Help re: catchment area for reception in 2015

[Bet01]

Hi everyone, our son is starting nursery at Heber in September. Very unlikely that he'll get a reception place next year though; we're about halfway along Hindmans Road. Given the furthest place given last year was 200- odd metres, we're a bit buggered on that score! Does anyone live on Hindmans Rd with primary age kids and if so where do they go? I've had a look and it seems as if we wouldn't actually be in ANY catchment area (not Goodrich which I found surprising).

So, should we move house?? Or stop panicking?!

[Bet01]

No one at all? There must be someone!

[Belle]

I'm not on this street so can't help on that score, but it occurred to me that you might not be far from the new Harris primary school? It's going to move from temporary accommodation to the site of the old police station (whately rd) next year, I think - though there are others on here who know much more about it.

[Bet01]

Thanks Belle, yes I think we'll be about the same distance as to Heber. You'd hope that with the 60 extra places in the Harris school it'd free things up a bit more (less over subscription to the other schools).

[Belle]

It might alleviate pressure on Goose Green too.

[hellosailor]

I have friends on Hindmans who are currently moving (within East D) for that reason, they found that they would not have got into any school with first round offers, looking at the stats for last couple of years, but then as others have said, the new Harris should expand catchments by adding another 60 places.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

Have you asked Neighbours on your road with children ? That is what I did .

[peggoula]

Hello, we live on crystal palace road (the LL end) and though 280 metres away from Heber our daughter is 8th on he waiting list (with thankfully a place at Harris). Unless you live very close to the school (this year I know 8 people that live on Heber road!) Heber is very unlikely. Look at the people on the street, though the people next to us go to Goodrich and across the way to Heber... So mostly depends on whether there are tons of siblings and pure luck. Hopefully by next year Harris will be a good option for you (I really hope so cos my daughter will be there!) so may see you at the school gates!

[EDmummy]

We live on Hindmans and our son goes to Heber but we have an older child so he got in as a sibling. Other children in this road go to Goose Green (although that may be nursery) and St John & St Clements. Heber's over subscription at Reception is totally down to siblings. There's a lot of breeders ;-)

Funny enough, from yr 3 onwards there's under subscription at the school as children leave to go to prep schools or move to Kent/Surrey for grammar schools.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi bet01,

your closest schools are Heber, Goose Green, St John's and St Clements, Goodrich, Harris ED and Rye Oak. Goodrich, being a larger school does tend to have a significantly larger last place distance offer than Heber (also more movement on its waiting list). this year Harris ED had a direct application process and for 2015 it will be integrated into the London-wide process so there will be an extra 60 places in the local area in the initial application process.

Things vary from year to year so it's hard to predict exactly what will happen next year with a specific school!

Renata

[Bet01]

thanks everyone. I really don't want to move and have to spend ?20k-odd on stamp duty as well as estate agent's fees, just for going down the road a little bit!

I'm not that bothered if he doesn't get into Heber, I've basically ruled that out. Goodrich, Goose Green or St Johns and St Clements would all be great options - plus of course Harris. My biggest fear is that he doesn't get into any of them, and then it really would be a problem trying to get him to school in the morning if it's further away. We don't drive and his nanny is very local and wouldn't be able to travel as she has another child to look after too.

I'm reassured to hear that he has a chance with some of the others. My next-door neighbour has two girls but they go to JAGS - so not much help there! will attempt to find other kids on our road and investigate..

[katgod]

you need to be looking out for mini ones in shiny new uniforms in September who do not have older siblings. I would not worry too much - most people get in locally eventually. 90 places at Goodrich and 60 at Heber plus Bessemer expanding and the new Harris, Ivydale expanding so that may free up some Goodrich capacity. And St Francesca Cabrini usually seem to have spaces.

Hindmans certainly used to be Heber catchment, and there's no saying it won't again.

[Bet01]

thanks Kat, that's a good point. And September is really the time to find out exactly what happened post-waiting list, etc. I'm not going to panic. I've been reassured by all you lovely folks. And I think Harris is a great option for us and will only be about 400m away from us so that's a definite maybe...

[Honoroaky]

We were in a very similar position and almost moved in a panic to try and get closer to a school catchment. In the end we did just get in to goodrich so I'm very glad we didn't manage it (our flat didn't sell in time). I think each year is very different and with Harris next year the distances will be changing again. I'd be tempted to sit tight unless there are other reasons you want to move. Harris was our back up and by 2015 they'll be moving into their brand new school!

[fleurie]

In my experience everyone gets a school they are happy with in the end. I really wouldn't move, although I totally understand the anxiety.

[Bet01]

Yep I think on balance moving is a bit drastic! I'm pretty sure he'll get into Goodrich even if he's on the waiting list to start with. And I'm actually more in favour of Harris the more I read about it. So let's see what happens...