walker primary school/Ashmole Academy

[Sims13]

Hi please any input about walker primary school specially after it has been converted into an academy.
Also any feedback regarding ashmole.would you consider it better or in the same league.

We are looking at sending our daughter to reception 2021.

Thankyou.
x

Have a child at Walker. Were not there before the academy decision so can’t do a before and after comparison but very pleased with the school so far. New buildings were supposed to be completed for this school year but were delayed due to covid but should be in in the new year with everything done well in time for 2021.

As to how 2 compare I think it’s hard to say as the first intake of ashmole has not yet got to y6 so results can’t be compared. But ashmole got an outstanding on its first ofsted. Know people who’s children are there and happy. Modern facilities and you get automatic entry to secondary which is a big plus.

Walker is a good school c/o ofsted. I’ve no crystal ball but wouldn’t be surprised if they get outstanding next time. Recently listed in the top 250 primary schools in England in the Sunday times. So top 2%. Ranked by results.

Personally think the head is better at Walker but that’s just a personal view and impression.

However I think you would be extremely lucky to get into both schools on distance on offer day. I think there’s one road in the area where that would be possible! I’m not sure if waiting lists change a huge amount but you may find you’d get into one or other depending on where you live so have a look at the last distance offered for the last 2 years. Ashmole is in Barnet and Walker in Enfield. Right on the borders for both schools.

Last year Walker went out to 0.4 and ashmole less than 0.2. I think they are changing to admissions criteria for ashmole in that last year, siblings of secondary school pupils got priority but now it will only be siblings of children at the primary. That may make a difference but ashmole seems to be hugely sought after so you could still live v close but miss out. Think the automatic entry into the secondary is a huge draw for people.

So in sum both very good schools but you’re unlikely to be in catchment for both, at least on offer day.

Good luck.

Hi pip24
Thankyou so much for such a detailed input.
My main goal was to find out about the current head and primarily if things are still as good at walkers as few years ago.
Thankyou ,i am actually quite excited about the new building and hopefully the facilities are upgraded too.
I have read online becoming an academy is not good for a school, personally have zero info and opinion regarding same.so was worried if that is not going to ne a good thing for walker ,going forwards.

Lots of love.
xoxo

Thankyou so much for such a detailed input.
My main goal was to find out about the current head and primarily if things are still as good at walkers as few years ago.
Thankyou ,i am actually quite excited about the new building and hopefully the facilities are upgraded too.
I have read online becoming an academy is not good for a school, personally have zero info and opinion regardingsame.sowas worried if that is not going to ne a good thing for walker ,going forwards.

Lots of love.
xoxo

No problem. I’m not an expert on the impact of becoming an academy. Someone else might come along soon! I heard that there was a controversy at the time of decision with some parents for and against but have heard no grumbling so far about it since our child started there. I did ask when we went on the tour and was given a fairly good answer. They said it allowed them to still have a lot of autonomy but tap into the resources/expertise of the academy trust. There is further details on the website.

They seem to be very on the ball with online learning and ramping that up in terms of kit which is good to see.

I really like the head. She’s very hands on and visible. At school gates most mornings and afternoons. As is the deputy. They seem to exude both complete competence as well as being very friendly and approachable to both pupils and parents.

It seems to me that Walker may have had a bit of a dip a few years ago but feels like it’s going from strength to strength at the moment.

But we have limited exposure and history with the school do someone else may pop up with more of a longer term perspective.

But based on our experience so far I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. We have full confidence in the school and most importantly our child loves going there every day which is the most important thing to us.

I don't have any experience of Ashmole but have been into Walker on/off on a professional basis for a few years (have name changed and if I include my profession I'll out myself).

It felt like a bit of a mixed bag to me. Some lovely staff and some quite unfriendly staff and quite a lot of staff changes over the years (a mass exit just before the current head took over iirc). Head is very visible but other senior staff weren't when I was there at least.

Really high standards academically but facilities and behaviour were quite poor imo. Hopefully the new build will solve a lot of the facilities issues but it just felt too small for the number of children there and everything felt a bit old and tired. Very little space for intervention groups or 1:1 working and therefore children often having to work in portacabins which wasn't ideal. In comparison to other schools I've been in there seemed to fewer 'big behaviour' incidents but low level disruption was almost constant and behaviour management from a lot of staff wasn't great. Almost every assembly I attended had children talking and messing about unchallenged. If it was an assembly where there were visitors present the head would walk around reminding everyone that there were visitors in a stage whisper and trying to get staff to gain control of their classes which was unfortunately a bit comical! A supply teacher told me a few years ago that she'd never go back as behaviour was so poor, and I don't think she did.

It felt to me as if they tolerated a lot of low behaviours (talking over teachers, bickering, pushing, calling out, running in corridors, challenging adults etc) because their academic results and reputation in the community are good and because behavioural incidents don't seem to escalate to dangerous or completely unacceptable levels. I found it a bit of a trying environment as a professional but families who send their children there may see it differently.

Hi,

My eldest daughter is in Year 2 at Walker and my youngest daughter will start in Reception in 2021. I have nothing but positive things to say about the school. To me it is the whole package - strong, visible and effective leadership, an inclusive atmosphere, fantastic results and a beautiful location which makes it feel more like a village school than a London one. My daughter has been extremely happy there and has formed strong friendships - as have I. All her teachers have been great and both the headteacher and deputy are exceptional.

During lockdown and the return to school for some pupils in June the school was exemplary. They will move into the brand new building in January which everyone is excited about.

That being said, I have heard excellent things about Ashmole and I really don't think you can go wrong with either. If you are fortunate to be in the catchment for both I think it will be more about going with your gut. I know it must be hard not being able to physically visit schools but honestly, I think they are both great options.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.