Broomwood Hall offers - Nightingale Lane and Garrard's Road Post Reply

[Busy Mummy]

Has anyone had any experience of applying for the Nightingale Lane site but been offered the Garrard's Road site? We have heard that people have been offered the Garrard's Road site when they wanted Nightingale Lane. Is it anything to do with summer babies, too many boys / girls having been made offers already or trying to put you off going because Garrard's Road is also for those who they don't really want to offer places to at Nightingale Lane - or at all. We want to go for a local school and Garrard's Road is certainly not local for us so rather defeats the purpose of all of this.

[Goldhawk]

we wanted NL and got offered GR - didn't know any better so just accepted it
this wasn't for a summer born child

same happened to a friend - she said sorry GR is no good for me - they relented and gave her NL

I think they just try it on as GR is less popular

[ready2pop]

I thought they just went by which was closest to you? I suppose if you are in Balham then they could be equidistant so you may have to argue about which one you are allocated.

[broodje]

I think it's purely a deman/supply thing, nothing to do with wanting you at Broomwood or not (or wanting or not wanting you at a specific site). Nightingale Lane is always oversubscribed for reception and waiting lists remain for further up the pre-prep. It's simply because demand for private school place in SW12/SW11 is much higher than in SW16 (socio demographics). So it's easier to get a place at Garrad's road simply because there is less demand. Some people who really want Broomwood go for Garrad's site even when they live in SW11/12 (but didn't get a place at Nightingale). They can stay on waiting list for Nightingale and sometimes switch, but not that frequently. Sometimes, they switch schools because commute is really crap. I like Broomwood (as much as I can like any school), but I would have tought time driving streets perpendicular to Northcote Rd and close to Nightingale Ln for 4 years! The thing though is that the only option than is Thomas's which is selective (I didn't want that). So many people still do it (the driving, I mean). But it's far from ideal. On the plus side, Garrad's site is larger and less crowded, really more pleasant from my point of view.

Also, note that the Headmistress changed at Garrad's site. The previous one was absolutely brilliant in my opinion, absolutely top notch. She left this year, no idea on how the new one will play out.

[madamex]

Not sure on the allocation process but we are at Broomwood Hall on Garrads Road. I commute from Wandsworth Common and it takes me 10 mins, albeit in the car. I absolutely love the school, grounds, facilities etc. The new head, Mrs Graham, is well respected as I believe she was in this role prior to Mrs Melrose. My experience of her so far is great, a very warm person. I wouldn't change the location to Nightingale Lane even if offered a place and even though this is closer to our home.