carlisle Infant School Hampton

[richmond44]

Hi
Does anyone have any comments on Carlisle Infant School in Hampton please? DD just been offered a reception place for September. She is presently at Athelstan House School but I am finding it hard financially (her older dd is at LEH) so trying to decide whether to take her out of the private sector at this stage.

Thanks for any response/advice.

Richmond44

I looked round it and I know people who have sent their child there and been perfectly happy.
It has good ratings and will provide a good environemtn for her.

I liked it, but ultimately chose another school (I rated it 3rd after my chosen school and Athelstan).

I don't know about taking a child out of private, I've never done it although she may have shock in terms of class size, as there are 30 in each class at Carlisle.

My DD went to a small nursery and she found a bigger school a shock, but I expect all children are daunted when they start primary.

You may be able to negotiate fees with Athelstan as it is quite small.

Have heard good things about it, the only issue being that you'll obviously need to look around for a decent junior school in a couple of years time.

Thanks for that Miggsie and Teddimac. I think I will accept the place and then arrange a visit. Any school is going to be a shock after Athelstan as its so nice and small.

Richmond44

richmond44,

What are your plans for dd2 for junior school? If it's LEH junior then struggling with Athelstan fees might be your best option. If you plan to send dd2 to a state junior, then Carlise feeds into Hampton Hill junior, which can be oversubscribed at year 3 - so moving dd2 across now could be good.

But also, is dd2 the type of child who will thrive in a 30 child class?. Or, does she need the focussed, tailored education offered by a pre-prep?

Hi Amey

I can't honestly see DD2 getting into LEH Junior if she goes to a state primary. I know of no other girls in the junior school who have joined from a state primary. I know of girls who have applied, but not got in as either their Maths or English is not good enough. But in any event if DD1 does not go to Tiffins then we may still have financial problems when DD2 is 7. We would be in a better position for 11 plus entry so I could try for LEH Senior then, I know the Senior school takes about 20% from the state sector. Also I see from HH Junior school website that a number of children go onto private sector schools.

As for class size she loves the individual attention she gets at Athelstan but I guess that's what you pay for. Certainly it helped DD1 when she was at Athelstan. DD2 is also an August baby so will be one of the youngest which I always feel is a disadvantage (being an August baby myself it seemed to take me ages to catch up with the September born girls at my school).

Thanks again.

Richmond44

Richmond,

I can see you're in a difficult position. But, if you can afford to keep dd2 in her pre-prep it should put her in a stronger position for when you send her to the state school (or if you can to LEH Junior).

Being an August child could actually be an advantage in a state junior school, as she will find it more academically stretching (than say an autumn child). If her pre-prep have done a good job and she is reasonably bright, she should be in the top sets (check if HH set for maths and English from year 3) which will put her in a stong position for Tiffin or LEH senior entry.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

Amey

Carlisle Infant School is one of the nicest schools around. Children don't get much homework and are not pushed but come out of it very happy and confident. At age 7 that is all you really need. I have had three children go through the school and all have achieved well at 11 plus and passed entrance exams etc.

DH went there (30 years ago!) and went on to a get a 100% scholarship at Hampton without any tutoring.

How times have changed! If only 100% scholarships were still available....