Which school is best catholic school or closest school?(help needed!)

[MelMoohead]

Hello There,

I am a mother of two boys aged 5 and 8 and I have just moved into the Peckham rye area.

My boys currently attend a catholic primary school up north and really enjoy the catholic education it practises. I have been offered two places in St. Johns and St. Clements just around the corner from my home, this has a few plus points

1-my boys will make friend with children in a close proximity

2-we will be able to get involved with the school community as living so close

3-one of my boy is quite creative which is a good part of there ciriculum

The ofsted report was merely average however the school has recently been taken over by a New head teacher?

Or I have been Allocated two places at st francias Cabrini in honour oak plus points

1-faith school

2-more pushy in reading /writing Maths etc (this an only be a good thing!)

3- slightly better points on ofsted

I'm torn between between the two and as I'm not from the area I'm unaware of any hidden issues or word on the street! Any thoughts or experiences welcome!

Confused Mel

[nunheadmum]

You should visit both schools to get a feel. I originally thought of Frances Cabrini as I liked the Catholic option but when I visited the school, I didn't get as good a feel as I would have liked. In the end I chose my local, non denominational school which is just round the corner and I really like the local, community feel. There's a lot to be said for a local school you can walk to, where your kids friends will be all around them when they're out and about.

St John's sounds like a good option as I guess you will get the Christian steer, albeit without the Catholic bend. But as the local schools don't deal with things now like First Communion (that's all done via the parish), I would question what the real difference is between a Catholic and a Church of England school other than perhaps they take the kids to mass on appropriate days etc.

Good luck with the choice.

[MelMoohead]

Hi nun head mum,

Thanks for your post, I am so glad I founnd this forum, I have never lived anywhere that has had one, it keeps the community feel alive! Very important!

Mel x

[millie42]

Hi there,

My son is at William of York RC in HOP and would totally recommend it. I also really love the faith element and strong sense of community that it promotes. Its also one form entry so very small. Its been rated outstanding for many years.

Good luck in whatever you chose.

M

[Mrs TP]

I would recommend St John's and St Clement's. I have two girls there and it is fantastic. My husband is catholic and I am methodist but went to Church of England as a child for Brownies and Guides so we are a bit mixed in our house. St Johns Church which the school is 'linked' to is 'v. high church', communion representing the body and blood of Christ and lots of sign of the cross during the service, lots of incense. Try the church and see what you think. With any school the child's development depends on the encouragement they get from home and the attitude to education. St Johns and St Clements has some v good, experienced teachers and its Ofsted rating doesn't represent the school I know.