My son is in Year 8 at Chestnut Grove and very happy there. He has a great bunch of friends who are all very polite and well-behaved, he tells me that the teachers are very strict on messing about in class and he's never seen any bullying.

Also, he a bright kid (very narrowly missed out on Graveney selective stream) and we were concerned about whether he would be stretched at CGA, and he's into science and obviously it's an arts specialist school. I'm pleased to say that both these worries were completely unfounded. The teachers don't let him get away with coasting along, when he doesn't make an effort he is pulled up on it. The science teachers are lovely and really passionate, can't wait until they get their new facilities in the new building.

My younger son is in Year 6 and all the chat at pick-up is about which secondary schools - the attitude to CG has really changed, it is now first choice for a lot of parents and people are worrying if they will get in as the catchment area is shrinking.

I have on a few occasions been in Balham and Burntwood lane at school closing time and would say that pupils and the school need to remember pupils represent the school until they get home and remove their uniforms. To be honest Earnest Bevin have got it right. the kids always move out of the way as the passing public walk through. And if one kid forgets, another will remind him.
They also never (in my experience) block the road by crossing en-mass unlike Burntwood and CG.
There is very little pulpi attitude at EBC unlike CG and Burntwood. So the heads need to instill the respect the public deserve

mungomuffit wrote:In other words, a lot of the school's kids come from a very low starting point and they make progress? The school is right to be proud of that, but it's not the same as being a good school overall!

I'd be really put off sending my kids to a school with a high police presence. "Tom-foolery" indeed .

Obviously I’m a hypocrite after saying I’d never contribute to these forums again but…What an outrageous and snob filled statement. Many kids, mine included go to Chestnut Grove and do not come from a “very low starting point” The school has excellent results, well above the national average which for a non-selective school is very good

just how many CG PTA activists were primary activists too?
I know some went from fircroft and the were not great and now the christmas draw has to be done by a teacher becuase of fraud..
I know, I saw it!

Having read many posts on Nappy Valley over the years this is the first time I have felt compelled to join in a thread.

Sagittarius, I feel your question of what Chestnut Grove is like has been lost in the absurdly outdated rumours still seem to permeate in certain circles in Balham that Chestnut Grove needs policing and the bickering about PTAs.

From my experience and my son's experience of Chestnut Grove, it is a thriving and happy community. It is a small school for London so has the advantage that most of the teachers know most of the students and unlike many larger schools the students know most of their year group and some of those around them.

It's excellent Value Added scores not only reflect on how well the lower academic tiers are doing but how well the school on the whole is doing and only goes to prove the ability and dedication of the fantastic bunch of teachers at the school. They even spare the time to ring you up and tell you how well your child is doing rather than just calling you to let you know your child has a detention!

Mr Kingsley is I think now in his third full year as Head Teacher having previously been a Deputy Head for a number of years at Chestnut. He is young and proactive as well as being an excellent Geography teacher.

My son has a fabulous group of friends from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. I couldn't ask for a better bunch of friends for him! I have never heard of any bullying at the school, possibly an advantage of it being smaller in size is that staff can stamp it out more quickly and I have certainly never heard of any gangs! Yes, there are some lively kids but what school doesn't have lively kids? That is what kids should be!

There may have been police outside the school and even McDonalds last week but how do we know it was because of Chestnut Grove students? (In fact I heard a 'rumour' that there was a police presence at a well known private school this weekend?) I can only think that this persistently negative scaremongering can only come from the fact that every afternoon 800 or so teenagers descend en mass on to Balham High Road in order to go home. What other school do you know of in such close proximity to a main shopping and transport hub? That is a lot of people in a small area - just think what it is like in the evenings when commuters are piling out of the tube. Of course there is noise and some pushing and shoving, they are young but they are not bad.

Anyway, best of luck with your decision Sagittarius. We are very lucky in south west London as we have a lot of good state schools and I am just glad one of them is in Balham.

Mummyjen for your opinion I have an older child at the school in yr 9 so I'm more than aware of the points I was making. Gosh how presumptuous some people can be! Mind yr own next time.
And just incase you may loose any sleep over this tonight I actually tried to get involved with the pta at chestnut grove but I'm afraid hanging with middle aged snotty women isn't really for me. They aren't great at making people feel welcome so I'll stay away in future. The school is fab but these women really need to look at the real world not just theirs that was my only point.

I have read this thread with great interest and it is one that I find quite hard to understand at times.

If parents sent their children to the local secondary school without focussing on if there were 'scruffy' children or perhaps some police presence nearby at times, then all of our children would be in an education establishment that reflects society as a whole and encourages them to be tolerant and understanding of others.

My step son goes to Southfields and despite the negative reactions we had from a number of people he has settled in well and is enjoying it. Their GCSE results similarly to Chestnut grove are on the up and the school is doing very well compared to a few years ago. If you choose to live in London then you can not choose to become a school snob....we live amongst rich, poor, 'scruffy' and 'posh' children, children from broken homes and children from other countries. That is life and it should be celebrated. The teachers are no more or less dedicated than at an expensive independent school. And for Chestnut Grove to achieve excellent Value Added is not something to be sniffed at.

