Grasmere vs St Joan of Arc primary schools in Hackney/Islington

[Tmcb4]

Hi all, and happy new year!
We are in the process of choosing a primary school for our DD and can't make up our minds between the Grasmere and the st Joan of Arc.
We live on the border between Islington and Hackney and, even though we are going to fill the application form with all the 6 preferences, these two are the more likely to take her since we are in both catchement areas, so we feel the pressure about which one to put before the other on the form.
We visited both and liked both, even though there are few differences, and both are considered "good" by the Ofsted reports.
We know that the st Joan of Arc has an excellent reputation (maybe even more than the "good" evaluation received from Ofsted), while we haven't heard a lot about the Grasmere.
Also, the st Joan of Arc seems to offer interesting activities and they have a particular interest in music (both a choir and learning of music instruments), which we think our daughter would appreciate.
The Grasmere, on the other hand, is a single form entry, which we would prefer since our daughter doesn't like confusion. The atmosphere there was very open and relaxed, which also we liked.
We are a bit confused as you can see.
Does anyone have experience of either of those schools and would like to share it?
And also (apologies for the naive question but we are both foreigners so we don't know very well how the system works in the UK), does attending a Catholic primary school give more chances to get into a Catholic secondary school?
Many thanks for your help!
We are looking forward to the 15th January when all the doubts will have to be sorted :-)

Hello! Just wondering what school you ended up going with and your experience? Thanks!

Hello. Just wondering which you decided on and what you had learned about both? I’m thinking of Joan of Arc for my 2 girls and have to make a decision quickly!) thanks so much!

Hi,
We ended up in another school, which we thought wouldn't have taken us, the st. John's Highbury Vale. We are very very happy of this school.
We have no direct experience of the st. Joan of Arc. Our neighbours go to school there and are happy, while a friend of us, whose daughter is attending reception, finds it too academic and too religion-oriented.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Good luck for your choice!

@Tmcb4 Wondering what your experiences of St Johns has been in terms of religion? We are really really not religious but we have a good chance of getting in to St Johns next year. Is it quite religious or diversity is welcomed, how are the academic aspects as it seems to have good results? And the school community? Thank you!

Hi,
We honestly have only positive things to say about this school. We are not religious either but we never felt this was an issue. Children are taught religious stuff of course, but even though the focus is on Christianity also other main religions are taught and explained. Diversity is definitely welcomed (last week they held an international day, which was all about celebrating the different cultures, languages and traditions of all the people who are part of the school. The head teacher and all the staff and children were dressed in order to celebrate their heritage, they danced and sang together. It was beautiful and moving).
The community is very warm and welcoming, it is a small school that feels like a village school if it does make sense. The Christian values are stressed in the sense that it is paramount that all the children are kind and caring towards each other - something that is palpable and we really appreciate.
Academically they push quite a lot but in a fun way, our daughter is very happy. They do give some homework - every Friday to be given back on Wednesday. There is usually a bit of math, some handwriting/spelling and some more creative writing. They also ask to read a little every day. Nothing too heavy but it's not a homework free school.
I hope this helps!

Thank you!