brockleymum

Yep that's right - no tests at the end of year 5, and therefore no banding! So now individual schools doing their own tests doesn't seem so bad! I'm wondering if Lewisham schools will follow Southwark's lead?!

The Lewisham model of children sitting tests in school time is no more! There wasn't a Lewisham Admission test at the end of the last academic year so it'll be interesting seeing how that affects admissions as many LA schools are not doing separate tests! Maybe that will change in the future to ensure a comprehensive intake?!

My child has thrived as a drummer at Kingsdale - he's played at concerts at The Royal Festival Hall and JAGs in the last few weeks, as well as at school. I think he lives in the Music Department! When we looked at Aske's they weren't offering drum lessons, but that may have changed. It's good that Aske's now let you know the result of the 'Music Aptitude Test' before you have to submit your CAF - I think that was new last year.

I was there too - as a very proud parent. I've been to a few Kingsdale concerts now and I am still staggered at how amazing the music is at that school. Not all the musicians performed either because some are performing at JAGS and The Royal Festival Hall over the next couple of weeks. Well done Kingsdale!

Thrilled with the report. Well done Kingsdale!

There are 3 ... I was referring to the 'original' one which is now Prendergast Hilly Fields. I always thought my daughter would go there (we can get in on 'distance'). My dilemma is the fact that my son is in year 8 at Kingsdale, loving it, and thriving musically and academically. The school is marketed fairly aggressively, but to be fair, the Head has delivered on his promises, and my son is still being taught in groups of no more than about 20. It's a tricky decision!!

Good to hear good things about Prendergast. I know that historically it's been great, but it's so hard to judge on such a short visit. Sunlil, what did you like about it?

We're in the process of applying to secondary schools for our second child. We're in the enviable position of having a sibling place at Kingsdale, and are fairly close to Prendergast in Lewisham so may well get in there on distance. Just wondered if anyone has experience of sending their children to different schools, in different boroughs, and how that has worked out....

my son is reluctantly getting ready to set off for kingsdale.....don't know if the p4 is running up honor oak though?!

Anyone seen any P4 buses running?

My son's also in year 7 at Kingsdale. Coming from a lovely one-form entry primary school we were wondering how he'd find it. But, it's all been great so far. He's taught in small groups, seems to have appropriate homework, is very keen to learn, tells me that the behaviour is good.....all positive. My husband and I are both trained teachers and have been really impressed at what we've seen. It's true the year six open days are a really 'hard sell', but the Head seems to have delivered on his promises of small teaching groups. I had to pop into the school recently and was there for 'lesson changeover' and was really impressed at how calmly the children move around the school.

Anyone coming on the P4 route from Brockley / Crofton Park? Our son starts Kingsdale in September too....

That's great to hear!

My son starts Kingsdale in September too. We chose it over our local Lewisham schools having heard really positive things about it. My understanding is that bullying happens at most schools (and probably work-places too!) but that Kingsdale have handled any such incidents brilliantly. Their reputation has improved massively over the last few years, and so I'm sure they'll be keen to ensure that their reputation isn't unfounded.