Colliers Wood vs Streatham for schools

[Nomadtech]

Evening all,

I have posted two threads previously and have narrowed our choice down to staying in Colliers Wood or moving to Streatham. (New born due any day now...)

A flat has come up that is potential and in the catchment areas of Dunraven and Sunnyhill. The alternative is to stay in Colliers Wood and see if the Head at Singlegate stays around. Garfield School seems to be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of reviews here, so it feels like Singlegate or bust.

Secondary school is a while away, but the general consensus seems to be that it is more critical choosing an area for secondary schools, rather than primary.

I remember Streatham in the early 90's and it was rough (but hey, so was Balham where I grew up and now look at it).

Views please!

You might think about asking the question on the MN Local sites concerned (Merton and Lambeth) for more traffic?

I was under the impression that Singlegate might not live up to its outstanding status if reinspected...

Garfield on the other hand seems to be on the up and the current SLT is very much aiming for 'outstanding' (think next Ofsted inspection is imminent).

Always worth bearing in mind that many who pass judgement on schools have no direct experience of them and comments are based on hearsay at one/two/three removes. Garfield, I believe, suffers with being an 'SW19' school without the very 'middle class' intake that appeals to lots of local 'naice' families.

Lots can change with schools in even a few years with schools, so not entirely sure it's wise to make a decision based on primary and/or secondary schools' reputations now for intake in four-five/eleven-twelve years' time.

Did you know there will soon be a Harris Academy Wimbledon (in South Wimbledon on High Path) with Colliers Wood as one of its agreed catchment areas???

Think that Streatham is still rougher in many ways than even the perceived to be rough parts of Merton - lots of gang crime and shootings and nowhere near such good transport links either. We looked at it when we were considering our first family move and dismissed it on many grounds, including its sprawl and lack of community feel.

Thank you. We've gone off Streatham for now, there might be an opportunity to move to Tooting at a later stage, Bec, not Broadway, and I think the transport and schools are better there. Also opens up some schools in Balham potentially.

Thank you for confirming about Singlegate, I'm prepared to shift to an area with better primaries for now. I was aware about Harris, I responded to the lobby form to keep Colliers Wood in the catchment area. But you are right, schools can change immensely over the years, so better off focusing on primaries first.

Why so anti the secondary schools in Merton, out of interest? Given that they all have 'good' or 'outstanding' Ofsteds, I would have thought as a borough Merton must offer a consistently high secondary education. Can the same be said for Wandsworth and Lambeth I wonder?

Good luck in Streatham.

You may actually find your attention turning to Sutton rather than Wandsworth, Lambeth or Merton for secondaries though.

I worked in a shocking school in streatham. Truly awful.

"Think that Streatham is still rougher in many ways than even the perceived to be rough parts of Merton - lots of gang crime and shootings and nowhere near such good transport links either. We looked at it when we were considering our first family move and dismissed it on many grounds, including its sprawl and lack of community feel."

WHAT???
Ok, Urban Sprawl, that but is true, but compared to Colliers Wood, which is a result of Urban Sprawl?

Streatham primaries including Dunraven, Hitherfield, Streatham Wells are fantastic, Dunraven is an all-through school so guarantees a place at its (currently) outastanding secondary, and you would probably have a choice of Elmgreen, too .

As for community, Streatham is full of little parks with 'Friends of...', The Streatham Mums Network is a really active busy network, farmers markets springing up everywhere, loads of activity in the area you are talking about as a satellite from the West Norwood Feast, Streatham Festival, Streatham Kite Day RookFest, fantastic restaurants, etc etc.