Goose Green vs. St. John's and St. Clement's

[Donkey]

I'm having a dilemma over which one to choose. I loved them both. Both had a great atmosphere with lots of energy.

I like the C of E factor of St. John's and St. Clement's but reception seemed a bit freefall (although i'm sure that doesn't matter). Goose Green seemed very exciting with a real sense of direction. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[clux]

I can't believe someone in ED has managed to get

1. a choice of schools

2. a choice of schools they actually want their child to go to!!!

[Fuschia]

Which are you most likely to get in to?

St Johns you wll have more chance if you qualify under the church attending criteria, though some places just go on distance (once nonreligious siblings have been acommodated)

GG will be "closest community school"

[Donkey]

Likely to get into either. Goose green and heber are equally our closest schools but we should get into st. Johns under the church criteria.

[Fuschia]

McE Wrote:

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> Likely to get into either. Goose green and heber

> are equally our closest schools

Really? I don't think that can actually be the case under the council's policy, i would double check which is your closest community school, officially, as you will only have a decent chance at that community school.

[mrs.lotte]

Dear McE,

Sent you a PM

Good luck with your decision.

Mrs Lotte

[prdarling]

Gosh McE I love your optimism. I thought I was likely to get into my closest school 400m away but it was not to be.

Hate to break it but 'Likely to get into either' sounds super naive in 2010 ED

[sillywoman]

Hmm, like the other posters I wonder how aware you are of the tricky school situation in ED? If you live between Heber & Goose Green then you may fall into the ED 'deadzone' school wise and find you don't have a place at either because you're too far away from both. If that's the case you'll be offered a place at a school in North Peckham.

PLease check out exactly which one is your closest community school and how far you are from their door, then check how far away people were who got places last year to get a realistic idea of which school you should apply to. Good Luck.

[sunbob]

find you don't have a place at either because you're too far away from both. If that's the case you'll be offered a place at a school in North Peckham.

Hello, I was wondering where people not close enough were sent. Why would it be N Peckham and not closer S Peckham, do you know? Thanks.

[sillywoman]

AFAIK its wherever they have a school with places to spare in Southwark, & I think all the south Peckham schools - like ED schools - are usually now full or oversubscribed. Every year is different mind, & I know that many ED schools now have bulge classes to try & compensate for Southwark Councils crap forward planning & social policy for ED, but as prdarling might testify, every year a few families in ED fall through the net and it's best not to assume anything with regard to school places. As someone said to assume your child is 'likely to get into either' of two schools is extremely naive in the current climate - more like "likely to get into neither".

[James Barber]

Goose Green school is being provided a significant slab of the ?12M ear marked for resolving Primary School places to fund effectviely a complete remodelling of the ground floor - new kitchens, etc.

GG side of this is to support a bulge class.

So I think McE is being quite realistic in thinking they have a cgoice between GG and StJ&C.

[sillywoman]

If they're in GG catchment James. Every year is different & past history suggests that assuming a 'choice' in ED isn't realistic. However with GG and other schools having bulge classes you could be right - maybe this year things will be different. If I were applying for primaries now I couldn't be as confident as the OP though.

[Fuschia]

the op said she was equally distant to get heber or gg on distance... that was what i queried as you can only have one 'closest community school'

[craigy]

James- when you say GG is being given money to support a bulge class, does this mean for the sept 2011 intake (ie this years applications) or for coming years as would it not be a little early for them to bulge if just out of special measures putting additional pressure on an improving school?

[DagmarJ]

My son is in Yr 3 at GG, progressing well and very happy, as are his parents. You're right, there is a great sense of direction, the staff are fabulous, led by a strong senior team and head of school who is often seen in the playground, talking to parents at start and end of day. From what I've heard from friends at other schools that is not standard, and I think it's great that she is so visible and accessible.

When we looked round St J& St C (though admittedly that's now a few years ago) we did not get to speak to any of their staff (apart from receptionists who put us in touch with a couple of very nice children who showed us round the school), not to mention the head teacher, whereas at GG the head teacher at the time showed us round the school and answered questions (and that tradition carries on).

Children at GG come from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds, all of which contribute to school live and play their part, but none is dominant (which suits us fine as believe children should have the freedom to make up their own mind).

If you can't decide, maybe you need to have another look round the schools - GG does tours on the first Monday of the month which coincide with PTA coffee mornings so you can speak to existing parents.

If you want to know anything specific, you're welcome to pm me.

Dagmar