Swaffield or Allfarthing? Post Reply

[SW18-123]

I am currently trying to decide between Swaffield and Allfarthing primary schools and I'd love to hear people's experiences at these schools. I always thought it would be Allfarthing for my first choice - it felt as though it was the school of choice for that part of Earlsfield/Wandsworth and others parents I know in the area seemed to talk about Allfarthing as though there wasn't a good enough alternative. Consequently, I went along to the Swaffield open day with low expectations. However, I couldn't have been more wrong; I loved the feel of Swaffield and it seems like a good school. The Headmistress and other staff were lovely and there was a really warm atmosphere. I saw Allfarthing as well and I think the new Headmaster seems great, so I'm now confused. My heart says Swaffield, but my head says Allfarthing (better results, very active PTA and I've heard it's a very sociable school for both pupils and parents). I know I should probably go with my gut instinct, but when the majority of other local parents I've been speaking to say they are going with Allfarthing, I wonder what's wrong with Swaffield?!

Of course the catchment areas are probably going to change and I'll get into neither and then have a different problem on my hands!

Thanks

[EI87]

Hi there

I am in a similar position and our little one actually goes to Swaffield nursery, which has been amazing. Our heart says Swaffield, but the recent SATs results have not been good. Very interested to hear why most people end up going for Allfarthing.

Many thanks

[lemonzest]

What a wonderful position to be in! I cannot speak directly to the Swaffield vs Allfarthing question, as I don't have any personal experience of the latter, but...

Swaffield was our first choice school for our child, who is now in year 2. They are thriving; and we are delighted with the friendly, diverse community and the outstanding head and staff team. There is an active PTA, who both help to fundraise for capital projects (like the refurbishment of playgrounds), and value added things to enhance the curriculum for all of the children; as well as putting on fun events for the children and parents/carers to enjoy. There are a very diverse range of extracurricular activities for the children to sample at low, or no, cost. My child has dabbled in chess club, ballet, Playball and recorder lessons, to name but a few.

I am not an education specialist, so can't comment on the SATs results. I would guess that looking at the size of the school (large, 3 form entry); intake (mixed, and from a wide area); things like diversity (number of children with English as a foreign language; number of children with special needs/looked after; number of children receiving free school meals) may help to understand those impacts.

Hope that this helps!

[EI87]

We are actually meeting the head Mrs Lilley on Friday to discuss the SATS results as we feel it's important to put them into context, and expect some of the reasons may be as you mention lemonzest.

[mumoftwoboys]

Hi there

I have two boys at Swaffield and I have posted on Nappy Valley a few times about the school. We actually lived between the commons when we were applying for schools so we also looked at Honeywell and Belleville as well as Swaffield and Allfarthing at the time and I can honestly say that the school I loved the most and the one that I saw was the best fit for my son was Swaffield and I have not regretted that decision at all. It is a fantastic school and offers so much, my boys love it there and have made so many lovely friends that through them my husband and I have also made a whole new set of local friends that we see often with and without the children - proper friends!

There are a number of clubs run at the school that you can pay a bit extra for your children to join, my boys do French, Spanish, Fencing, and Recorder but there is also things like ballet (I couldn't persuade either of my boys to do it), choir, tennis, Playball and the list goes on. Some of the clubs are run in lunch time and others are after school.

There is an active PTA at the school and there are a number of fund raising events run throughout the year.

Mrs Lilley (the head) and her staff are very friendly and available. It is easy to make appointments to see teachers and Mrs Lilley is usually in the playground every morning at drop off and she seems to know every child's name at the school.

These things are all very important to me, so I say go with your gut. Only you will know which environment your child will fit best in. The fact is we are very lucky to live in an area where there are a number of amazing schools.

Please PM me if you would like to have a chat about Swaffield.

Good luck!

[SW18-123]

Thanks so much for your replies! The number of clubs at the school is also a bonus - and I remember someone saying that Grandpa Fox teaches the chess club. How sweet! It's also good to hear there is a good parent network as I heard that Allfarthing was more sociable for parents (I know that is not key, but it's a nice to have!).

