Telferscot Primary School to be 2 form intake from now on! Post Reply

[Balhammummyx]

I have just had what I thought was just inaccurate speculation from a couple of different sources confirmed by the school themselves.

Our son received an offer of a place at Telferscot for reception this September, I was over the moon although somewhat surprised (pleasantly of course) as we lived just a little bit too far away (or so I thought). When we weighed up Telferscot against Henry Cavendish, we decided one of the great benefits was the fact that it was only a single form and therefore half the size of HC and most other local schools. We really like the character of the place, the vibe if you like and partly put that down to the fact that its a small school.

We asked the Deputy Headmistress when we toured the school if they would have another bulge year as they had done the last two years running and she said that they wouldn't, that they didn't want to, and that in any case they didn't have the room and that it would therefore be impossible.

I am furious that such a vital piece of information as this wasn't relayed to us and all the other parents who will have applied to the school. Indeed many other successful applicants may still not know. I feel deceived and misled. I am also very worried about where they are going to put these extra children. The school secretary mentioned temporary classrooms in the playground. They are notoriously badly ventilated and inadequately heated, this will reduce the already small playground and put additional strain on the other school facilities.

Does anyone else know anymore about what their plans are? How are they planing on accommodating this year on year, an additional 30 pupils? I know the extra places are needed and it's probably the only reason we managed to get a place. But I am really angry and concerned about what this means for our son and his sibling in years to come.

[fionapm]

There was a campaign for the school to buy the land the scout hit & community garden is on and extend. Maybe they've done that?

[Balhammummyx]

No, unfortunately I believe the land has been sold to developers who want to build more flats.

[Pud1]

As you say, there has been a significant growth in the number of school age children over the last few years. Local authorities are doing all they can to provide more places but there are still a large number of children who have no school for September. I think that, perhaps if your child was one of those who didn't have a place, you would be grateful that good schools like Telferscot are able to expand and offer more places. I'm sure your son will be just fine.

[i'macowboy]

Um, have I read this right? You were (most probably) only offered a place because there is a bulge class, but you're complaining that there's a bulge class?

[Balhammummyx]

No actually, you haven't read this right. My complaint is that we weren't given the information about the change to a two form entry school (which means an extra class EVERY year not just a one off which is what a bulge class is meant to be). We specifically asked about this and were not given the information.

We could have put Henry Cavendish as our first choice and I know that we would have received an offer there as we live closer than friends who have received a place there. If I had been given the truth when I asked we might have chosen to send my son to a school that has adequate provision for two forms instead of one where where he is likely to end up in a portakabin.

Whatever decision we would have made, we would at least have been in full possession of the facts.

Putting that aside, my concern now is that the provision for the pupils will be inadequate, they cannot build new classrooms in 3 months and there will be impact on playground space, they will need larger kitchens, etc...

I only want the best for my children. You may think I should just be grateful with what we have, but I have never been one to just accept a situation if I think there is the slightest chance of improving it. I was hoping that I might receive some information for other parents who knew more than I did, or at least some mutual outrage.

[susieq]

I do not know when your toured the school but I suspect that at that time it had not been decided that the school would move to a 2 class entry. Wandsworth do try to match supply to demand for school places and this is only really possible once applications are in. Although it is possible to know roughly the number of children who will require reception places in advance, the sheer weight of children privately educated in Wandsworth (about 1/3rd) does make precise planning hard (but on the other hand reduces the demand on the State sector). In addition it is hard to know the geographical distribution of the places required. Given it is everyone's desire for a local primary school it is hard to judge where the extra places are required until the geographical distribution of demand is available. State nursery places can only give a small picture given the very high proportion of private nurseries. The Wandsworth birth rate has increased significantly over the last few years and of course many families move into the area later plus many parents from neighboring boroughs opt for Wandsworth schools so the picture is complicated. Much of the easy infills in Wandsworth primary schools have already taken place, sites for new schools are rare especially in an environment where housing is also a major issue. I know that Wandsworth have spoken to many of the churches with regard to any spare and suitable buildings, the proposed Putney free school ran into difficulties with planning , its a complicated picture with funds not necessarily the main problem. I do not work for Wandsworth but I do know they try to run the admissions system in as fair a manner as possible , pressure is put on schools to increase numbers sometimes not entirely in line with the schools wishes but the alternative is children without places come September.

