primary schools in tooting

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firengine
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primary schools in tooting

Postby firengine » Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:04 pm

Hi All, I bet this topic comes up every year around this time, so apologies but I am new. New to this forum and new to the UK education system and relatively new to our area, so I will really appreciate any constructive comment and advice you can give us. We live on tooting bec road between Franciscan road and church lane (+/-), we are Catholic but we can't prove weekly Mass attendance so I think I am fair to say that we can forget St. Anselm, St. Boniface and St. Leonard Church schools (although I would like to receive feedback on these schools as well, specially the last one and understand how much religion oriented they are). We are therefore left with Hillbrook, Franciscan and Fircroft (at least these are the ones I have). I didn't include Tooting Primary because seeing previous years, it seems we are not in their catchment area. Anyone knows Fircroft catchment area? I could not find it online. I am going to visit all of them; today I was impressed by Fircorft and their PTA, community feeling and new headteacher, so I know all the good things about this amazing school, but let me know if you think differently. What about Franciscan and Hillbrook? Any other I should include in my list? We have no car so must be close by and with good and "long hours" breakfast and afternoon clubs. 
Thank you so much for any help and advice!
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MizzleMummy
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Re: primary schools in tooting

Postby MizzleMummy » Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:23 am

Hello, my child started in reception at St Boniface last month. It was undersubscribed this year which means there are only 20-21 pupils in each class - essentially private school numbers in a state school. Also, it's an Outstanding Ofsted school and its KS1 and 2 results are the best I've seen in the area. Plus it's a really lovely school with an active PTA and lots of activities and events through the year for families. If you need any info, do feel free to PM me.
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shaneleone
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Re: primary schools in tooting

Postby shaneleone » Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:40 am

Just echoing what you already have seen at Fircroft - I have three children there and couldn't be happier with the school.  Amazing community feeling, very inclusive, and wonderful families.  Good luck with your search, and I'm happy to talk further if you'd like to speak to a Fircroft parent.
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rooting4tooting
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Re: primary schools in tooting

Postby rooting4tooting » Mon Oct 22, 2018 12:35 pm

I have had two children at Fircroft and still have one.
Your children will enjoy their time at Fircroft. I echo all the points raised earlier in the conversation.
I add though that if you want your child to be in with a chance at Graveney or a grammar or an academic independent, you will have to have a tutor for your child in Maths. The school removed their extension classes and have not stepped up to teach more able children more challenging maths in the inclusive classes.
I must say, the safe guarding of the children is superb, and the pre and after school facilities are very useful and some of the clubs are very good.
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southlondonpride
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Re: primary schools in tooting

Postby southlondonpride » Mon Oct 22, 2018 3:52 pm

Hello
It’s great that you were able to visit Fircroft and liked it.
Both my children went to Fircroft all the way through from nursery. One is now in secondary school and one is still there. They have both excelled at the school and had a very happy, fully rounded, experience. What I really love is that Fircroft properly reflects the diversity of its location and embraces and celebrates all its pupils like one big family. As well as providing a creative curriculum, there is a great range of sports and arts extracurricular activities available before and after school, some of which are still offered for free. In addition there is also an on-site breakfast and after school club which provides childcare if you need it.
With regard to the earlier comment on maths extension classes, as I understand it, in accordance with recent government curriculum changes, all schools now have to use a maths ‘mastery’ approach whereby the pupils are taught as a whole class to truly embed their learning rather than being taught in different ability groups and pushed on too quickly. However, more able pupils are still stretched and challenged and given extended work within class settings and given extended homework. I also know of Fircroft pupils who have taken up selective school places who have not been privately tutored.
I would also add that there is a very good choice of state secondary schools in Wandsworth so it is not necessary to seek selective or independent school places unless that is your preference.
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headshrinker
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Re: primary schools in tooting

Postby headshrinker » Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:09 pm

You could also get into Ravenstone and Trinity St Mary’s in Balham from there. What about Furzedown too? Go have a look at them all. They all have open days around this time. Ravenstone’s are:
6th November at 5.30pm
13th November at 9am
20th November 9am
1st December at 10am
4th November at 9am
A lot of them will have fairs and Christmas events that you could go to as well. Gives you a sense of the school community which is a big thing to consider too.
You should have plenty of choice though.
Best of luck.
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