Oakwood Primary School (Purley)

[Kathy2810]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post so please bear with me.

Our daughter (6) is currently in a local primary school and we are moving to Streatham (London) next year.

We are looking at schools around the area, focusing on a school with a Catholic ethos.

We like the look of Oakwood primary school, I believe the new campus is now in Crystal Palace/Norwood and wanted to know people’s opinion on the school. Does anyone have children that attend?

Thanks!

Hi there - Our daughter has attended Oakwood for the past 3 years. We moved from central London to South Croydon specifically in order to enrol her in the Nursery, and then moved this year to Streatham when they moved to the big campus in Crystal Palace. We absolutely love the school for its personalised approach, its beautiful sense of community, the support it provides families and the attentive care the teachers and staff bring. The Faith life is unparalleled and that us, above all, what we value. We would not send our children anywhere else. Please feel free to ask me anything else! - Mary

Hi there,

Thank you for the reply!

We haven’t visited the school yet but are planning on to early next year.

Me and my husband are Catholic but not part of Opus Dei. We were wondering how the school balances Catholicism and Opus Dei.

It would be helpful in knowing your opinion and experience when it comes to the religious aspect of the school.

thank you

The foundational message of Opus Dei is living holiness in the middle of the world, wherever you are and whatever you do. So that underpins everything of the school - we practice the virtues and pursue excellence in everything we do because it is a gift to give to God. Having said that - there is absolutely no requirement to be a member of Opus Dei. There are many Catholics at the school who are not members. There are also non Catholics who appreciate the academic excellence and ethos and environment of the school. The school is open to anyone who wants to live the ethos of the school. I suggest you call and ask for a tour! There are also some parent activities coming up open to parents of the school as well as non school parents- you are more than welcome to attend those if I can get you the info! It will give you an idea as to the environment and community of the school :)

@Kathy2810 did you end up sending your daughter to Oakwood? We are considering sending our children there in Sept (Y3 and Y1). They are currently in state schools. We like the ethos of the school but comparing with other independent schools they dont seem to offer much in terms of clubs/co-coricular activities? (or this might be because they have only just moved to the new campus?)

@MaryTW did many of the teachers/students follow the school when they moved to the new site in Crystal Palace? How have you found the settling in since they moved in Sept for your kids?

when we went to visit the classes did seem very small