I have heard excellent things about Chestnut Grove and I do firmly believe that if a child goes home every day to a supportive and caring home, whose parents are tolerant of all then a he/she will do well in ANY school in Wandsworth.

I'm not in any way affiliated to CGA or the PFA but the OP seems to have formed a fairly strong opinion in just 6 or so weeks of school which is interesting. It also sounds to me like they need to stop moaning from the sidelines and get involved and influence from the inside.

Oh dear. Somehow you've had a negative experience of the PTA and I'm sorry if that is the case.

But, with respect, your views are at odds with the typically positive feedback on our efforts and contribution to CGA received regularly from its Headteacher, staff, pupils and parents and carers. We're keen to be a dynamic and inclusive PTA and I think that's generally how we're viewed.

One thing. It seems like a huge and unwelcome generalisation to characterise this PTA and all others as snobby. The evidence of so much of the info on mumsnet suggests that you're wrong about that.

And I'm sure you're wrong about this PTA specifically. Again, it's a pity that we appear to have got off on the wrong foot. But if you're a Year 7 parent then you're going to be a member of the school community for a long time and it would be terrible for you to miss out on supporting the school in the ways that we do. So why not give us another try? We look forward to working with you because we do have the most important single thing in common- we all want the best for our children.

I think this topic is going a bit off track and is turning into a personal attack. A bit unnecessary really.

C Grove has gone through a lot of changes over the past few years. It's hard for a school to move on from previous reputations but I think C Grove is doing a good job and it's definitely a good option.

Mungo muffin. I totally agree there is snobbery in most pta groups! The speech from the lady who I belive is the current chair of the pta at chestnut grove is worth a round of applause. Sorry but I'm a new parent to the school so I have seen for myself exactly how the members of the pta there are. I know your trying to impress the readers on here and good for you but I just thought the truth is more honest than fabricating it. Your Point about people's background was highly irelevant so not sure why you felt the need to mention that.
I'm not tying to put the work the pta do down just trying to add a real insight into how it really works.
Good day

It's disappointing that anyone has the wrong idea about the PTA at Chestnut. Our aim is trying to support the school in any way we can and particularly by helping with fund raising- the new building is going to need loads of new equipment that we want to help pay for. We hold fund raising events such as comedy nights, quizzes and just this week a social at Bodeans in Balham (a great big thank you again to them!) and also by running refreshment stalls at Parents evenings, school performances and other events. And all these are open to all parents and carers of children at the school.

There's no power-building or snobbery about any of this and we would love it if anyone interested would step forward to help. It's not very glamorous making cakes or serving drinks or running a raffle but it does help raise money and it's a great way to get to know other people at the school. Please do get in touch direct or come to one of our meetings if you would like to get involved, we'll be thrilled to meet you.

I can't explain how anyone has formed the idea that collectively the people involved in the PTA have any interest in private education or otherwise. I've never heard anyone mention it. And I don't really get the 'snobby' thing either. As far as I can tell, all the people currently helping with PTA work are pretty representative of the school community with all of us juggling work with family commitments. I am from a BAME background while others are Irish, English etc etc. Pretty diverse really!

But what we have on common is a desire to have the best school possible for our children and for the whole community. If we've given the impression that we're ambitious then please understand that all these ambitions are only about helping CGA to continue to improve for the good of all. So please come and join in if you want the same thing and can help achieve it.

Chestnut grove certainly has changed for the better over the past few years. My only concern is snobby parents sending their children there & trying to turn it into a private feel of a school. The focg (pta) are just awful which is quite sad. For a school that blurts about inclusion for all I'd like to think this could certainly be reiterated to them as not any part of their pta offers inclusion just power hungry women. As a year 7 parent I'm just quite sad about that. But the teachers head & all staff are fab.

Chestnut Grove Academy has gone from strength to strength in recent years. It has long been a school where children of all abilities have made excellent progress- which is something to celebrate rather than be cynical about - but is now matching this with impressive and consistent GCSE and A level results. Add a dynamic and committed teaching staff led by a young Headteacher, Mr Christian Kingsley, the prospect of a smart new building in the coming year and a high degree of motivation for future success and I'd say that you've got a school that is more than worthy for consideration by prospective parents.

It's fair to say that there are issues about behaviour in some parts of the Balham area as is the case with so many areas in south London. But there is no evidence that all or even most is caused by CGA children. Nor would I try to claim that no children from there are ever involved. But as a parent I can confirm that poor behaviour is not tolerated within or outside CGA and that when it does happen it is dealt with strictly and promptly by staff. OFSTED commented positively about behaviour at their last inspection and it has improved further since thanks to higher expectations, a renewed emphasis on appearance including uniform and excellent role models within the school.

Chestnut appears to continue to suffer from a poor reputation from many years ago. But it is now a great example of a school that has improved significantly and aims to improve further. I recommend it as a great option for children in Wandsworth.