Brindishe schools - Lewisham, London

[Unsure4589]

Hi! Just wondering if anyone has experience of the Brindishe schools in Lewisham, particularly Brindishe Lee and Brindishe Manor? We’re closest to Lee but would prefer Manor, I think… sadly the catchment seems very small. The head assures me waiting lists move but I’d love to hear from any parents on this!

Also interested in thoughts on St Margaret’s and Trinity Primary.

Thanks!

I’ve NC for this but I have children in Brindishe Lee, and then friends who have children in the other schools you mention. It’s worth saying that they’re all very different schools!
St Margarets is popular but it’s CofE so admissions are based on church attendance. Trinity also CofE but has far more relaxed admissions-it’s become very popular in recent years having previously been poorly performing. It’s an all through school as well although the secondary site isn’t a top choice for local parents.

If you’re in the catchment for BL then I’d go for that-not a great deal in it between Lee and Manor as they have a similar ethos. Personally I think the outside space is nicer at BL.

Thanks! That’s incredibly helpful. As a BL parent, would you say the open plan nature of the school is a good thing? Our DD is fairly easily distracted, so Manor appeals for that reason.

St. Margaret’s and Trinity are not really choices for us but as they’re close and Brindishe schools are so popular, we realise we could end up with one of them.

Personally I think the open plan set up works pretty well. The reception class is the biggest of all the classrooms so for that initial year I think the children are primarily in that space. Once they get into Yr1 and upwards the classrooms are smaller so you might find some of the children will be doing an activity in another part of the school while some remain in the classroom.
The space is less hectic than it has been because the single bulge year left for secondary in July last year, so there’s 30 less children in the school overall and it’s back to one class per year group.

The benefit of the open plan nature of the school plus the low numbers is that the children seem to get to know one another across the different year groups which I think is a positive. Reception class also have their own playground which they’re limited to in the first 2 terms and then from the summer term they can spread their wings a bit more into the rest of the outside space. There’s lots of really brilliant play equipment outdoors as well!

Have you been to look round yet?

@Schools2025 I really appreciate you taking the time to respond! It’s so useful to hear from parents with experience on this stuff. Haven’t been to see it yet but have heard lots about the open plan. I also like the idea of them getting to know children in different age groups. DD responds really well to being with older (and younger) kids!