Thank you for your replies. I have also been to an open day and thought it seemed a lovely school and the staff very impressive (although I should say it's the first place we visited). It must also be a benefit to have brand new facilities. Of course it's very difficult to make an informed decision after a one hour visit so I'm very grateful to Sfish for their reply. It's great to hear your daughter has settled so well and enjoying what the school has to offer. I also agree it's a very personal choice and what's right for one child may not be right for another.

It’s a very personal choice what school you choose. We are fortunate that many of the local Balham/Tooting schools are doing well. Our daughter started in Sept at RHS and despite our apprehension about the school when we applied and we are delighted. Indeed when we applied in Dec last year the building wasn’t even finished. The care from all of the staff has been fantastic, they are approachable and focused on ensuring happy and intelligent children. The school have been really good at communicating to parents in weekly newsletters what’s happening to help you coax infor out of your child at the end of the day.

The wrap around care and facilities for working parents is fantastic, lots of different clubs and opportunities. It’s a small school still which is helping the little ones settle in quickly. I am also delighted that they are out and about lots. Forest school is a fantastic learning experience and the weekly walks to Balham library are a big hit with my daughter.

There is a real community spirit and the children all seem happy. We have had lots of sessions for parents too to help support our children (phonics, numeracy etc). We have also witnessed happy children in assemblies etc.

Good luck in your decisions, it’s a stressful time.

It’s a very personal choice what school you choose. We are fortunate that many of the local Balham/Tooting schools are doing well. Our daughter started in Sept at RHS and despite our apprehension about the school when we applied and we are delighted. Indeed when we applied in Dec last year the building wasn’t even finished. The care from all of the staff has been fantastic, they are approachable and focused on ensuring happy and intelligent children. The school have been really good at communicating to parents in weekly newsletters what’s happening to help you coax infor out of your child at the end of the day.
The wrap around care and facilities for working parents is fantastic, lots of different clubs and opportunities. It’s a small school still which is helping the little ones settle in quickly. I am also delighted that they are out and about lots. Forest school is a fantastic learning experience and the weekly walks to Balham library are a big hit with my daughter.

There is a real community spirit and the children all seem happy. We have had lots of sessions for parents too to help support our children (phonics, numeracy etc). We have also witnessed happy children in assemblies etc.
Good luck in your decisions, it’s a stressful time.

We were at an open evening for prospective parents last week and were told that Ofsted is due in January. Have to say we left very underwhelmed by the visit - so would be interested to hear the views from any parents

Now that the second intake is a month or so in I wondered if there were any more views on the school and how it's all going? We live fairly close so the school is likely to be one we consider when the time comes. I also wondered if there was an idea yet of when the school is likely to be visited by ofsted?

Thanks.

Thanks so very much for posting DotingDad - I really appreciate it.
That's very good to know.

Sorry to see you've been ignored MVM.
It's going pretty well. We now have a school, which is nice! By which I mean that the building work has finished and the children are in their proper classrooms, with all the facilities such as library, break-out rooms etc in place.
We're happy with our choice. The teaching staff are great and are really focused. I'm sure that will be independently verified in due course.
So when the time comes to look at schools for your lo, do check it out.

Dear All,

now that you are half a yr in.. id be interested to know how you feel..?
We live minutes away from this school and I always wondered what its like (lo is under 2 so not relevant just yet).

Many thanks

Thanks Bossyboots very interesting. And agreed Cronut, let's hope they live up to the hype to give us a another decent option locally.

Alas will be too late for the Jan 2014 application deadline.

Let us hope all goes well to avoid another panic in the area (Ravenstone).

As a note on Ofsted Inspections. All new schools undergo a pre-inspection prior to opening in order to be granted a DFE number which allows the School to Open. This in- depth check looks at all policies, procedures and paperwork relating to regulations and also the curriculum schemes of work across the age range of the school rather than just the year of entry upon opening. Following this as part of the first year cycle, Ofsten return at some point towards the back end of the first year to complete a full inspection as they want to see theory put into practice and check on pupil progress. Ofsted only provide the school with half a days notice to prepare.

When the school says they will be inspected in 2014 they are correct, but tey have no way of knowing when that inspection will take place. In my own experience of children at a new school and being involved in inspections I would expect you will here more in June 2014 following the submission ofthr EYFSP results. Just a guess but to inspect before would be pointless in my opinion.

Hope that helps

I asked that question at the open evening and was told it would be sometime in 2014, but obviously after we have to put our applications in for 2014 entry. I have chased them for a response to my email now but nothing back so far.

May I ask a question, forgive me if it's been covered already, but when will Rutherford House have to undergo an Ofsted inspection?

All the replies on this thread are so interesting, but the arguably objective assessment of Ofsted might complete the picture.

thanks - MrsP

Medway,

Thank you for starting this post and sharing your decision with us. It has really helped a lot of us learn so much over the last few weeks. Good luck!

Yes thanks DotingDad - that explanation makes sense...they have realised they simply cannot make the numbers work with only 28 per class. I agree with sw17mamma though, until the value adds are through in a few years we simply won't be able to tell. The news from Ravenstone is pertinent here - schools do seem to thrive on reputation in SW London rather than the reality of learning achievement. Fircroft for the past 5 years has had better academic results than Ravenstone but the word on the street is that Ravenstone is a better/ v good school...a better equipped playground at Rstone yes, but most kids leave Fircroft better educated.

To those of you who have taken a punt on RHS I say good luck - I think you have been brave and have taken a huge risk, one that I don't think I am prepared to take.