Primary school advice

[ethefury]

Hi All

I'm finding it really difficult, and impossible in some cases, to arrange primary school visits due to each school's differing COVID measures. I've only managed to visit one school so far, all the other primary schools in our area are either not hosting open days or publishing 3 minute virtual tours.

As I'm sure many of you know, the application deadline is January and I have no idea how we are supposed to select 6 primary schools without the opportunity to meet staff or see the school/facilities/resources.

Can anyone offer any insights or personal experiences of:

Kender Primary School

John Donne

Edmund Waller Primary School

Hollydale

Harris Primary Academy

Any advice/suggestions/experience would be greatly?appreciated

[Jellybeanz]

I have friends/family whose children went to Hollydale - good, standard primary... and Edmund Waller, this was quite a few years ago but they liked the community feel, parents had good comms with the teachers etc.

As a mum with 2 primary school age boys I wouldn't worry too much to be honest. Check the Ofsted, do the virtual tours. We are very lucky around this area as the primaries are mainly excellent.

Good luck!

[motorbird83]

A number of schools are offering virtual open days via zoom in which you can get to know the head and ask questions. Harris ED has one scheduled for next week. I'd suggest you ring the schools to see which are holding these as an alternative to traditional visits.

[ethefury]

Thank you for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate your feedback - and yes, I agree, we are very lucky to live in such a well resourced area.

[GG governors]

Hi @ethefury,

We've published a virtual tour of Goose Green Primary School (https://www.goosegreenprimaryschool.org/school-information/virtual-tour). Hopefully this gives you a good flavour of our school and the exciting learning experience we offer at Goose Green, and why we received such a glowing report from Ofsted when they inspected us in January this year (https://www.goosegreenprimaryschool.org/school-information/ofsted).

We are continuing to run online events during lockdown and hope to be able to restart in-person, socially distanced tours when restrictions ease. More info about those here: https://www.goosegreenprimaryschool.org/open-days.

All the best choosing a school for your child and do please let us know if there's anything that you'd like to ask about our school. We?d love to discuss what we can offer for your child in more detail.

Rob

Chair of Governors

[QRPNun]

Hi

I completely appreciate how frustrating it must be not to be able to visit. I loved visiting all the schools.

My kids are at Edmund Waller and absolutely love it there. It is a really caring and creative school.

The school has made a video which I think gives quite a good sense of the school and I think there are some zoom q and a sessions coming up next week

https://www.edmundwaller.lewisham.sch.uk/blog/school-news/virtual-tour-your-chance-to-ask-questions/

Happy to answer any specific questions via DM.

[Renata Hamvas]

If you live around East Nunhead/Telegraph Hill, Harris ED would be too far from you. I would suggest you look at the two Haberdashers primaries as they are also in the area of the other primaries you mention.

Renata

[ethefury]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience of Edmund Waller. We did form a very positive opinion of the school from its video, however it feels like my opinion is very much guided by how well a school edits their video!

I've heard that the Haberdasher Primary School is very good although I think we would be out of their catchment area living in Packham Queens Road area..?

I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thought, thank you.

[bonnierach]

Hi Renata! Sorry for the stupid question but you refer to two primaries at haberdashers. Which are the two? I?m finding it very confusing. We looked at haberdashers aske hatcham temple grove free school is there another?

Many thanks,

Rachael

[PeckhamNicola]

There's one at the top of Telegraph Hill and the other near the big Sainsbury's at New Cross Gate.

https://www.habsfed.org.uk/Our-Schools/

[jac2blade]

Hi,

Along with the video, Edmund Waller are also offering prospective families on-line Q&A sessions and you can sign up on their website:

https://www.edmundwaller.lewisham.sch.uk/about-us/virtual-tour-and-open-days.php

As others have said, it?s a lovely school with lots of outdoor space, a creative curriculum and my kids love it.

[ethefury]

Thanks for this, yes it's a nice idea we've signed up to the Q&A this week. I'm intrigued by the no uniform that appears the children aren't wearing in the video! How does that work practically?! I've always been under the impression (from when I was at school!) that uniform was quite a good leveller, particularly in helping to make children more equal with regards to household income...?

Also, I'm getting a good sense of the creative provision there. Does that also equal their approach to other subjects E.g. traditionally the more academic subjects?

Do you know anything about their SEN and Mental health provision?

There's quite a lot here so don't feel the need to reply! Like I said we have gor the Q&A this week.

Thanks so much for posting and bringing to my attention

[jac2blade]

I?ve sent you a PM!

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Bonnierach, yes PeckhamNicola is correct, the two Haberashers Askes primaries are:

Hatcham Temple Grove - Hunsdon Road, London SE14 5RD

Hatcham Temple Grove Free School - Pepys Road, London SE14 5EF

both feed into the secondary school

[QRPNun]

Hi

In case you or anyone else are interested in visiting Edmund Waller, they have limited tours on Saturday 12th December. Booking here -

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edmund-waller-primary-school-mini-tour-saturday-12th-dec-2020-registration-131011026507

Thanks.

[ethefury]

I wasn't aware of this, Thnak you so much for bring to our attention