted, and takes Catholic and non faith children

Tetherdown is actually a very good school, nice atmosphere, very happy children, and usually results are good - plenty to on to selective schools. In fact all the schools son the area are good, it'll be a question of which school has placed mid year, I think.
I've worked in some of the schools mentioned and would have been happy to send my children to any of them.

Sorry, predictive text made a bit of mess of my post, but I'm sure you get my drift.
I agree with what Cassie said. Most schools will arrange a visit so you can get a feel , but speak to the Admissions people so that you know where there are vacancies.

A friend of ours their children go to Rhodes Ave. It sounds like it is teeming with tiger parents. They have 5 streams in a year and their child is in stream 4/ 5 despite being above national average. DD1 aged 6 is already demoralized. Most of the parents are tutoring their own children before and after school. It sounds too much ...

Rhodes has become a hothouse really. They my expect huge amounts from really young kids. MHP has really poor facilities and quite a few behaviour problems. It would actually be my last choice. St. James would be my pick for a good balance.

Sorry or Coldfall. It's hard to find anyone who has a bad thing to say about Coldfall.

Hollickwood is worth a look - lovely small community school with children from a mix of backgrounds. Ofsted is 'only' Good compared to schools on the wealthier side of MH but the staff are wonderful and the children thrive. Tutoring is unheard of (so if that's your thing then you might be better off at Rhodes 😉)

Most MH schools will have lots of kids being tutored from about year 4 as plenty will be aiming for grammar or private at the 11+, it's just a fact of life.