Any Holy Ghost parents? Post Reply

[Pud1]

I think they have just had OFSTED. Not sure when the report is out but that might give you some idea. I don't think any school would 'indoctrinate', they would just teach the faith. I believe you have to be a practising Catholic, ie a regular church goer, to stand a chance.

[papinian]

Petal: I am not a Holy Ghost parent but we looked at the school/parish when we were moving.

If you live (i) in Nightingale triangle, or (ii) BTC south of Thurleigh Road or (iii) on Balham Park Road then you have a pretty good chance of getting in, if you meet the faith requirements. Holy Ghost has sign in every week at Mass. (At the time we thought this was a nightmare and put us off, but now we are in a parish that has random sign-ins which is worse - we now plan holidays so we go on a Sunday (mass on Saturday night) and come back on a Sunday (mass on a Sunday night).) The exact details are on the school website, but I think you (or other parent) will need to have been attending Mass there on a weekly basis for three years and have the parish priest certify that, and of course your child must be baptised Catholic (not sure if before a year or before six months).

In terms of the emphasis on religious education we didn't think Holy Ghost differed much from other two state Catholic primaries in the area whose open days we visited.

Fr Stephen, who was parish priest at Holy Ghost for 16 years until last year, was pretty hardcore. He's now moved upward and there is a new parish priest, whom I don't know at all. I think Fr Stephen got a bad wrap from some people because he is a very intellectual Catholic type and wasn't particularly pastoral.

If you're ready do go the whole hog re practising Catholicism then do be conscious that Holy Ghost has had some pretty extreme swings in terms of sibling numbers in the past - I think one recent year had over 20 siblings in a class of 30. This is a problem that is common to all small schools, but the Catholic tendency towards (larger) families doesn't help here.

[breakfastattiffanys]

Petal
In case you were not aware, Holy Ghost has its annual Open Day TODAY (1:15pm) so if you wish to consider this school then it would the perfect opportunity to go and visit the school and ask any questions.

[breakfastattiffanys]

Petal
You might be OK if you haven't been attending HG parish for 3 consecutive years provided you can obtain a letter from your previous parish priest.

Regards admission:
Sept 2012 had 24 siblings out of 30;
Sept 2013's intake only had 13 siblings - which is as low as I can recall it over the last few years.

[Tinasan]

It's a great school - the great teaching and the friendly, inclusive community make a fantastic environment for the children to learn and mature in. It seems to have a reputation for being hardcore, but actually follows the same RE curriculum any the other Catholic schools. As other posters have said, this reputation is probably due to the personality of the last parish priest and the high demand for places resulting in proof being required of prospective families mass attendance (Father Stephen, to be fair, was in a difficult position when asked to sign reference forms stating that a child attended weekly mass, when he might not recall having ever seen the family before!). Anyway, I couldn't recommend it highly enough, my kids thrive there and I couldn't have imagined such a friendly, open and caring school community before they started.

[Tinasan]

And just to add - I have just received the new Ofsted report results (the school was inspected just before half-term) and it has been judged outstanding

[asdfghjjkl]

It is a fantastic school....and if by being too "Catholic" you mean amazing respect and love between all members of the community..then yup! It fosters tremendous care and respect on the part of the children for each other, the teachers, and all else. I don't know how they do it, but it is absolutely evident.

It is our second Catholic school in London and it is certainly no more legalistic or exclusive in that regard; however, there is a very strong relationship with the church and clergy. Frs Gerry and Ola are very warm and open. Personally, I like the religious ed being handled in the school, so I can really help the children reflect, question, and doubt safely at home.

I actually got my 3 kids in while living in another borough entirely...but of course there was an opening for one, then the sibling thing kicked in. Much harder for reception, but places open all the time.