Ealing primary schools - help please!

[RockinSockBunnies]

So, after much discussion, DD and I are relocating from North London and moving in with my DP.

DP and I have found a house, put in an offer, seemingly secured it (rental) and I'm now in the position of finding a school for DD, who is currently in Yr 4 and will be going into Yr 5 this September.

The house is on Castlebar Park and there seem to be a number of good schools in the area. Since I know nothing about Ealing, I've been looking at BBC education league tables and Ofsted reports and talking to the nice lady working at Primary Admissions for Ealing council. I've found out which schools have spaces and so far Christ Church CE school is looking like a possible contender. It has very good results according to the BBC league tables, the lady I spoke to there seemed very nice and DD and I are off to visit next week. But, I then read the Ofsted (three years old so I don't know how accurate it is) and it only ranked 'satisfactory' . I'm hearing great things about North Ealing and Montpelier schools (whether they'll have spaces I don't know) but does anyone know anything about Christ Church? I'd prefer a C of E school for DD, but also want a lovely school with good community ties etc.

Many thanks!

I think your best bet is North Ealing, but you'll only know by visiting the schools. That's how I got a good impression of schools.
You can always ask them when their next Ofsted report is due? They maybe able to enlighten you to their current performance.

North Ealing has a good reputation and they are expanding it at the moment. Worth a visit.

Ealing current vacancies

and

link to vacancies page

It looks like Christ Church may be your best option at the moment but if you prefer other schools put your name on the waiting list.

Thank you both. Do either of you know much about Christ Church in terms of its reputation and whether the children are happy there?

North Ealing and Montpelier are both in ( IMHO) nicer settings , next door to parks, than Christ church.
I went to Montpelier years ago and it was a very community school in those days. Lots of nationalities and mother tongues , just like the community around.

Why not visit all 3.

Bumping for anyone with children at Christ Church!?

I will check out as many schools as possible, but so far North Ealing and Montpelier don't have any spaces in DD's year group.

I have a friend who lives in central Ealing. I asked her and she said that while Christ Church is not as leafy as the others, it has a good local reputation. She thought it was probably more creative than the other two? Apparently there is a strong music and dance programme.

She goes private though, so didn't know much more and may not be the most up-to-date.

A friend moved out of London for secondary grammars and her dc were at Christ Church. She says nowhere compares and misses it dreadfully.

I am a name change as I didn't want to expose where I live.

I have done the tours of North Ealing, Montpelier and Christ Church and know families at all three.

All three are fine schools and your daughter would have a good time at any of them.

It is true that North Ealing and Montpelier are more physically attractive. But from what I hear Christ Church as a community knocks the socks off either of them - also true what the poster said above about it being more creative.

Families at both North Ealing and Montpelier have described them as the kind of places where you hand over your children to the school and that's it, they don't want to see any more of you.

Thank you so much for all your replies. DD is very into dance and music so it's looking good for Christ Church. We're off to see the schools next week so am hoping everything will fall into place and I can stop biting my nails down to the quick .

Best of luck

Hello everyone,

I need some urgent advice, please, about Montpelier school in North Ealing. My son has just turned 4 and is down to go there, but we really want to make sure that it is a caring, friendly school as he had a very poor learning experience at nursery with an insensitive teacher. We have met the early years staff at Montpelier who certainly seem competent, committed and caring. Does anyone have experience of sending a child to Montpelier who could tell me what it is really like. Thank you so much.

Miranda

Hello everyone,

I need some urgent advice, please, about Orley Farm school, Harrow. My son has just turned 4 and we really want to make sure that it is a caring, friendly school as he had a very poor learning experience at nursery with an insensitive teacher. We have visited Orley Farm school and the facilities, grounds and all-round atmosphere of the place seem wonderful. Also the headteacher seems friendly and full of good ideas. Does anyone have experience of sending a child to Orley Farm school who could tell me what it is really like. Thank you so much.

Miranda

RockinSockBunnies - I was following this as my friend is also moving to Ealing. How did your DD get on? Where did you choose?

Miranda - know nothing about Orley Farm but have heard that Montpelier can be quite academically pushy.