Blackheath Village, SE London

[SE3mum]

Hello!

I am about to move to Blackheath Village, South East London after living overseas for a few years.
I have a just turned 4 year old and a 1 year old.
I am starting to look into schools as I understand that for state schools I have to apply by January.
The two closest state schools are John Ball and All Saints. I visited All Saints last week and really liked it but what are the realistic chances of getting in there as I do not go to church?
I am due to visit John Ball next month but it seems huge! I went to a small village school and have no idea what to expect from such a large primary school.

I am also considering private schools but friends tell me I have already left this too late for my eldest.... really? I called Heath House and they said they have a wait list for reception next year and it is unlikely my son would get a place.
Blackheath Prep said it is unlikely they will have space as they fill their reception classes from their nursery but I could put him in for assessment if a space came up
Is there anywhere else I can/ should consider? I am currently staying with family a few hours away but can travel to visit schools.

Thank you.

Welcome to the neighbourhood!

You are unlikely to get a place at All Saints if you aren't a regular church goer - last year no "open" offers were made - only 18 faith offers and 8 sibling offers. You can see the numbers here: www.allsaints.lewisham.sch.uk/Our-School/Admissions/

You will get John Ball if you live in the Village (unless you are on the Cator Estate side) and it's a very good school. There's also St Margarets Lee.

In terms of independent schools, definitely a good idea to go on the waitlists as they always tend to move. You can also look at Pointer School, Blackheath High (girls) and Colfe's - all brilliant schools.

Thanks typstricks

I saw the admissions for All Saints online but the headmistress said that church family siblings would be given foundation places.... I really cannot make sense of their admissions procedure!

St Margaret's looks tougher than All Saints.

Brooklands - is that really just for Cator Estate residents? We are the Lewisham side of the village

Hmm I know that a few years ago, the numbers were much better for open offers - around 8-10.. maybe the siblings are of those older children? Any way, it's a good idea to have backups if you do have All Saints as a choice (I think John Ball is your most likely offer if you are on the Lewisham side). Brooklands is unlikely from the Village.

John Ball is a great school. I was literally just up in the village today, it's a lovely place to live.

I hadn't looked at Pointers as I assumed it was closer to Blackheath Standard but it is virtually next door to Blackheath Prep.

Thank you for your help.

The stats on the all saints' website aren't for admission into 2018-19 (current reception year) but for 2017-18 (current year 1). Since then there has been a change to the admissions policy and now there are 15 places for non-faith entry rather than 10. Sibling numbers have been higher than usual in the last two years as the current year 2 is a bulge year and this obviously has an affect on sibling entry further down the school, particularly in a 1 form entry school. Whereabouts are you in blackheath? If you're near the school I'd say that it's worth putting it down.

FWIW, my dd is there and is absolutely thriving and we love the school, but john ball and the Indies are all great schools too.

Thank you blacklamb I am going to be within the parish and so pretty close to the school.

Then I'd say it's definitely worth putting it down, but make sure that you have a "banker" lower choice. If you live in the parish close to the school then you should be fine for John ball.

The changes to the admissions policy and the impact of the bulge class (which statistically should be lower for 2019-20, but that's only statistically of course!) mean that it's much harder to predict entry than it has been in previous years.

Thanks again! I do wish they would/ could publish data on potential number of siblings - it would save everyone a lot of time and worry. I can't believe two families didn't get a place for siblings last year - it is a definite consideration and will put me off accepting a place even if we did get one

I believe that the two siblings in question did end up getting places. The list on the website is that of places that were originally allocated on national offer day, not after any subsequent appeals which is what happened here.

Unfortunately the effect of the bulge year is more pronounced in a one form entry school than in a multi-class school as you effectively double the size of the intake for one year. This has in part tried to be addressed by the increasing of the non-foundation places from 10 to 15.

I personally know of 4 siblings who will be going into reception in 2019: two will be foundation places and two I don't know. But there are probably other siblings who I don't know.

Op in my opinion there is no need to pointers or private if you can get into John Ball - it seems to be a fabulous school - great grounds too for a state school.

It might be more like secondary that you start considering your options but save your hard earned cash at be primary level.

I'd choose John ball over Pointers any day.

Brooklands does have a v small catchment as only a one form entry. I hear Wingfield is expanding its entry size so you might stand a chance there? But really no advantage to it over John Ball?

Joined this thread to see thoughts on Brooklands as the ofsted report pre dates the new head.

Regarding All Saints, I think it depends on the year. I know that Sept ‘18 intake did take new families who are not part of the church so there is hope. The stats published appear to be an unusual year.

Most primary schools in this area are pretty good, even if they're not as high-achieving at the end of Y6. There's a guide on the Mummy's Gin Fund website about primary school admissions that helps you to work out which your closest schools are - that might be worth having a look at.

It's also worth visiting schools such as Wingfield and Morden Mount; both have a much more mixed intake than somewhere like All Saints but I prefer them both for it. And they both have fabulous headteachers/heads of school.

Just to add I went to a tiny village school and was really worried when my DC started in a South East three form entry school but have been really happy and impressed, so don't be put off my John Ball being large. I don't know about John Ball now but 5 years ago I was told it was a great school, sadly we had to move from living on its doorstep!

Just to update - we have put All Saints first and John Ball second then Brooklands and Wingfield (although I think we are pretty much guaranteed a place at John Ball).

I am still not 100% happy about the size of John Ball and the reception classroom - it seemed like it was one big room, for 90 children!

We also have an interview with the Pointers head next month - although having looked at it I am not sure it is worth the £13k+ a year fees and the location right on the A2 and next to a petrol station is hardly ideal.

Now we wait!

Parttime1, I cannot fault it, it's a excellent school and many of the children do go on to the local grammars (Bexley, St Olavs, Chis and Sid, Beths, Dartford boys and girl, Townley and even Colfes and Blackheath high or indies like blackheath high, Colfes, St Dunstains).

You should be very, very pleased !! I would not even consider paying for a prep and both John Ball and All Saints will provide a really excellent grounding for secondary, save the money honestly.