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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Stanley Park Infants/Juniors - any experience?

12 replies

Cakehead · 02/04/2009 13:40

This is our local school and we should be applying for it this year, but I gather it's been very oversubscribed since its Ofsted report. I'm a bit cautious about how big it is - three form intake seems large, when I viewed the school it seemed happy but chaotic. Anyone have experience there - good or bad? Much appreciated...

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giantkatestacks · 02/04/2009 13:49

If its got a good ofsted and its your local school then whats not to like? they're all that large round that way arent they?

Original poster

Cakehead · 02/04/2009 14:04

Yes, most are going that way with new forms being added, but the alternative would be going out of borough to a Surrey school like Woodcote or Woodmansterne, where the intake/schools are smaller.

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giantkatestacks · 02/04/2009 14:12

They wouldnt have as much experience of 11+ stuff out there though would they? Thinking ahead like...

Original poster

Cakehead · 02/04/2009 14:17

I don't think any of the state schools prepare for the 11+, do they? I'd heard that if your child's capable, you get tipped off by the teachers or Head to start getting some tuition. Maybe wrong, though - anyone know otherwise?

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giantkatestacks · 02/04/2009 14:33

its just being in the loop regarding tutoring and the latest info at the school gate is useful I think iyswim?

ChippyMinton · 02/04/2009 22:27

Only know what my sis has told me - apparently infants is excellent, but is let down by the juniors. My DN is due to start at BH in Sept, and that appears to have an extra form added,which is a slight concern. I went to W'sterne but that was a looong time ago, but think it still has a good rep.

Poshpaws · 03/04/2009 13:52

ChippyMinton, do you mean Bandon Hill (BH)?

As far as I am aware, it is still going to be a 2 class intake in Sep (DS2 will be going there as DS1 does already). Not heard any different.

Is that what you mean about 'extra form'? I hope not

giantkatestacks · 03/04/2009 13:55

I thought Chippy meant a different BH to be honest...a more oversubscribed school with a tiny catchtment iyswim.

Poshpaws · 03/04/2009 13:59

Oh good. .

ChippyMinton · 03/04/2009 14:49

Sorry, Barrow Hedges.

Poshpaws · 03/04/2009 15:14

Thanks Chippy. Realised which school you meant an hour after I posted. And also realised that BH1 and BH2 would prob not be in the same catchment area anyway

Cakehead, they refurbished those schools not long ago, didn't they? I drive past them on my way to work and they look rather nice. And I have heard that the rep has really improved. I used to live up the road form them about 10 years ago and I think they were not very well rated then.

BTW, most primary schools are 'happy but chaotic' in terms of the pupils.

Have you any neighbours who children attend so you can find out from them what they think?

Original poster

Cakehead · 03/04/2009 19:40

We're in an odd spot - mostly surrounded by bungalows and more senior people! But there is a retired teacher a few doors from me who taught at SP and she's not particularly encouraging when I've asked...

Yes, Barrow Hedges has the extra form this year added - as do a couple of other primaries - Hackbridge and Brookfield, as I recall.

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