Views on St Faiths, Tonsleys Post Reply

[Tonsleymum]

Hi

I was in a quandary as to where to send our son to primary school. We live near Wandsworth Town Station. We're not close enough to Allfarthing and with Swaffield's increasing popularity, there's a chance we wouldn't get into there. So, I thought I better look round the small school in the Tonsleys - St Faiths.

I was so surprised. I loved the feel of the school - the sense of space and light. The headmaster, Mr Cook, is impressive. I've since checked their perfornance stats and they get some of the best results in the area. I can't believe I've been living on top of this school and knew nothing about it.

Does anyone else have any insight on St Faiths? Would be great to hear from you.

Thanks

[Happy mummy !!]

I am in a similar position in that I live on Trefoil Road- too far away from Allfarthing and not that impressed with Swaffield (too big and hectic for my daughter). After I heard a few mum's talking about St Faiths, I thought it was worth going to have a look. Having worked at Allfarthing and some other schools in the area, I had certain criteria I was looking for- I was very pleasantly surprised !!! The one form intake was a massive selling point for me along with the headmaster, who clearly is on a mission to make this an outstanding school. I was also shocked about how much outside space they have.

I looked at the Ofsted report and found it to be quite misleading- I noticed that it was done in 2009. I certainly feel that it is a significantly better school than the last Ofsted report suggests.

It would be great if we could have another great school in the area instead of all 'fighting' to get into a small handful of schools.

I would love to hear other views about St. Faiths...

[FraggleRocks]

I have also been trying to find out more about this school. I don't have any direct experience. My thoughts below not criticisms but things I'm trying to find out more about, and might be worth asking the school about:
- Like some other local schools it seems to have a bad reputation. I've been warned off it by people, although they've not had anything to really back this up. Apparently attendance was very poor in the past and still below other schools, which may be hard for teachers to manage. I suspect - like other schools nearby - its actual performance is much better than the local grape vine.
- A few years ago apparently it had 3 heads in 3 years, lost a lot of children and was generally poor performing. Clearly the current head has done a lot to recover this situation, but the school is still undersubscribed (which at least means smaller class sizes!). I think they said 26 in reception at the moment.
- The head has been there for 7 years. This would seem like enough time to properly turn around a school to me, and it's not clear that this has happened (at least not reputationally). The results are ok though as you say. But what are the heads plans? If he's been there 7 years and had a good impact on the school, will he stay?
- The building and feel of the school are great. I loved the outside school and my husband got overly excited on our visit about the 5-a-side pitch! But I have found it difficult to get information about their learning/teaching ethos. As it is so small they don't seem to have any subject specialists as far as I know (not a big deal really, but would be nice to have higher up the school in things like art, music, languages). I love the fact they have curriculum information on their website. All schools should do this.

Good luck with your choice. I definitely think it is a school worth seriously considering.

[SWTonsley]

Great to see that there is momentum growing around this school

I recently went to a Tonsley Residents Association where a gentleman stood up and gave an overview on what has been going on behind the scenes by nearby residents regarding this school.

Apparently this is being driven by new parents of the area who want to send there children to the local school for the right reasons.

I do not know how well known this is?

[Tonsleymum]

Been meaning to respond to you FraggleRocks, but it's been Christmas madness in our household! Anyhow, I'll answer your concerns as best I can, as a prospective parent. Incidentally, Mr Cook appears to be extemely amenable, so if you are serious about the school, I'm sure you could talk to him over a coffee. (Perhaps in the new year!)

As far as St Faiths's reputation or 'misrepresentation', this goes as far back as seven years ago, when the school was struggling and was a 'filler' school, with kids living a long distance away. Mr Cook, the new head, came from a 'challenging' school in Roehampton, and over the last seven years he has strengthened the staffing and put robust performance and behaviour measures in place. He has also gained considerable funding in improving the school facilities. So, the perception of St Faiths is a hangover from the days when the school was not in a good place. What also doesn't help this perception is the fact that you can't see the school or the children because of the high outer walls and that few people from the local area send their kids there. So, it's just not a school that's talked about.

