Belham School

[missyelliott]

Hello

I am currently looking at schools and would really appreciate some honest feedback about the Belham school. Please PM if you would prefer. I am hearing very mixed things although a lot is positive but I would really like to get a few more parents feedback. I have been to the school tour, looked at their information etc but you can't beat first hand reports too.

Any insight would be massively appreciated

Thanks

[Strawbs]

Hi I've tried to pm you but your inbox is full. Hi. I am going through the same process so if you get anything that's useful would you mind sharing? Thanks! X

[missyelliott]

In box cleared now

Will do x

[tomo]

I'm in the same situation, considering schools closest to me, The Belham, which feels like a bit of an unknown despite going on the tour etc and Goose Green although the recent league table results has thrown me.

Would love to hear any first hand experience of the Belham. Happy to receive pms.

Many thanks

[bubbachumps]

We have a son at Belham and so far we are very happy. It's early days for the school but we have no issues so far. The teachers are very high calibre and the curriculum seems excellent. Our child is happy and settled and has made some lovely new friends. The children are taken out and about regularly and have specialist dance and music classes. The only disappointment has been the delay to the permanent building but we feel sure it will be worth the wait. The staff are very responsive to comments and requests. Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. However this is a new school and any Belham parent only has a term's worth of experience here.

[mima08]

HI - my son is at Reception at Belham and so far we love it. He is enjoying it, seems to be doing really well and there is a nice atmosphere among the parents. There were some very minor teething matters, but nothing serious in any way and it's all settling in nicely. Another thing I like is the opportunity for parents to get involved and shape the schools (am doing this) - pm me if you'd like to know more.

[missyelliott]

Thankyou. Appreciate your feedback.

[jimmyraj]

My son is in reception at The Belham. We've been really impressed with the school. I was part of the group of parents who originally supported the school's application to the DfE and I'm pleased that it has delivered on the promise. Of course there are a few limitations from being on the temporary site (though I think the new site will be very much worth the wait) but the teaching and teachers have been excellent. Parental involvement has been encouraged from the off, and it has a very creative curriculum, though my son has also come on leaps and bounds in reading, writing etc and has a very good circle of friends. Very happy if you would like to PM me.

[James Barber]

Worth also confirming that latest plans of building works -http://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/documents/s51706/Report%20GW2%20Belham%20Free%20School.pdf

Building structure worse than expected from previous surveys. So proposal is now to open 3 ground floor classrooms ready for September 2016 and keep two temp classrooms.

[dhjs]

Thanks James, for posting this link to Southwark minutes -much appreciated.

And thank you to Belham parents above who have posted such lovely comments. As you know, we have always been excited about the opportunity to open a new school in such a great area, in such a fantastic building.

It is taking longer than we hoped but as I've said at Open Days - the Peckham area is our classrooms and London is our school -the limitation of space is no limitation to educational ambition.

We know that some (not all) parents have a choice as to where they send their children and I think we are lucky to have such great schools in Southwark - the combination of goodschools, interested parents, and 'hungry for knowledge' children,....and London, should combine to make great learning experiences.

Don't forget to get your E admissions in on time.

Have a great Christmas and New Year.

Sonia Case

[landsberger]

Run by the same people who run Dulwich Hamlet, so if that suits you, this might as well.

[H4]

Another content Belham reception mum here - yes, with only a term behind us, and despite the disappointment of not having the whole new building complete by next September, I'd still say the Belham isn't much of an unknown quantity.. Dulwich Hamlets has been running for years and the two schools are very closely linked, it doesn't feel risky at all. The staff are all lovely, the kids seem happy and any teething issues to do with the newness of the school have been dealt with very well. Our child is happy there, loves his teachers, comes back singing and dancing and telling me about so may things - he's having a whale of a time at the Belham, both in and outside the classroom. Not sure what more we could ask for!!!