The new Graveney Primary School Post Reply

[madunitedmummy]

Just wondering if anyone has a place at the new Graveney Primary school in Tooting?

[LauraBrown]

This wasn't as popular as expected. According to the Council, all applicants were awarded a place and the last place went to someone more than 9km away.

[madunitedmummy]

Thx for info. So funny I just rang Wandsworth council myself and was told all 60 places have been accepted and theyve received many calls from other parents asking for their child to be placed on the school waiting list. We decided to accept our school place for our daughter so fingers crossed all goes well.

[LauraBrown]

Intriguing!! Perhaps things are moving quickly with that school... Maybe it is proving popular with people who haven't got their first choice elsewhere...? Do you live far away from the school? (If I've understood correctly that you're going to that one.)

[DotingDad]

Looks like everyone is being cautious with the new free schools. We got into Rutherford House and the council just told me that the furtherest away successful applicant was 2950m. But that there is a waiting list.

[LauraBrown]

I like to ensure my facts are OK so just rang the Council again to confirm the situation for Tooting Primary School. It is true that the furthest distance was 9331m and all applicants did receive a place. However, since places were announced, there is now a very small waiting list of 3 children (presumably those who are not happy with the school they were allocated).

[livegreen]

Well done to those involved in setting up this school and all other new free schools in the area.
If it was not for you the scramble for primary places this year would have been even more stressful. I am certain the school will be very popular as it becomes established and provide an excellent education for local children.

[LauraBrown]

My interest in the Tooting situation is that the Council seem to have actually overestimated the places required this year. They thought they would need an extra 3-3.5 forms of entry in Tooting but, with Tooting Primary School providing 2 extra forms, there seem to be enough. Aside from the data above, other nearby schools Franciscan and Smallwood were able to offer places to pupils more then 2km away and Broadwater primary school's distance increased by 100m when (all else being equal), you'd expect the distance to reduce due to the move to straight line distances.

Where new places are needed, I completely agree that we should open new schools rather than expand existing schools excessively in a way that destroys the community atmosphere and does not provide enough space for the pupils. My vested interest in this is as Chair of the Broadwater PTA. I am very concerned about the Council's proposals to expand the school against the wishes of the Head, Governors, parents and local residents (although I can't speak for all of them, I have not heard anyone speaking in favour as yet).

However, I am confused by this year's data as it now seems unclear that we need extra places in Tooting anyway. Perhaps the Council's efforts should be focused in the Northcote Road area etc? Any thoughts from Tooting dwellers or others on this point?

[madunitedmummy]

Yes I live in Tooting near the sainsburys so am very pleased that my daughter is able to walk to school. I didnt warm to the headteacher at Franciscan Primary school so wasnt keen on sending my daughter there. I attended the mtgs for the Tooting Primary school and was happy with the plans and thought the new headteacher was lovely. Choosing a school has been very stressful and I do hope all parents and children will be happy with their offer.

[LauraBrown]

Glad you got your choice MadUnitedMummy and it sounds like most people in Tooting will have so that's good as I agree it can be very stressful.

[val72]

My son has been accepted to Tooting primary school and we are delighted. This was our first choice. I have attended all the meetings and believe that the teachers and the new director have a great vision on what education means.
I love the fact that children will be introduced to arts, science, music at an early age. The school's trust is the same as Graveney secondary school, which has been graded outstanding by Ofsted several times.
And being in a school of only 60 pupils the 1st year, what a privilege nowadays !

[LauraBrown]

Sounds good Val.

Just wanted to quickly add that I hope I haven't unwittingly created the impression of negativity towards Tooting Primary School. I'm sure it will be a great school as so many of our Tooting schools are. My interest is because I expected it to be massively over-subscribed as the Council said there were not enough places in Tooting so am very surprised that there doesn't seem to be a place shortage in the schools I've looked into. Just trying to work out what the truth is in the hope of avoiding Broadwater having to expand!