South East London Primary School Help us pick! Wingfield or John Ball!

[cbmumlife]

Hi Everyone,

I am hoping for some opinions from locals/parents in South East London, Blackheath/Kidbrook/Lewisham area. We are based in the Cator estate so within catchment for Wingfield, John Ball or Brooklands (all Outstanding). We have decided to put our closest school, Brooklands as our 3rd option due to ongoing issues between parents and school.
We had the disadvantage of only moving to London in the last 2 months so don't have a huge amount of prior knowledge. We did move to this specific area due to the reputation of John Ball.

DS (3): He is academically gifted however struggles emotionally, we suspect neurodiversity but this pathway hasn't started due to moving areas. We are hoping school can drive this forward. He works better 1-1 or in small groups. He has a strong sense of individuality and self.

We are so conflicted about our top choice between John Ball and Wingfield:

Wingfield:
Pros:

• Very recent academic results have been outstanding ++++
• Very recent, Glowing OFSTED, one of the best i've ever seen
• Near a big park and community hub for after school activities
• Has a weekly stay and play so I have the option to take any further children at pre-school age and meet other parents etc
• 2 form entry, smaller than John Ball

Cons:

• Slightly further walk,
• Further train stop away from work, which is already an hour commute
• School uniform which may or may not be an issue for neurodivergent (suspected) child.
• No on-site SENCO
• Recent announcement the head teacher (who turned the school around) will now be moving to a different position within the Academy Trust, previous SENCO and deputy head to take promotion.
• Part of an academy trust
• I've actually never visited - No slots on the tours since I've been so my first opportunity to visit is Thursday 11th, 3 days before application deadline.

John Ball
Pros:

• Outstanding OFSTED, but this was last completed in 2013 and since then the head has changed.
• Head has been in place for 10 years and I really liked her.
• Great ethos, focusing on what a child enjoys and tailoring their education to that
• External teachers from dance schools, music schools to teach kids
• opposite the train we get to work, very convenient
• Clear examples that parents are involved in the school board and can volunteer etc
• Nicer walk, coffee shop and shops close by.
• Has a whole team of SENCO, higher proportion of EHCPs used compared to national average despite lower % of disabled students - evidencing they know their stuff about disability
• No school uniform, child is able to express their individuality
• Really amazing reputation.

Neutral:

• Performs vvvv slightly above national average in academic results

Cons:

• Performs significantly worse than Wingfield academically
• Unknown current performance due to OFSTED being due, OFSTED report isn't as 'glowing' as Wingfield
• 3 form entry which is huge

Which would you choose?!
I obviously have the benefit of visiting Wingfield next week so I imagine that might make up my mind but I'm also interested to hear what peoples initial opinions are given these facts. Thanks in advance!

Hello, definitely worth visiting and getting a ‘feel” for both schools. Have heard really good things about Wingfield from parents :)

Could you please elaborate on the issues with Brooklands?

Yes please elaborate on Brooklands issues- if you’ve only been in London for 2 months how do you know this?

lots of neighbours have kids there and they’re v happy with it as a small and welcoming school?

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on the results but would look at the progress 8 score, looking particularly at progress 8 by demographic - high prior attainment, Boys v girls, disadvantaged pupils. IMO a good school will have decent progress 8 across the board with no noticeable dive for disadvantaged pupils, or high prior attainment pupils, etc.

Beyond that I strongly recommend going for a school with on site decent senco provision, particularly as you suspect some issues, and regardless because ime a decent school will be inclusive and supportive to all pupils.
However it may be that Wingfield intends to appoint a new SENCO?

My kids are at a good primary with a lot of deprivation (not entirely) and despite having a reputation for being academically pushy (in comparison to other local schools - it's also part of an MAT) is brilliant for SEN, my children have no diagnosed SEN but one of them has had really great invaluable support for anxiety etc through the SENCO. Kids at the "nicer" companion school with on paper better results (though lower progress 8 scores overall) are not able to access such good SEN provision.

If you suspect SEN I wouldn't get too hung up on academic outcomes; go for the school which seems flexible, kinder and with a decent amount of SEN pupils on roll. The most important thing for a child with ASD (I have one) is that they are comfortable and happy in school.

If you are looking at SATs as a measure of academics it's not that helpful- I loathe SATs as a measure. I'm in a different part of SE London and the schools that get the best SATs results do a lot of it by drilling the kids relentlessly from year 5 and doing very little arts and music. It's miserable.

DS started reception at Brooklands in September and we absolutely love it. It's very child centred and the joint heads are lovely. We've also found the other families lovely too. I think people want different things from schools so it may not be for you though.

Hi! My DD is starting reception at Wingfield this September and we are also based in the cator estate. Where did your children end up? Would love to connect x