Advice on Muswell Hill Primary Schools

[mumster70]

Hello - I'm a Mumsnet Virgin so apologies if these topics have been done to death, but I'm thinking ahead to Primary School for my DD in Sept 2011. A lot of people bang on about Tetherdown and would kill to send their children there but I'm in the catchment for Coldfall and have heard less about this school though the Ofsted reports are good. Does anyone have any advice? Also, I'm keeping my options open and my DD will be going for an assessment for The Mount School and South Hampstead in early 2011. I have no idea what to expect! Help please.

Hello - I have several friends with children at Coldfall and Tetherdown. As you probably know, Coldfall is larger than Tetherdown (3 form entry vs 2) with a more mixed intake. Both schools, from what I hear, are excellent. In fact, if parental grumbles are anything to go by, Coldfall parents seem to be much happier with their school than Tetherdown. Coldfall is probably the most structured of the Muswell Hill Primaries, with homework given quite early on in the infants. There are 2 DC in my DS's year who moved from Coldfall - for logistics rather than a problem with Coldfall. Their parents were surprised by how "lax" DS's school is compared to Coldfall. I have heard fantastic things about Coldfall's head - very approachable and proactive. Also, Coldfall really welcomes parents and encourages them to be involved - markedly different from my DS's school. I know Tetherdown has a fab reputation but even the parents admit that this is down to intake. The Tetherdown parents I know don't really feel it adds anything much in value. Certainly, it doesn't seem markedly better than my DS's school and I would say his school isn't as good as Coldfall in terms of added value. Hope this helps and good luck!

If you're thinking about going private there are lots of other much closer schools than SH and The Mount btw.

Thanks mussyhillmum that's good feedback and much appreciated. From what I've heard a lot of the parents aiming for Tetherdown seem to get rather hysterical about trying to get in or not getting in.

Squeaver, thanks too. I have considered closer Independent schools but a lot of them are really expensive or you have to practically have your child's name on the list when they were a foetus which is not much good for me now. I would very much be open to any suggestions you have but know that a lot of the registration lists for entry in 2011 are practically closed.

Would also love to know what the assessments for 4+ entry involve. I think for some schools it's more than an informal chat or play session as there would be for SH only 24 places out of 250 DC's attending assessments in groups. Thanks

I'm not sure if this helps but a friend with a DC at the Muswell Hill montessori told me that teachers from Highgate and Channing Schools come and observe prospective candidates in their nursery settings. They assessed the DC's fine motor skills eg. how well they cut out shapes with scissors, drew pictures, etc.

Thanks, that's useful. Highgate I would have considered but there is no chance now of a place unless you are down for the Pre-school which has short days so no good for a full-time working mum. Channing I have heard is rather snobbish from a number of people so discounted this option plus it's a bit pricey. My DD also attends a Montessori nursery so hopefully they will help with the assessment preparation though to be honest when the time comes I'll probably be just as happy with Coldfall and then reassess at 7yrs +.

I'm involved in starting a new primary in Muswell Hill (opening Sept 2011) and I've visited both Tetherdown and Coldfall, and know several kids who have been to one or the other.

They are both wonderful schools without doubt, and kids thrive there. Please note that Coldfall has a special interest in French, so pupils there will get somewhat more teaching in that subject than they would elsewhere.

Hello, can you tell me what the new primary is? Is it the new Jewish school or another one?

Hi fromheretomaternity. Yes, it is the Haringey Jewish Primary (the first Jewish faith school to be open equally to Jews and non-Jews, I might add)

Hi Foldgate. Has the new school got a nursery?

Hi pudding25

We're starting at Reception. This is partly down to logistics and partly because the nearest synagogue runs a very popular nursery (in fact one of my colleagues on this project helped set it up). We don't want to cause any problems for them (or vice versa).