Wiz

I have two children at Bessemer Grange, one in Year 2 and the other in Reception. We are very pleased with the school and both my children are extremely happy there. They are getting a good education and in my experience, the teachers have been very attentive to the childrens needs and have their best interests at heart.

Hi We have a daughter at Bessemer Grange and another starting in September. We love it there. There is quite a lot on the forum about the school if you want to read more but PM me if you would like chat directly.

Hi I have a daughter at Bessemer Grange and a second starting this September. We love the school. I don't know where you live but there are several short cuts to Bessemer Grange from East Dulwich. You can either cut through the end of St Francis Road (near East Dulwich Station) and there is a path that leads you past the Dulwich Hamlet Football pitch. Alternatively, you can take Greendale which is a foot/cycle path that is basically a continuation of Townley Road. It takes us 20 mins max to walk to school from Cyrstal Palace Road.

Hi prdarling I was in exactly the same boat as you last year. We didn't get any of our choices and were allocated Bessemer Grange. The school is at the bottom of Red Post Hill. It is about a mile from our house. Regardless, that is where our daughter is now at school and she absolutely loves it and is thriving there. Personally, I am really happy with the school. I can pm you if you wany any further info.

Hi My daughter started reception last September and really loves it. We are very happy with it as well. They do loads with the children (cooking, yoga, trips to Sainsbury's and the post office..etc) and she is learning very quickly. The classes are small which is also a bonus. There were only 9 children in the class for the first term. Now up to 21 with the January intake. Please PM if you would like any further info.

Hi My daughter started there in September. I will send you a private message.

Hi We live in East Dulwich and didn't get any of our schools choices for our daughter who started reception this September. Instead we were "given" Bessemer Grange. Initially we were quite worried about this as we didn't know anything about it. However we visited the school a few times before the term started and came away pretty happy - the head of early years is excellent. We are now extremely happy with the school. There are currently 2 reception classes with 9 children in each class (but there will be a second intake in January). Both classes have a teacher and a classroom assitant. The school is very pro-active and the communication to parents is good. Our daughter is learning very quickly and most importantly absolutely loves it. No, I don't think you are made to even think about it. Send me a PM if you want any further info.

We live in Crystal Palace Road, just round the corner from Tyrell Road. We didn't get any of our schools choices for our daugher who started reception a few weeks ago (and we put close choices). We were given Bessemer Grange (behind Sainsbury's). To be honest, I had never even heard of it but we have been more than pleased with it so far. The classes are small and really well run. The head of early years is incredibly pro-active and the school is currently having a ?5m childrens centre being built on to it. I would definitely say it is at least worth a visit. It takes us 20 minutes to walk there so really not that out of the way.

My daughter also started at Bessemer Grange last week. She loves it and so do we. It is definitely worth taking a look at and having a chat with the head of early years.

Hi We live 400m from St John's and didn't get in. We applied for an open place. For 2009/2010 entry they only allocated something like 25 church places. 34 open places were offered and 23 places went to siblings (the highest ever). The school gave me this information when I asked. In terms of distance from the school, which is the next criteria after church places, siblings and special needs, the furthest place they were able to offer from the school was 291m! Any way, we ended up with Bessemer Grange (not one of our choices) and we love it - see my post above.

Our daughter didn't get into any of our 4 choices. Our closest school is St John's (we are 400m away) but our other choices were also sensible. Saying that, we were offered a place at Bessemer Grange which is 20 minuetes walk from our house. Our daughter has now had 4 days at the school and is really enjoying it. The classes are small which is great and I have to say I have been extremely impressed by the school so far. The communication from the school since the place was offered has been excellent and the head of early years is very pro active. The school has currently had a great deal of money invested in it and is having a childrens centre being built on to it at the moment. It is definitely worth taking a look at.

Hi My daughter has also been offered a reception place at Bessemer Grange starting this September. We live in East Dulwich and are one of the families that didn't get any of our schools choices even though our first choice is only 400m from our house. Saying that, I have been very impressed so far with Bessemer Grange. The communication from the school has been excellent and the visits very encouraging and informative. On our first visit, the head of early years spent an hour showing us round the school. As yet, we don't know any other children from East Dulwich that will be attending the school. Unfortunately, we were on holiday when the school invited all the new parents and children to an induction day. This would have been an ideal opportunity to meet some other parents and children. If you are interested in meeting up before the term starts please PM me. It would be great for me and daughter to know at least one other starter.