[balhamite]

An interesting document from december on lambeth school expansion plans

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/moderngov/doc ... 1%2012.pdf

[audrey]

Telferscot comes under Lambeth Council, not Wandsworth.

[Pud1]

As susieq has alluded to, it's highly likely the school did not know about the expansion when you looked around. Authorities have to act quickly in order to meet the ever changing needs.
You obviously want the best for your child but please don't assume that a good school will become inadequate just because it is expanding. There are many good schools that have already been through this process. And, portacabins are much better these days...!

[aliJ77]

Ring the council and school to ge a clearer picture if you think that will help ease your mind.
We are currently at Telferscot and the school was informed the day before offers were made that they had to take 2 classes. My understanding is that Lambeth are doing their best to buy the land next door and to gt everything sorted for the increased roll. The bulge had to occur because out of the initial 30 places available, 26 were going to siblings. You would not have got a place and potentially not at HC either.

If your that concerned, go on the witing list for HC.

It is a great school, with enthusiatic teachers and I'm sure the school will cope, esp if they have supportive parents and pupils starting.

[Balhammummyx]

Thank you for that report balhamite, very interesting and somewhat reassuring reading.

Anyway, I'm going to try and speak to the school again, no luck with the council so far but I now have some names to try and contact.

It would be amazing if Lambeth can secure that land next door, if they can persuade the church to sell it to them and not housing developers. It would go a huge way to alleviate fears of all the playground being swallowed up to accomodate new classrooms. 26 out of 30 places to siblings is a huge number. I am sure the school wants to maintain the success and lovely character of the school in spite of the expansion and I all I want to do is find someone who will talk to me about their plans. It's easy to assume the worst when all you hear is silence.

I still believe Telferscot is the right school for my son, I just want to make sure that the great school I have looked at over the last few years is still the same school I send him to. I know that every single other Telferscot parent will feel the same way.

[CeliaBalham]

I'm a Telferscot parent too. I agree with what Ali said. Just to let you know a bit more, a group of parents formed a group called TAG to try and obtain the land for the school. That campaign has resulted in the council now saying they'd like to obtain the land for the school. This is great news for the school and we're really hoping for a good outcome. The campaign helped to put the school on the map with officials at the council too. It's right that Lambeth made the decision about the extra class this year but the school agreed with this as it recognises it has a duty to serve the community within which it is located, we all know there is a chronic shortage of primary schools around here. There will also be benefits to the children in terms of a new building, better facilities and even greater opportunity for the children in terms of teaching. Everyone is really keen to ensure that the facilities in the short term are the best they can be. TAG have an ongoing interest in this and have met with the Leader of the Council and raised it with her. I've got two at the school and another one who will be there soon. They are really happy there, Telferscot is a lovely place, and I think the atmosphere and sense of community will be preserved even with two forms of entry. PM me if you want to chat more.

[Katskii1]

I have to comment on the fact that balhammummy is 'furious' at the school becoming a 2 form intake - should she not be delighted her child is in a great school, that 2 forms allows for more children to go to a great school and counting herself lucky that her child even has a place at a good school where so many other nappyvalley netters children didn't even get their 1st/2nd or even 3rd or 4th choice. To me and I am sure a lot of others this opinion is short sighted and selfish in view of the wider community that a bigger school can benefit

[Katskii1]

I also doubt a happy child in a happy school will notice if he is in a ports cabin or not! I personally went to Jags many moons ago and was taught in a porta cabin for 3 happy years