Primaries in Sydenham - Adamarill & Kelvin Grove

[AlicethroughtheSpookingGlass]

I know there are quite a few SE London people here so hoping for some insider knowledge! We're currently applying for primary schools in Sydenham and think it's unlikely we'd get into St Barts (our preference) so we're trying to decide between Adamsrill and Kelvin Grove schools. (I also liked Haseltine but it's just a bit too far from us.)

I think instinctively I liked Kelvin Grove more because I loved how the head spoke about SEN inclusion, which made me hope it would be a really good friendly space but their results are a little worrying so we're not sure if that's the best place. Adamsrill seem to have amazing results and some fantastic facilities but I didn't warm to the head teacher or the SEN Co when we looked round and we keep hearing (completely unprompted) from parents who aren't happy there - bad comms and not a very nurturing head teacher, and one family we know are actively looking to take their child out and apply to a new school which has really worried us.

Does anyone have recent experience of either of these, one way or another....?

Most of the kids I know in that area go to St Barts or Eliot Bank, and love both. I don't think I know anyone who put KG down as a first choice (despite it being closest in many cases).

The one person might know who has kids at Adamsrill really didn't like the early years, and didn't feel she was supported with issues at all.

St Barts is a funny one. The last few years there have been a LOT of siblings, and kids who I know who got in a few years ago now wouldn't get in at all. The area they have taken from has shrubs (though I do know several people who have taken the religious route successfully in the last 2 years). All.of this said, it's a very low birth year (as was 24/25) so who knows.

Most of the kids I know who didn't get St B went to Eliot B (and some chose one over the other) and rave about it. Not sure what the current head situation is, but that was the only concern at one point (think it was resolved?).

KG has a funny reputation. It's bigger than most local schools, and, because of this, often has a much wider range of issues and much more diverse population (reflecting in the results). It also attracts a lot of children with SEN issues (diagnosed and undiagnosed), as they are better equipped to deal with it them. The head has an amazing reputation as someone who works tirelessly.

I know 2 kids who are there (one didn't get St Barts, the other transferred after an awful experience elsewhere) and they enjoy it, but remain on the list for other schools. The perception is that it may not be right for others, who could get lost.

It's worth asking on the SE26/Se23/Sydenham Facebook groups (I no longer live in the area, but they are v busy groups and won't hold back on opinions!).

Thanks @Namechangedforthisanswer that's really helpful. We know one family who chose KG and seem to really love it, but I did get the impression it's not most people's first choice.

I hear great things about Eliot Bank but we're further away from that than St Barts and I know you used to have to live so close to get in so we didn't go and see it. It does seem the St Barts catchment is very small now and we know loads of people applying who live so much closer than us.

Argh! I don't have Facebook but maybe my DH can join one of the groups.

Apparently EB was undersubscribed last year, so might be worth a look. We used to live between EB and St B, and the people who seemed to get into St B last year (and the year before) were either very close, siblings or on a religious exemption.

All of this said, the 24/25 intake was a low birth year, and 25/26 is even lower. Add to that the number of people leaving before they apply to schools, and you never know what is going to happen.