South East London - Eden Park or Harris Norwood?

[Secondsop]

Hi - my Yr 6 son was offered Eden Park on offer day, our 2nd choice after Kingsdale as we wanted co-Ed and I liked Eden Park. But since then, the head has left, the school communication has been poor, lots more staff turnover, there’s now a rebranding that current parents don’t seem keen on and which seems to be because things really need turning round. I know it’s had some tricky teething problems but I was hoping we were joining on the crest of improvement. I left the recent transition evening feeling so flat. So we put my son back on the waiting lists and have immediately been offered Harris South Norwood. Which we really liked the feel of on open day but which has its own challenges. But is a school that at least has a plan better than Eden Park which seems to be very much feeling its way? Any / all comments hugely appreciated as we have 10 days to decide.

I'm local and have not heard very good things about Eden Park which is a shame as offered so much and buildings are all new.

Where are you on the waiting list for Kingsdale?

There is often considerable movement there over the summer.

Hello! Just to make you feel slightly more reassured with Eden park, they have a very knowledgeable executive head starting in September. It will of course take time for things to fall into place, but the head has come Harris Sutton so will bring that knowledge to Eden park hopefully.

We were in this situation last year and offered a school for our DD that I was very worried about, but our daughter has found like minded friends, is very happy and is doing very well academically in the school.

good luck

Hi - thanks for posting. we're high 50s in his band. He went DOWN a couple of places after the first shakedown because of kids joining the list who were higher priority in the admissions order. So we've not moved up at all yet. I've heard of kids in the high 40s getting in very close to the start of term or during it. Unless he settled exceptionally well wherever he goes I'll keep him on the list and if he's offered in-year will move him.

Yes, that’s what I’ve been hearing too, from local parents - I know those who are the most unhappy are likely to be the most vocal but it all feels so unsettled at the moment.

Thank you - I’d seen the announcement about the new exec head and was very hopeful, but at the transition evening I left feeling very concerned about the rebrand and the need for it, and the incoming exec head was there but didn’t speak - he could have reassured us a lot by saying something about his vision for the school.

Eden Park is awful. My friend's daughter was sexually harassed, bullied and had to move schools. She has PTSD from being there. Don't touch it with someone else's barge pole. There are some good staff but some very poor ones too. Huge staff turnover.

Thank you for sharing @Pippatpip - what an awful experience for your friend’s daughter. I know serious incidents to an extent are everywhere but it’s the schools management and handling and support that’s so important here. Would you be prepared to share where your friend’s child went on to?

Harris South Norwood has a very strong leadership team, it is well known in the local area for its excellent pastoral care and progress 8 scores are good. As a school dealing with a diverse student body it has it challenges, but students tend to do comparatively well. Plus Harris Sth Norwood will have the full Harris Academy machinery behind it. From experience I know the management team works closely with and is supported by other Harris schools in local area: Crystal Palace , Beckenham and Bromley, all OFSTED outstanding schools. Eden Park promised so much when first set up but sadly, it seems to have declined in past 2-3 years with reported issues of poor student behaviour and there is a high staff turnover, so students learning disrupted. Things may turn around with the new Headteacher but it will take time. So I would go with Harris Norwood if had to choose.

This is extremely helpful - thank you so much. We’ve actually now been offered Harris Beckenham, which is a surprise - weighing up the different offerings as to which will suit my child the best but I feel we must give him the chance at Beckenham.

Ahh congratulations, I’ve heard the movement for Harris beckenham has been minimal this year!
Glad you have a school you feel suited for your child.

It sounds as though you have made up your mind but I have a number of friends with children at Eden Park who are very happy with the teaching, the opportunities and the experience their Y8/Y9 children are having at the school. These families have made a positive choice for the younger siblings to join in September instead of putting Kingsdale or Langley as first choice.

Thank you for posting - we have now accepted the place at Harris Beckenham but your post will be comforting for parents sending their children to Eden Park. It’s harder to find the positive views as people tend to be the most vocal when unhappy.

Just coming back to update that he’s had a fantastic first half term at Harris Beckenham - he’s engaged,very motivated and really enjoying school.