[SW18-123]

Thanks so much for your replies! The number of clubs at the school is also a bonus - and I remember someone saying that Grandpa Fox teaches the chess club. How sweet! It's also good to hear there is a good parent network as I heard that Allfarthing was more sociable for parents (I know that is not key, but it's a nice to have!).

[Wandsworth Chick]

We were in completely the same situation but my heart won with Swaffield and we have no regrets. This is a very welcoming, kind and strong community school where children learn and grow without feeling like it is 'work'.
My eldest son is absolutely loving Fencing, French and football clubs and my youngest is very happy with drama and tennis so they have lots of options for extra curricular activities.
I personally prefer the PTA approach which respects everybody's time and has a less regimented approach
Good luck with your decision

[Mumofboy&girl]

I have a son and daughter at Swaffield and 4 yrs ago I was at Allfarthing nursery and on the waiting list for reception. I saw both schools and came away preferring Swaffield but put Allfarthing as my first choice, swayed by the reputation and demographic. We didn't get into Allfarthing and 4 yrs on, knowing what I know now I feel embarrassed to say I made a choice on my children's education on and an old reputation and how middle class the children looked.

Swaffield is an amazing school, yes more diverse, but we live in London!!!! And at primary level it doesn't matter what background or country, children come from they are all amazing kids, and my children have the privilege to mix with kids from different cultures and countries from France, Spain,Australia, Canada,holland etc....It's not until you are at a school that you realise it doesn't matter.

In the last few years our demographic has changed dramatically, which is down to the re calculation of catchment, the council changed this a few years ago. So now means the big council estate feeds into Allfarthing now not Swaffield therefore balancing the demographic of both schools.

Historically Allfarthing reputation has been the best, but in the last four years it's had trouble keeping its standers high with the constant changing of heads and staff. The new head will hopefully turn it around again but may take time. Swaffields head has been there forever and they retain there staff Giving it a real family feel.

Unfortunately you don't really have all the facts you need to choose a good school until you've been in the school system a few years, so go with your gut and talk to friends of friends who have been in the school system a few years, as they have the real knowledge.
Xxx

[sharonhoney]

My son and my Grandchildren all went to Swaffield, and we were very disappointed with the school. My experience of the school now and since my children were there was that as long as your child does not need any help with schooling then they will be fine. In the case of my Son from year one I felt he needed extra help but he received very little, then it got to the point in year 5 that I took my son myself to the Dyslexic society and paid £500 to find out he had memory Dyslexia. To the school he was just a naughty child not a frustrated child. We moved my Grandchildren to Beatrix potter school, where although at the time were a little behind, Beatrix potter soon bought them up to the levels they should have been at. In my opinion I feel that my son was badly treated by Swaffield School and many years of his learning have been lost. Since leaving Swaffield school he could not cope in a normal school, and was statemented with ADHD, All this should have been dealt with at Swaffield School and I have met other parents who had the same experience as my son so I personally would not recommend Swaffield school for those reasons.
None of us know if our little Darling will need extra help, but we would all like to believe that if they did it would be picked up and helped asap.

[mumofminions]

Hello! All three of my children are at Swaffield and are very happy there. In fact we all are, me and hubbie included. The school is warm and open and friendly and we feel very much part of the community. Every day there is a teacher to greet the families as they drop off their children in the mornings - such a lovely touch.

Our eldest was at Allfarthing Nursery and we put Allfarthing down as our no.1 choice for the similar reasons already posted by everyone on this thread. We even went as far as to appeal the decision. However, I remember walking into Swaffield welcome evening in the summer before my eldest started reception and was blown away by the warmth and love that hit me the moment I walked through the door. Maybe I was a bit more sensitive as my youngest was literally a new born but this is now our fifth year with the school and I still feel the same!

Everything happens for a reason and I am thankful we were given a place at Swaffield. I personally am not bothered by the results. The school is diverse and reflects what London is about. There are plenty of families from high achieving families also but what matters to me for my family is how lovely everyone is and how down to earth everyone I have met are. I've also made some great friends.

Good luck with your final choice. It'll be the right one whatever you decide.

x

[SW18-123]

Thanks for your responses. I think these have sealed the deal and we have decided to go with our gut instinct and put Swaffield as our first choice. I have since found out that two other families are putting Swaffield as their first choice too - so now I've just got to hope that it's not too popular and we actually get a place!