I presume it's taken seven years to take a school from a not great position to be one that is a really good school. And I think this is starting to filter through in terms of DoE results. The results aren't just ok, they're really good! St Faiths did better than all the other local schools last year. Better than Allfarthing, Swaffield, Beatrix Potter and St Anne's. See the Department of Education's Primary school league tables.

You also talk about the head's plans. And I have to agree with you, as I found him so compelling on the tour, I found myself thinking, "yes, that all sounds great, but how long are you going to stick around for?". One of the parents asked this question at the Open Evening and he answered, "as long as I feel challenged". I appreciated his honesty and the reality is that good headteachers leave good schools (as Allfarthing), and there's not a lot we can do about it. I plan to be as actively involved in my son's schooling as I can.

In terms of the teaching ethos, I was fortunate to look round the school with a friend who is a school teacher and she quizzed the head on this. She said she was impressed with their phonics system and the rigorous level by which they measure performance. Finally, in terms specialist teachers, like a small business, they bring in specialist teachers when required, e.g. they have a programme of visiting artists who spend time in the school and then inspire a range of creative projects across the school. Also, they have a relationship with a national football club, who come in to the school. I think it's Chelsea. Swaffield have a relationship with Crystal Palace, so I'm not suggesting this is unique, but it's a fantastic way to encourage sport within state education.

Good luck in your school choices. We're fortunate in Wandsworth that we have so many good schools to chose from.

[Happy mummy !!]

I found out that my daughter got into St. Faiths, which my husband and I are really pleased about. It subsequently turns out, following conversations with mother's I've met at play groups/ nursery about schooling, that there are a number of children I know of, also going.... GREAT News. Looks like its popularity is ever increasing.
Also found a FB page which has been recently set up for parents of children who are definitely going and prospective parents, as a forum for questions and getting to know each other (St Faiths Parents, SW18)

Bring on September !!!

[ajm62]

Hi. I don't post on Nappy Valley much but felt compelled to add to the thread ...

I live in the Tonsleys and my daughter started in the nursery in January, shortly after turning 3. She is absolutely loving it and I am thrilled at the progress she is making. I can't speak highly enough of Mrs Wanat the nursery teacher and her 2 teaching assistants - all the kids adore them.

I think it has really benefited my daughter being in a proper school with older children around (although the playground for reception and nursery is nicely segregated from the area where the bigger kids play). In her previous nursery, where she had reached the oldest room, she was getting frustrated being surrounded by younger kids, whereas now she is really thriving - and is only too keen to get her uniform on in the morning (a huge relief from the usual arguments about what to wear!).

They use Ruth Miskin for teaching phonics, which a friend of mine who is a primary school teacher really rates, and I am amazed at the progress my daughter is already making in learning to read simple words and write letters. I know it's only nursey, but I certainly don't feel at the moment that she is missing out by not being given a private education. In fact I applied for her to go full time in the nursery from Sept as I feel the extra 3 hours (which are all still free) will really benefit her far more than being at home.

Since discovering this gem on my doorstep I have been speaking to other local parents and there is definitely a buzz at the moment about the school. I now know a handful of mums from the Tonsleys, the other side of East Hill and over on Harbut Rd whose kids have nursery places to join my daughter in Sept (and several more who will join for reception the following year). I gather 8 Tonsley/East Hill mums have kids who have just been awarded places for reception in this autumn (Happy Mummy, you must be one of those?! - congratulations). 3 of these mums for the nursery/reception, who I know, are involved in the teaching profession themselves, so that's a great endorsement of how good St Faiths must be, as they clearly know what to look for in a good school.

There was a get together of local parents back in the autumn, which I went to, which was incredibly positive. One of the dads said Mr Cook was the most enthusiastic and inspiring head teacher of all the schools that they had been to look at (some half dozen or more, mostly private) - and another mum said she liked the more intimate feel of the school with its single form intake, compared to the larger ones nearby. Looking at the SATs the school is performing as well as the likes of Allfarthing and Honeywell, even better in some areas. It may not have a level 1 Ofsted yet, but things have tightened up considerably since they were awarded to the other schools and a friend who is an Ofsted inspector says level 2 really isn't to be sniffed at. I think it's only a matter of time though, given what Mr Cook and his staff have already done to improve the school over recent years.

