Best Dulwich/Peckham schools

[KJ133]

Our son starts primary school in Sept 23 so we have started to tour the local schools. We've shortlisted The Belham, Lyndhust and Harris Primary but can't decide between the three. Very keen on the idea of forest school which The Belham and Lyndhurst both provide. Looking for any advice/recommendations from parents with children that currently attend these schools or if there are any other schools worth looking at? After viewing, we've decided against Dog Kennel Hill and Goose Green. Thanks in advance!

Dulwich Village Church of England Infants and Dulwich Hamlet Junior were always well regarded but the catchment used to be tiny.

Have you looked at Bessemer as well, think they have the benefit of onsite nature garden for forest school.

I only personally have experience of DKH my 3 kids love/ed it, as do I.

Have friends with kids at all the other 3 you have mentioned and they are all happy as well.

go with your gut feeling.

I’ve heard mixed things about the belham. Some fine some bad. Lyndhurst parents all seem very happy including some who pulled kids out of the former.

If you mean Harris Academy ED I know kids who are happy there.

Just heard the old deputy at Belham is now the head of Lyndhurst, (both part of the Charter Trust now) so this may or may not have an impact on those parents who were unhappy at the Belham who moved over to Lyndhurst.

Yes, The Belham ex-deputy is now head at Lyndhurst - the year 6 children who showed us around The Belham all spoke highly of him so I think he is missed! We attended an evening tour at Lyndhurst so think we need to return again to get a proper feel for the place in the day.

It would be interesting to hear what the negatives were for The Belham as at the minute it is top of our list 😬I wasn't particularly taken by the headteacher and was initially a little put off at the lack of outdoor space but having heard they travel out every week for Forest School at Lettsom Gardens I was swayed. The building was clean and colourful, the class teachers seemed friendly and knowledgeable and the facilities were impressive.

Bessemer looks good - albeit slightly out of the way for my commute into work - but I could be swayed by the on-site forest schooling. Thank you!

The catchment for Dulwich Infants went out very far last year so you'd get in from Peckham. I have friends with children there who are very happy. I also have numerous friends with children at St John's and St Clements (you don't need to be a church goer to get in) who rate it very highly. It gets great academic results and also has a reputation for being nurturing.

We are deciding between DVIS, St John's, st Clements, Belham, Judith Kerr and lyndhurst as number 1.
Cannot decide.
A few years ago I would have fallen off my chair to accept a Dulwich infants offer but not that I've seen it, I honestly cannot say that I love it all that much which is a shame as I know many parents use to move house to be in the catchment area.
Falling birth rate and movement as a result of Covid means you stand a great chance of gaining your first place whatever that is.

I have 2 children at Lyndhurst in years 3 and reception. Generally happy with it and the new head teacher, Mr Turnham, is very dynamic so there are changes afoot. I don't know the belham very well but Lyndhurst is seen as a more holistic, inclusive school. There are quite a lot of children with SEN and I do wonder sometimes if there are enough TAs/resources for these children although I think that's a widespread problem in primary schools now. I'm not sure if able children always get sufficiently stretched although I can see that my oldest child is now being stretched with a good teacher in year 3. Sorry, this is a bit waffly but overall we are happy with the school but I think a very bright child and/or very ambitious parents might get frustrated with it and be happier at the belham; Lyndhurst has a mellower vibe.

Thank you, that is super helpful. I did get a very relaxed vibe at Lyndhurst during our tour. We submitted our application yesterday and decided on The Belham as first choice for this reason. It felt like a more structured school which I think is what our son needs. Thanks again to everyone and good luck!

Just to add to this thread - we think the Belham is great!

I am resurrecting this thread as we are making the decision now. Lyndhurst is our local catchment (we live behind KCH) but Judith Kerr and Jessop seem to perform better academically. As a Lambeth school, Jessop is down to one class so I do not think we will be able to make the catchment/siblings.

Anyone compare Judith Kerr to Lyndhurst? If so what are the differences (we visited the former, but not the latter).

Thanks

What made you decide against Goose Green and DKH after viewing?

We are on the Denmark Hill/Camberwell side, so we did not visit Goose Green at all. DKH is on the list, however Lyndhurst is closer and we felt it had better facilities, diversity in demographic and also vibe.

It does have a more mellow vibe which is a bit off putting to my partner as she fells Lyndhurst may lack academic rigour, but I got a good feel for Lyndhurst. Also quite a few families from our Nursery send their children there.

Any feedback and/or opinions are welcome.