Southfields Grid - Are you doomed with primary schools?

[NicT7]

Hi All, The Grid seems to be where most interest is in the Southfields area but from what I can see/have read - is it a nightmare to get into one of the outstanding local primaries? Any insight greatly appreciated! Thanks

I used to live near there. Private school is still very popular with parents on the grid. You could find religion and go for Bishop Gilpin (I know someone who did this). Lots of people using Southfields grid as a jumping off point for a move to Surrey in search of a bigger garden, easier parking and more room if they have more than two children, so places in the primaries do come up around Y3/4 though.

Good to know, thanks!

A lot go for st Michaels so if you are in the market for attending church for two years, helping out at the playgroup and getting on the church electoral roll you’ll be fine.

Otherwise Riversdale is very popular now and a lot of kids from the grid go there. Has engaged parents etc

Thank you!

What side of Revelstoke are you looking OP? The Wandsworth side has St Michaels (C of R), Sheringdale and Riversdale - the latter of which, I’ve been told, is up and coming.

The Merton side has Bishop Gilpin (C of E) and Wimbledon Park primary. Wimbledon Park has a set/demarcated catchment area within which closest is still prioritised but even the outer boundaries tend to get in although this is often late in the day.

The admissions criteria for both C of E schools give preference to those who attend their relevant church (ie St Michaels or St Marys for BG) but given the high numbers of faith places for both it’s likely that one could get a place without needing to ‘help out’ as it were. I think St Michaels requires that you attend a cell group, as well as Sunday church, in order to qualify as a ‘regular and faithful’ member of the church community.

I’d suggest you look at the schools you’d like to aim for and make subject access requests asking about your specific postcode and whether you’d have gotten in for the last however many years. It’s the only way to really know to be honest as there are some significant dead zones (e.g. the Wandsworth side of Revelstoke Road as you’d not be in the catchment zone for WP primary but too far from Riversdale/Sherringdale iyswim).

This is great! Yes it’d be the SW18 side we are looking at so will look further into your suggestions - thanks!

I am selling a lovely 3 bed end of terrace in wandsworth just up the road from Southfields- quiet one way street, away from Grid car crime, good garden with massive shed/office/gym. Two very nice Good primary schools within spitting distance. Lovely neighbours and friendly street. Let me know if you'd like a Rightmove link

Oh yes please :)

Here you go - I can heartily recommend it 😃

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114710813

Pressure on primary school places in this area has really dropped in the last couple of years. I heard that some (St Mike's and Sheringdale) have already been looking at how to communicate wider catchment areas. I know plenty of families in the grid at both schools.
The high level of drain to Surrey also means that even if you don't get your chosen school at reception you're highly likely to have a place by end of Y1.
It's a lovely area - wishing you successful house hunting!

That’s encouraging to hear :)

Hi, about 5 years ago unless you lived in the part of the grid very close to replingham road (in which case you stood a good chance of getting offered Sheringdale) or went to St Mike’s church then you were likely to only be offered Riversdale- that said it is a good school. Again 5 years ago if you lived on the Wandsworth side you were highly unlikely to get WPPS because they have a priority admissions area which ends at Revelstoke. But these days I think that the catchment for Sheringdale might well have widened. If you look on the council website there’s usually a map of the last place offered in the last admissions round. I would also say that it’s worth also bearing in mind secondary schools as I know people who have moved to the replingham road end of the grid to get into St Cecelia’s.