Bessemer Grange Primary School

[triders]

My daughter has been offered a place at Bessemer Grange. I had never even heard of it before a few days ago. Does anyonoe elses child go there ? I am going to go and have look round but I would love to hear from anyone with first hand experiance.

[Asset]

my daughter also has a place at Bessemer but she's first on the list for the preference school so may not end up going there.

I have heard mixed reports.

Someone I know has moved her daughter to the Hamlet because she was not happy with the school but her other two children had been educated there with no problems.

I think it's probably an okay school but not a great school.

[nicw]

Hi

Our daughter has also been offered a place at Bessemer. I have to say that we were gutted when we recieved our letter from Southwark. It's a real enigma. Nobody seems to know anyone who attends there.....!

We're attending their open morning on May 21st... who knows .. we maybe pleasantly surprised!? I live in hope ..cos I haven't slept in over a week!

you can call me if you like ... 07939148838

[millymoll]

Hi, both my children have attended Bessemer Grange and I currently work there and have been involved for some years. No-one has heard about the school because it is so tucked away! Attending the open day is of course the best way to get an idea about the school but here is a personal view. BGPS has the most lovely bright buildings and is very lucky to have its own wildlife garden and access to a great playing field as well as playgrounds. A huge building project is about to start to build a new Early Years unit and to create fantastic playgrounds - it's supposed to take 2 years so those starting now should reap the benefits, though there may disruption too. There are a lot of - in my opinion - very good teachers and assistants in the school and the school produces fantastic art. There are plenty of trips to museums and workshops at the Picture Gallery too and a very wide range of after school clubs. Academically I think the school is weaker though the literacy programmes in place definitely cater for all abilities and when my son showed real ability at maths there were teachers who really put the time in to help him progress well. There are quite a lot of children with special needs at the school - probably the same all over Southwark, and classes can be noisy. It's hard for me to compare as I don't have much experience of other schools.The school also suffers from "fallout" with children leaving at year 3 to go to Dulwich Hamlet. The Headteacher has unfortunately been away for some time so the school has been through a difficult time with teaching staff trying to fill in the gap left by her absence. However she has now resigned so a new head will undoubtedly be a boost for the school.

The school is due an OFSTED this term so you should soon be able to read more official views than mine online. You can also have a look at the school's website bessemer grange website. Phew! Feel free to ask any other questions.

[millymoll]

Hm. Can't make the link work. The website adddress is www.bessemergrange.southwark.sch.uk

[ratty]

Link don't work I'm afraid - could you check and re-post?

[Keef]

Try this link, I got to the site.

[Guest]

A friend's child transferred there from D Hamlet and they found it much more inclusive and friendly, though the academic standards may be a bit lower.

[Keef]

Academic standards shouldn't be anywhere near the most important thing when considering a primary school (in my humble opinion).

[Gilly]

Hi, my child went to the Hamlet and had a dreadful experience, I haven't heard anything bad about Bessemer although I know if my child could have got a place in Rosendale, we would have been very happy indeed! Are you in the catchment for Rosendale by any chance?

[JB]

Hi I know this is a few weeks after the discussions but heres one opinion about Bessemer Grange. I coach cycling activities at the track in Burbage Road. Recently I organised free cycling activities for some schools in Southwark. Bessemer Grange was one of them.They responded quickly to this offer and were very well organised. (Some schools did not)

This was a group of year 6 and they were fantastic. Well behaved and listened. Both teachers were great Penny and Amanda. Amanda walked her group down from the top of Red Post Hill to join in the activities. Very pro-active teachers.