confused about Lambeth schools admissions! Post Reply

[TheDormouse]

If you're not too far outside previous catchment areas it might be worth putting a couple of schools that you're unlikely to get into first time as high choices, so that you get on the waiting lists, as gabster says. But you'd be unwise not to put down at least one school that, realistically, you are sure your child will get into. If you don't get a place at any of your choices, then, as papinian says, you'll be allocated a school once all the other people's choices have been taken into account, and it might be miles away. Have you been to visit all the schools in your area, even the ones you don't fancy?

[UmmH]

Thanks, Papinian and Doormouse. My closest and favourite choice is Sudbourne, so I'm putting that as No.1. I've also seen King's Avenue, Iqra, Clapham Manor, Rosendale and as far afield as Telferscot and Henry Cavendish. I'm going to see Bonneville and The Orchard next month. We're only in the catchment for Sudbourne, King's Avenue, and probably Bonneville since it wasn't oversubscribed this year. So on our list, should I select those schools above Henry Cavendish, Telferscot and Clapham Manor?

[TheDormouse]

Not necessarily - put the schools in your genuine order of preference. As long as number 6 is a sure thing, you'll be OK (or 5 and 6 if you want to be watertight). If you get choice number 6 it's my understanding that you'll go onto the waiting lists for all your 5 higher choices.

Good luck!

[pigeonairre]

Hello! We are lambeth and I have an August born daughter, so I have gone through exactly this! I was at my wits end with worry. Please feel free to personal message me and I will let you know what our very happy outcome has been and am v happy to advise

[gabster]

We're only in the catchment for Sudbourne, King's Avenue, and probably Bonneville since it wasn't oversubscribed this year. So on our list, should I select those schools above Henry Cavendish, Telferscot and Clapham Manor?

No put the ones you prefer most first and then in order you of preference the rest. The schools dont know who has applied at which preference level. Therefore they offer places based on the criteria and the space they have. The council sorts out who has which at the highest level so if two schools come back they will select your highest one. It all shakes out over the time it takes them to come back to you and you get the highest available place on your list.

If you dont put enough choices they may give you anywhere.

[Mummyinarush]

Hello! Thanks for all the super helpful posts!

We are officially in Wandsworth but right on the border with Lambeth. Does anyone have experience of applying to Nursery or Reception at Telferscot or Henry Cavendish from Wandsworth? Would an application to either of these schools have any chance of succeeding? I am finding the whole process so confusing!

[Goldhawk]

yes - it's based on distance

[gabster]

Hi- we are Wandsworth and got into Henry cavendish nursery and school - it doesn't matter where you live. It is however a different system to Wandsworth and you can apply the term before you are due to start. Call both offices and get them to send you an application form when the time
Is right. HC will offer you either mornings or afternoons 5 days a week. Telferscot allows a more flexible option of 5 sessions including full days so that might swing your choice. Not sure on how many children / spaces in their nursery. There is normally space in Henry Cavendish for most that apply.

[sparkletiger]

i can vouch for Bonneville - a really lovely school in a great community location. Happy to chat with you if that helps

[swimwithturtles]

This may be late to this post, but I'm a longtime parent at Clapham Manor. It needs a new inspection and a new head. There are a lot of issues at the school that the head and the governors refuse to address. Many parents have tried to do so and failed. They build a firewall essentially and they are very good at ticking the boxes. There are some good teachers, but there are also some not so good ones. Very inexperienced. No clue how to deal with the dynamics of a very diverse school population. This creates longterm problems. They don't stay, so you get another set every few years and there isn't much continuity for the children. In recent years a teacher stopped showing up, another just quit, etc. It's happened too many times. Staffing is an issue and for me that is a red flag that it isn't a happy environment behind the scenes. The early years is decent, but with the new government guidelines regarding targets, the pastoral care at the school is failing and the parents are doing a lot of the teaching through excessive homework. The kids who have parents who can't help them for whatever reason fall further behind. Recipe for the very disjointed upper years. There are other schools in the area that have really come along in recent years and were I to be going through this process again I would reconsider those options.