N1 primary - desperate for advice

[orinocco1]

Hi. We are looking for primary schools in islington and the Gower is in a great location - but I keep hearing about the Head being somewhat 'tricky' to get along with, and a related high turnover of staff, which worries me. Has anyone had experience of this school and/or any advice. We are also looking at Cavendish but the location of Gower would be much better for us. Many many thanks in advance for any advice.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/1835481-Gower-school-islington?pg=20&order=

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3185847-Gower-school-discussion-2

Hi, the other threads about the Gower on this board would put me right off. However, I do know someone with a child there who is happy with it—though has stories about the head.

I’ve met people who’ve been very happy with it. Have you looked round? What did you think?

The issues you have just described with the Gower Most definitely apply to the Cavendish. A newish Headmistress who is unpopular with many of the parents and significant turnover of staff.

I know it's not what you asked but are you wedded to private? I honestly don't see any particular benefits to going to Cavendish or Gower over the (largely excellent) Islington primary schools. If you want a selective secondary you'll have to get a tutor from either option.

Can I assume that you are looking at the Cavendish because it is "non selective" and "mixed abilities"? Just a note of warning, the Cavendish is exactly the opposite of the Gower school. It is a highly academic school with several children who left the school because of "learning difficulties" i.e. not keeping up with the academic pace the school likes to see. If you dont mind that Cavendish could be for you but if you are looking for a more relaxed environment, go for Gower or another school.

Thanks so much for your helpful contributions. We aren't wedded to private but if we are going down that route need to decide now. We are also considering Thornhill and St Andrews, out of catchment for William Tynedale. We weren't looking at Cavendish because it is non-selective, though I'm not particularly interested in a pushy school - I'm pretty confident my daughter will manage fine without that environment and would like her to enjoy her primary years! I hadn't been aware of any negative comments about Cavendish, so that is an interesting insight!

The changes in the Cavendish have been recent. Anecdotal evidence would suggest Cavendish embark on a policy of selection by exclusion. It is now highly academic.

You seem to be prioritising distance when looking at privates (i.e. you're rightly reluctant to slog to Hampstead daily) but from what I gather the two that you're looking at aren't really worth the money/hassle.

What's your end game? What secondaries would you be interested in? I know kids in a range of Islington primaries (though mainly Tyndale, Canonbury and Thornhill) and the able ones that have wanted to go to selective secondaries have done so (Highgate, City, South Hampstead, UCS, Latymer Edmonton, Dame Alice etc).

I honestly don't see the benefit of somewhere like the Gower. I know loads of families there and on the plus side they're a really nice bunch and feel that they've made loads of friends and bonds there. On the negative, they're all ambivalent about the school/head and at least one has said she advises younger parents to go for a decent state if they have that option.

So true PatienceVirtue. We had a place at Canonbury Primary back in the days but went for Cavendish, a choice I now regret very much. Not worth the money at all, quite the opposite. We also looked at Gower and although there were many happy parents (not sure about kids), we also met some at the Cavendish who had left Gower for all sorts of reasons... Whatever you decide, good luck! We are very lucky to be living in a borough with so many good state primaries.

We only had personal experience with the Gower nursery. We loved it despite of some of the demands from parents. My son learned so much even at such young age! I suspect the reason we had a really good experience at the nursery could be that the head is not really involved as she is with the school. (Or was the case when we were there) I know many of the kids we were at nursery with all went on to the school. They are all great kids and parents. Go see for the school and meet the head and decide for yourself. We eventually moved out of N1 because we weren't in catchment to any good primaries but would have gone to Gower if we stayed.

Cavendish is a good, happy school. Relatively laid back, would not call it academic. Moderate to low volume of home work, good variety, extremely nice parent community.
If you are just choosing between Cavendish, Gower and state primaries, Cavendish is by far the better choice.

Out of interest, what then makes Cavendish better than a state school? I’d have thought being academic would be the biggest distinguishing feature between state and private generally.

And being single sex of course. Which I think is v weird at primary level, but obviously lots would disagree.

Private vs state is more about breadth and richness of curriculum, I think. Resources, educational toys, specialised teachers for French, ballet, PE as part of curriculum from nursery...

IMHO, personal attention and much more tailored tuition are much more important than academics for early years.

At Cavendish there is a good deal of individually tailored teaching at all levels. And they do try to stretch your DD if she is at the more academically able end of the spectrum. In my experience, state schools are more concerned about the other end of academic ability.

Compared to private hothouses Cavendish do not drown you in tons of home work, and that gives you a lot of freedom to spend evenings with your DD as you see fit.

If you are after a truly academic school, there are other choices that would have higher impact.

Thornhill Primary School is excellent. You need to live within an approx. 10 minute walk from the school to get in as it is so oversubscribed.