Hi there,

Sorry if this all been asked before... I had a look through old threads but couldn't find what I was looking for! We're moving to East Dulwich and have seen a really nice house on Ashbourne Grove but I have a 7 year old who obviously needs a school (going into year 4 in spetember) and a 1 year old who will, at some point, also need educating. I'm gathering the Heber Primary is a current favourite but I can't find details on how near I would need to be and whether Ashbourne Grove is too far to be likely of getting a place.
Has anyone moved to the area and found it quick to get a place or does anyone know where I can find details of the catchment area from previous years?

Any school information welcome and as I said... sorry for bringing up such familiar subject!

Am sure school could tell you. They might well have spaces higher up the school - many round here do as people move out later on in kids school life and harder for schools to fill these places as tends to be less movement later in primary years.

Yep, moving is quite different to Reception applications. When we moved into the area, my stepson was offered a year one place in either Goodrich or Heber (I forget but think Heber) although we were not remotely in the catchment. I'm not sure though whether you'd be good for a sibling place with your age gap, although you'll know that.

I think it would be possible for your 7 yr old but unlikely for the 1 year old (unless you strike it lucky with a bulge etc).
But Goose Green is rocketing ahead and Bessemer looks lovely.
Another thing to think about is secondary, as far as I can work out (anyone correct me if this is wrong...), the newly defined catchment for Charter is the Ashbourne side of Lordship lane.
Good luck.

Yes Goose Green is your nearest but also St John's. I know someone who goes to Charter from Ashbourne Grove.

Will your 1 year old start Reeception while your older child is in Yr 6, or the year after?

I would echo the point that you need to consider secondary schools. Have children from Ashbourne been admitted to Charter in the current application round? Do you know what schools you would prefer for your Yr 4 child? Harris Boys is very oversubscribed and a small catchment, Charter the same, Kingsdale operates a lottery. You may be best to look in a secure location for a secondary school.

Have pm'd you.

and just to put in context how small the catchment is for Harris Boys, one of my twins didn't get in this year (twins in different 'bands' - yes I'm still livid) and we live 0.5 miles (or 800 m) from the school. Yes, really.

The catchment for Charter definately hasn't crossed Lordship Lane this year - and Heber kids living just over in roads like Melbourne Grove, Colwell Rd etc didn't get in either.

"The catchment for Charter definately hasn't crossed Lordship Lane this year - and Heber kids living just over in roads like Melbourne Grove, Colwell Rd etc didn't get in either."

Don't forget it's early days yet – the catchment will grow in the shakedown.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit was 2012:03:05:19:26:14 by Curmudgeon.

Wow... I had sort of thought the catchment for secondary would be slightly larger and fractionally easier than primary and that I'd probably be in catchment for Harris boys! clearly I need to go back to the drawing board... not sure which to focus on. My boys age gap is just too big to get sibling place so i'm a bit stuck... arrrgghhh! it's all too much... (I can't believe they only took one of your twins heber jumble queen... thats an outrage!)