I will definitely be putting my daughter down for reception when application time comes in January, and am relieved that we won't have to spend some £100k+ on estate agents/stamp duty/house prices to move the other side of East Hill just to try and get into the catchment area for Allfarthing.

Great to hear about the Facebook group. I will definitely be joining - even if I will be preaching to the converted!

Apologies for the long post - my enthusiasm has got the better of me!

[MamaH]

My child goes to St Faith's - in the reception class currently. I'm not sure it is undersubscribed at the moment - rumour has it that people were turned away from the reception this year. It is a small-ish class at 26 tho, so rumour may be wrong.

I am happy with it. I like the way they have the nursery and reception mixing, I like the small group teaching they do and I like the mix of pupils who go there.

My child didn't go to a nursery and is coping with learning to read and write in two languages simultaneously, so didn't have the easiest of entries into full time education. The teachers really rallied behind us though, they have been really energetic in their support and in looking for solutions, and he's getting on well now.

The only downside I've found so far was that they had a bit of a drawnout changeover between one teacher going part time and another coming back from maternity leave, with a number of supply teachers for a while and they do seem to have two and a half main teachers in addition to the teaching assistants currently, which must take some co-ordination. I like the teaching team now, though, and they seem to have got into a rhythm as far as handing over goes.

And finally, their assemblies are great fun - I highly recommend taking the offer to go up when it is made.

Can I ask - what is the Tonsleys?

[Happy mummy !!]

Hi Mama H,

My daughter is starting there in September so it's really interesting to hear the views from an 'insider'. Have to say, that I have very rarely heard anything negative about the school and certainly no more than any other primary school in the area. Can I ask if you felt the teaching team were proactive in addressing the issue regarding your son's learning to read and write in 2 languages or did you have to push them a little?

P.s The area in which the school is situated is referred to as 'The Tonsleys'. It stretches approximately from East Hill to Old York Road (south to north) encompassing most of it in between.

[MamaH]

I feel they are pretty pro-active and, which is more impt, effectively pro-active about dealing with my son's issues. They are keen for parents to be involved and willing to listen to my suggestions or comments, but they definitely are on the situation without my chasing them. I am very happy with the way the school is dealing with it actually. My son has certainly made huge strides this year. And I also get the impression they are equally happy pushing those at the other end of the spectrum too. One of the reasons why I chose the school was the way they manage differentation actually. I am a teacher and it was a relief to find somewhere with teachers with such a competent vibe.

I meant to say a couple of other things before. The deputy head also seems like a very clued up, dynamic and energetic sort of person. And while it's clear they don't tolerate bad behaviour, I have never heard a teacher having to raise their voices or sound really cross in order to keep the kids in line. There's a really pleasant yet purposeful atmosphere.

Ah the Tonsleys. Yes. I've suddenly noticed that half the roads there are called that. How unobservant am I?

[SWTonsley]

I walked past the school and saw the classroom extension building works is nearing completion. Great to see all the investment taking place.

It all looks very impressive and you do not realize how much space the School has within the grounds at the back.

[ajm62]

There are some pics on the school's website, so you can see what they're up to:

http://www.stfaiths.wandsworth.sch.uk/new-building/

"St Faith’s School has constantly been improving the learning environment for our children. We have developed the Early Years Unit over the past 3 years. As our Junior Class are now full we are investing in improving our junior classrooms. We are extending the Year 5 and Year 6 classrooms; not only increasing the size of the rooms but will be investing in the latest technology. We are always looking for ways to help our children succeed."

[SWTonsley]

Just coming back to this thread as I was asked at the playground by a new mum to the area about some prospective parents get together. Are there any details so when I see her again I can let her know.

[Happy mummy !!]

Hi SW Tonsley,

Re: Prospective Parents info evening- St Faith's

Yes, further to the success of last year's gathering, there is another info evening at The Alma (upstairs room) on Monday 4th November, 7.30pm-9pm. It's an opportunity for prospective parents to meet other local parents with children in the same school year in-take, and to meet parents with kids already in the school. (incl nursery).
Grab a drink and join us upstairs.

[SWTonsley]

Thank you for this.
She told me she has since joined the St Faith's parents FB page and read the details.