Primary Schools off Balham High Road Post Reply

[Cupcakesw12]

Hello,

We are currently looking into reception class places for next September for our daughter. We've done our homework (read reports, reviewed websites etc) spoken to the Council, visited the schools and now are just looking for some extra information.

We would today place our choice in the following order; Trinity St Marys>Ravenstone>Fircroft>Rutherford House.

I would really like to hear from mums who have experience of Trinity St Marys as when we visited, we found it to be a completely different school to that which had been described to us. And if you wish to comment about our choices, I'd be happy to hear that too!!

[Cronut]

Hi,

The first 3 schools that you mention on your list are fairly close together on the league table as far as performance is concerned, and from friends I have been made aware that St Marys is trying very hard indeed to raise standards in both literacy and numeracy with new teaching staff etc.

I commend you on all the work you have done so far on this, I'd better get doing the same too!

[Cupcakesw12]

Thank you for that.

Anyone else?

[balhamite]

I would also be really interested in any views on trinity st Mary's. the ofstead sounds really promising and I am planning to go and view it in the new few weeks. Did you get to meet the head? Ravenstone and Henry cavendish are my closest schools but I am going to look at all options.

[Cupcakesw12]

Morning,

We met with the deputy head, and we left with a very positive impression.

They have only one reception class and they are really focused on improving upon their last very good Ofsted report.

Do what we did which was phone and make an appointment to be shown around by the deputy head and as it was an individual appointment, we really took our time to get answers to our pre-prepared questions.

We really are very happy.

[Medway]

Personally I think the most important selection criteria has to be how well the children are taught. I would love my daughter to have a wonderful time at school, etc etc but most important is that she comes out literate, numerate and with a fighting chance of getting into a decent private secondary school. So - I will be checking out the Key stage 1 and 2 school performance stats as my primary selection criteria.

Also - how well do they handle the kids who are very bright? My experience with other kids and kids of friends is that if you are below average or significantly above average you are not well served by schools in which class sizes of 30 kids means teachers have to teach to the middle ground.

[Cupcakesw12]

Medway, could not agree with you more!

On your second point, we specifically asked about this and were informed that they have programmes now to support those categories you mention and we were shown the resources/room set aside for them.

[littlebitloopy]

Hiya!

My LO started part time nursery in Feb this year and started full time nursery in Sept. we are very happy with her progress and wellbeing at Trinity St.Marys. The staff are lovely, very supportive and affectionate with the children. My daughter adores all her teachers. She comes home with paintings and new songs every day, I very rarely even get a goodbye in the mornings. My only issue is sometimes things can seem a little chaotic and last minute, but everything seems to pull together in the end which I guess is the main thing. There's a great sense of community with parents, staff and pupils, this is clear to see at school services, sports days and events. All staff get stuck in, it's lovely to see. There is always something going on at the school to keep the kids busy and intersted in learning. There is a good mix of children at TSM, you don't tend so see 'cliques' of parents, we all seem to mix together really well. As my husband is Muslim I was a bit hesitant to send our daughter to a COE school, but I can honestly say that now I don't regret it for a minute. In fact, we have already applied for our youngest to start in 2015! I recommed TSM 100%.

[Cupcakesw12]

Thank you so so much for that.

Exactly what we were after, wow!

[Honeybee]

Do you have to fulfil the religious criteria for Trinity St Mary's to get in? (I note all applicants were offered a place last year - does this mean a number of kids are not C of E?) Although in our case one of our child's parents is Anglican we do not regularly attend a C of E church.

[Goldhawk]

We had a leaflet through the door for TSM
I don't think they are oversubscribed

[Cupcakesw12]

Honeybee

We explained that we were not CofE and they outlined the procedure to us, which included filling out the attached form

http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/downloads/ ... ation_form

As for the leaflets through the post, yes we received one too and I think it is a great idea for schools to get out there and market themselves- as for being oversubscribed, we will only really know that in April when the results are published.

[littlebitloopy]

Although attending a C of E church may increase you're childs chances of getting in, it's not absolutely necessary...When filling out the religous criteria form, just write child does not attend church. My daughter is Muslim and it was never an issue for her getting in.

[Cronut]

so nice to read such positive posts

I am intrigued enough now to book an appointment this week and have a look myself!

[Munchkin16]

My daughter is currently at TSM having started nursery there.She absolutely loves TSM and is always excited to go to school in the mornings. When she started nursery there she was a withdrawn, quiet child due to a serious brain infection which had left her behind her peers by about 6 months. Within weeks we saw a huge difference in her - a child who would not communicate or join in was absolutely blossoming and becoming a completely different child. The staff are amazing in encouraging and supporting her in her growth. They also treat the children like they are their own - the affection that the staff have for the children is genuine and heartfelt. My daughter is also encouraged as she is quite good at numeracy and receives extra work from the class teacher to stretch her. It was a very good decision to send her to TSM as she is a a happy, healthy and confident child and I recommend TSM completely