Primary schools in Walton on Thames

[Grovesie]

Hello. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on primary schools in Walton on Thames. We are moving to the area in a couple of months. We will be getting a place in Walton as a 'late application' so may not have a great deal of choice for September 2021 but would welcome any thoughts. My daughter is due to start reception this year. I know there are several schools which have different reputations and I can't tell much from Ofsted reports. I think most of them will be absolutely fine but wonder if any parents in the area have any feedback, namely:
Ashley Cofe- seems like this was the top choice but has changed to an academy recently? I have read threads that suggest it is a bit cliquey?
Walton Oak apparently has a new head but has a mixed reputation.
Grovelands seems to have a very small catchment so I don't think we would get in.
Bell farm seems my top choice and seems like a nice choice.
Thanks anyone for any input.

Hello - Ashley has always been regarded as the 'good' primary in Walton to be honest. But they've had a fairly horrendous year or so (very well-liked headteacher was accused of misbehaviour, pushed out, new head was appointed and then the ex-head was vindicated after an investigation - parents are extremely upset). I doubt you'd get in as a late application but if you're focused on academic/OFSTED ranking, Ashley is the 'best'.

All the others are a mixed bag. My own went to Bell Farm for a bit - there are some great things about it but academically it's pretty poor. Can't comment on the leadership as that's changed since my day. Basically Grovelands, Bell Farm and Walton Oak all reflect the social make-up around here - lots of the 'naice' parents use Ashley (or Cleves for juniors) or go private, so the kids who are in the other primaries can include a higher proportion of children who are a bit challenging or not from homes where schooling is taken very seriously. Nothing awful, but the academic outcomes are not great and I was really disappointed personally with the low academic expectations at Bell Farm.

I'd really recommend bearing Cleves in mind for Y3 onwards, it's a very good school although again pretty oversubscribed. Burhill in Hersham is also very good.

Caveat to all this - mine are GCSE/A Level now so my knowledge is not the most up to date! Good luck

Thanks so much for the reply and all the info. That's interesting insider knowledge, thanks. I think that behaviour and overall well-being are top of my list but yes academic achievements are also important. Thanks again. I'll see where we get to.

We live in this area. My child is at Grovelands and loves it. It's a good school for them. It actually wasn't top of our list and we'd had Walton Oak and Hurst Park ahead, but we were happy to keep them there and not wait for a place at the other schools. We found most of the schools were fairly similar when applying, all rates good and available results were ok so it is hard. But really I think that unless you are desperate for them to go to Ashley for religious reasons any of the schools would be ok. Could give more detail on pm if you like, or perhaps join one of the local fb groups and ask? My dc started reception in 2018 so not too long ago.

Thank you NerdieBird, good to know your child is happy at Grovelands. We have a local friend who's son is going to go there as they live very close by. Interesting that you liked Walton Oak. It seems to have very good facilities and I have heard that there is a new head. Past reviews state that the behaviour there isn't great but maybe it's all changed.
Thanks for your input.

Hi Grovsie did you register your daughter to Growlands ? and could you let me know is she happy? My son will start next Sep we are in between walton and shepperton most of the shcools in walton is closer to us than shepperton. I have looked all the ofstead reports they are all getting good ratings.