Best primary in Sutton/Merton

[Maniek]

I have started looking for a local primary for my 4y old boy in the Sutton/Merton area and from my initial research I have added two schools to my shortlist: private Homefield and state Cheam Park Farm Academy. Both are considered the best in their class with CPFA having the highest SATs in the area (better than Dundonald and Wimbledon Chase fyi) and Homefield having a better profile than alternatives like Wimbledon Common Prep: higher average assessment results, exam rankings, facilities, broader curriculum, higher fees.

On this portal however Homefield has mostly negative opinions and parents suggest alternatives i.e. WCP. I struggle to understand the reasoning. Which primary school in Sutton or Merton area is considered to be number 1?

Hi,

Yes Homefield has nice buildings, nice play ground and yes they also say that they teach two years ahead, the problem is they don't have good teachers nor management, most teachers are inexperinced and recently passed out and they have no idea what a prep school and why parents are spending lots of money , the reults they show is not true they don't prepare for any 11 + or 13+ that is parents again spending money on tution and books , ALSO NO SAFEGUARDING, what we are hearing are shocking , most teachers are very greedy and they all want only responsibilites like this head that head and they only concern about handling parents not the teaching ,before putting him there dig it and see, don't talk to new immigrant parents coz they have no idea how it works and unfortunatley most of them are newly migrated and wanted best for the child.

Stanley Park ?

We were very happy with Cheam Park Farm - both DC now doing very well in grammar schools. Both discovered their musical talent there too, as they had all their music lessons during school time (provided by Sutton Music Trust).

there's another Cheam one, Cheam common I think

Erm, where do you want to live? Cheam and Wimbledon are very different

Do you already live in the area or looking to move? Is your child going to school in Sept 2024 (ie very recently 4) or have they already started school elsewhere? If you are applying for 2024, you don't have long to move or need to be realistic about where you will get a place for state schools, as most schools are oversubscribed.

I don't know Merton but the majority of Sutton state schools are good schools (I don't mean in the Ofsted sense). The Cheam schools are particularly popular. Do be aware though that the SATs results are heavily influenced by tutoring for the grammar schools. Often the higher SATs results are mainly a result of higher numbers tutoring. There are other schools with less good results but still great teaching. Cheam is a fairly affluent area right by a grammar school, so it makes sense that a high proportion prep for it.

I don't know what the deal is with Homefield on here, it seems to get slated a lot. Maybe try asking for views other places too.

Also Sutton is one of the few boroughs oversubscribed for school places. Some parts gives you access to Surrey schools too

I’ve been researching local schools and, based on my personal experience, I would strongly advise against choosing The Avenue Academy. I’ve witnessed repeated instances of both staff and parents littering in the surrounding area, which creates unnecessary issues for local residents and reflects poorly on the school’s values.
Additionally, the Little Chicks school bus frequently parks on double yellow lines at the corner of a busy T-junction which is part of a main bus route. This not only obstructs visibility for drivers but also poses a serious safety hazard. If this is the standard of behaviour being demonstrated publicly, it raises concerns about the school’s overall culture and the level of responsibility it instills in its community.
In my view, the school has grown too large to be effectively managed.
On a more positive note, I’ve heard consistently good things about Cheam Fields Primary and Banstead Infants, particularly regarding their supportive environments and strong reputations within the community.