St Joseph’s RC Highgate - nursery/primary

[violetgreensun]

Really appreciate any views on St Joseph’s - the threads I could find are from several years ago. We are considering the nursery from 2+ so am particularly interested in this aspect, but also the primary school. Our son is at a regular private Montessori nursery at the moment but I like the idea of a nursery that’s part of a school and more educationally focused, with qualified teachers etc.
We plan to enter our DS for competitive 4+ or maybe 7+ entrance - Highgate etc - so am interested to know if others at the school do this, or if that’s more of a St Michael’s thing (another option). Also very much considering state primary all the way through so keen to hear any recent experiences or thoughts on the school. Thanks v much!

I have a friend with a child at this school and she has said most people go to the local comprehensive or Catholic secondary at St Josephs as the catchment comprises of lower socioeconomic areas such as Archway, Upper Holloway and the surrounding estates than at St Michael’s in Highgate(middle class to wealthy). St Joseph is under subscribed whereas St Michael is heavily over subscribed and sounds like it’s the place to be. She has no issues with the school (but again different people have different needs - they like it more than St Michael’s as it’s 3 min walk to their place)

Sorry just saw your title - I’m assuming there is only one St Joseph school nearby which is in Archway (N19 ?) if not then please ignore my post above!

Thank you for the insights, yes that’s the one!

Interestingly, according to Locrating, St Joseph’s is at 92% capacity and St Michael’s at 93% - I wonder how accurate that is.

St Michael's is no longer an oversubscribed school and has vacancies across various year groups (due to falling birth rates); it even failed to get full reception classes for the last few years. As a result, its catchment has widened by quite a bit and many kids come from Archway, East Finchley, and as far as Muswell Hill. It has more of a mixed demographics in lower year groups now. Its a state school and it won't prepare for 7+/11+ etc.

Actually, St Joseph is a very lovely school and yes it may include slightly deprived areas but its educational and teaching standards are good, and also its social mix has improved over the years to include a variety of kids from various backgrounds.

Where are you based? If you are based in Archway, ST Micahel's can be quite a bit of a walk up the hill

just bumping this thread as I am looking for some information on both schools (we are in Dartmouth Park)

Thank you, and thanks those who have replied! To respond to @wisdomdreamer, we will be moving before DS starts school so location is a flexible factor at the moment - moving from Angel for schools - Highgate seems a good mix of still central-ish but with good schools that have better outdoor facilities. We may for for Highgate prep but obvs very difficult to get into.

@wisdomdreamer is that inside knowledge that they haven't filled their reception class for the past 2 years? Asking as we are currently >20 on the waitlist and we do live within catchment! (but maybe there were a lot of siblings and/or a VAT effect this year)

I am interested in sending my daughter to the nursery as well, with a potential to continue to the primary school and wanted to learn about the experience of the others. Would you recommend the nursery or the primary school? How would you compare with the other schools around the area (Highgate primary school, St. Michael's, etc.)? @violetgreensun: I would also be curious to learn about what you have decided in the end.

My friend has said it’s a very lovely school and great for kids with SEN - better than St Michael’s in that regards. They have vacancies for all years for anyone who wants a place.