Berkampstead state primary school recommendations

[Suzanna123]

Hi everyone,
First time posting on here!
Would anyone be able to give their perspectives on the following primary schools in Berkampsted? I am yet to view them (will be in the coming weeks, children are reception and year 2) but have the locrating app so got lots of info on performance stats etc. I know the schools in the area are considered very good and hence so popular and over subscribed, would love for any word of mouth recommendations / local insights. Thank you so much! X

Swing Gate Infant school
St Thomas Curam
St Mary’s CoE
Greenway

Do you mean Berkhamsted?

Yes! 😂

All of the schools in Berkhamsted are great so I would consider which end of town you will be living. For example, Swing Gate is almost two miles away from St Mary’s (which is technically in Northchurch, not Berkhamsted). The majority of children are walked to school and not driven as parking can be rubbish and traffic bad. So in turn, the majority tend to go to their closest school.

Assuming you know that Swing Gate only goes up to the end of Y2 and then they move to Thomas Coram? Whilst the schools are close, TC is at the top of a massive hill which is a pain. I believe there is a “walking bus” for those with children at both schools.

Greenway has the best outdoor space.

St Mary’s is quite small.

I have had friends with children at all of these schools. They have all been universally happy and achieved. The transition to Ashlyns for secondary has been smooth.

So unless you have a strong feeling about the “vibe” of any of these schools, I would genuinely just go with your closest.

Also assuming you have found this which says which schools have vacancies at the current time. No spaces at Greenway for either of your children

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/school-admissions/in-year-admissions-change-schools-during-the-year/school-vacancies/school-vacancies-reception-to-year-6.aspx

@RatherBeOnVacation Thank you so much for your reply. Lovely to hear your view on the schools being great and your friends’ experiences.
Yes on Swing Gate feeding into Thomas Coram. I spoke to both schools today to line up a tour. They have a few vacancies in both years so I think I will have to be led by the availability rather than location sadly. We are planning to rent first then buy so we can get more of a feel for the different areas in and near to Berkhamsted. We are re-locating from Surrey for work reasons.

Noted on the big hill!
Ive been watching the vacancies list intently and a few weeks ago there was a space in Year 2 at Greenway - shows how popular the schools are.

Thank you for the insight!

Would you say there are any areas we should avoid in and around the town to live in??

thanks again

There’s no real places to avoid. There’s a council estate from about Beech Drive, up to Hilltop Road (Swing Gate side of town). It’s not a problem but the houses are certainly not pretty.

There’s a mixture of council / ex council from the sports centre down to Northchurch. Again, no issues and these houses are nicely built and quite spacious, but cost a lot less and are good value.

I personally wouldn’t live in Northchurch just because it’s not Berkhamsted (even though estate agents would like you to believe it is). It just feels too far away from the town and all the benefits of living there. But again, prices are cheaper because it’s a good 25 minute walk away. It’s a flat walk though 😂😂😂

Also check that houses aren’t in Potten End - a village just outside Berkhamsted. The amount of houses I see listed as Berkhamsted when they are Potten End is bonkers. It’s a 40-45 minute walk away.

Other than that, the prime roads are really the ones a close walk to the High Street but parking is on street for most of those. If you’re used to a driveway it can be an arse.

Whilst this is not an aesthetically pleasing house on the outside it’s in a great location

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/161813339#/?channel=RES_LET

As is this one but parking might be tricky

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/161258549#/?channel=RES_LET

It all depends on your budget of course. I would say walking distance to the High Street / station is the best place to start.

I don't know the area, so cannot commet on its schools, but don't you mean that you spoke to both the infant school and the junior school and confirmed that the latter knows that at the moment, it will have spaces for late applicants for a place in year 3 in September? Even where an infant school is a named feeder school for a junior school, a formal application has to be made for year 2 to year 3 transition.

All the primary schools in Berkhamsted are great, I would go for one within walking distance of your house as the traffic at school run time is awful. It’s a lovely town - there are no bad areas to live in my opinion.
Greenway school is single form entry which is why it’s generally harder to get a place in the higher year groups.
Swing Gate and Victoria infants are two form entry and Thomas Coram 3 form so are all more likely to have in year places. My children have attended Victoria and Thomas Coram and both are fantastic schools.