Which is the better school, Marshgate Primary or The Vineyard School?

[GoWest1057]

Which is the better school, Marshgate Primary or The Vineyard School? I've been told that Marshgate has a significant bullying problem which is never addressed, and the head has been MIA all year. Conversely, I've read online that The Vineyard School struggles with attendance issues and 'inconsistent teaching quality'. Yet, both schools are rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. Is this rating possibly dependent on past reputation rather than current performance? Thanks in advance for your insights!

In Richmond, Surrey!

The Vineyard is an incredible school. Definitely go and see both but I can vouch for TVS. It has (or had, possibly) a very, very small catchment area so be aware of that.

I will visit both, thank you. What is the attendance problem at TVS, do you know?

Ofsted reports are a snapshot - one has an Outstanding from 10 years ago under the old framework, and one has a Good (with one Outstanding area) from November 2023. In other words, you would be comparing ducks with wellingtons to rely on Ofsted reports giving any indication of which is better in 2025.

Vineyard school provide more after school activities than Marshgate in general. They provide lots of sports, such as tennis, football, rugby, basketball, table tennis, American football, net ball, etc. And they also provide piano, cello, guitar and rock bands etc. To be honest, it’s like private school activity resources, however, they don’t do traditional homework as Marshgate.

Attendance I don’t think it’s school problem, it’s parents problems? It’s very happy learning school, however, like everyone’s life, you will meet good teachers or bad teachers.

The bullying at Marshgate Primary is out of control from Year 4 upwards. A new headmaster has arrived so maybe they will clamp down on the culprits but it's not just a few bad apples and staff have turned a blind eye for far too long. Marshgate pupils have a reputation in Richmond and we will be glad when we leave.

I didn't know TVS was rated Good. It was Outstanding when we looked. Still wish we had gone there.

Marshgate is switching headteacher apparently due to high staff turnover last year, though it was announced the switch is due to a health condition of Mr. B (the headteacher stepping down). The interim headteacher is very nice, we all look forward to seeing things turn better.

Hello, so you're saying you wouldn't recommend the school? Am considering it for my son going into Reception 2026

Is Marshgate switching headteacher? The website still says Mr. B is the head although he is "currently absent." I have tried in vain to find out what the situation is and we are at the school! The present parents have been told nothing save a few rumours from people who work at the school. The recent inspection downgraded leadership, management, and education to "good" from "outstanding," and the interim headteacher lives hours away and does not attend events such as sports day or the summer fair. The gossip is he was just brought in for the inspection and then disappeared.

Why aren't we being told?

I would ask many questions about the instability before applying.