Recommended Primary Schools in East Dulwich

[sarahguha]

Hi all,

My sister is considering moving to East Dulwich and so I wondered if anyone can help advise the best primary schools to register with as this isn?t something I have had to do yet.

Thank you for any help or advice.

Sarah

[carebear]

Hi Sarah,

I?m not sure from your message whether you?re referring to state or private schools or whether your sister is looking for admissions this coming academic year?

I can?t help much with the private schools but have experience of the state sector.

Unfortunately it is not as simple as registering with the preferred options. Applications for reception are made in December/January before the September they?re due to start. You state six preferences and usually places are allocated according to distance (although there are other criteria that may prioritise such as siblings or SEN). Coincidentally admissions for this year closes today, although it?s possible to make a late application.

If the child is older, I believe you make applications directly to the school and the process is slightly different. This is still done on distance so in either case it will depend where your sister lives as to what would be sensible choices.

You can find out more about Southwark admissions here: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/primary-admissions/applying-for-a-primary-school-place

If it?s private schools you?re interested in, I?m sure someone will be along soon to help you soon!

[sarahguha]

Thank you. Sorry yes I should have said. I think she?d be looking at Sept 2020 entry when her daughter is 3 turning 4 in December 2020. I suspect a state school will be the first preference, if there are good/outstanding ones but if not information on private schools would be really helpful too.

Thanks so much.

[carebear]

There are lots of good state schools in the area. Does she know specifically where she?d like to live or might she be guided by the school choice (can be a bit risky as the catchment varies each year)?

A few schools I?ve heard good things about to get you started are Goodrich, Harris, Heber.

There are loads more around and I?m sure others will chip with other schools. It?s worth searching the forum for more detailed discussions of individual schools too.

[tomskip]

I'm not an expert but I'm not sure you can apply to a school unless you live at the address which will be your home address on the school application form. In other words you have to find a house before you can apply for a place at a local school. Although, as I said, I'm not an expert. But that was always my understanding.

[carebear]

Yes, this is absolutely right. Your sister would need to be in situ before the admissions deadline - presumably Dec/Jan 2020.

[motorbird83]

Are you asking so she can decide where to live?

Virtually all the state schools locally are good. Some of the differences between them are down to what you value / where you think your child would thrive. Some schools have better language programs while others have fantastic arts and sports facilities. No state school has the resources to be strong across all co-curricular activities. They all also have different ethos and different wrap around care options.

Harris ED and Goodrich are both popular schools and I know parents very happy at both. I'd have your sister start there and read their Ofsted reports, browse their websites, etc

[goldilocks]

Also, if she's 3, turning 4 in December 2020 it would be September 2021 for admissions to reception class. For the 2020 year she'd need to find a school with a nursery provision

[ksh]

We have been parents at Goose Green School since 2014 and couldn't be happier. The leadership has changed since the last ofsted report so encourage your sister to go and visit if she is interested. The a head teacher, Simon, is usually happy to show people around if they have missed the official school tours.

[Monkey]

Judith Kerr has just published its first set of results and is doing amazingly well. It?s a bilingual school (English and German). Really kicking myself for not accepting the place they offered me six years ago.

[localdad]

This is a late comment to this thread. Nevertheless, I would like to share our experience. We moved to London last year and spent the previous 12 months in Hong Kong and the US, which means that our daughter had to go through several schools and school systems. The English system would have been the third system within a year. Judith Kerr was very accommodating to find the perfect entry for our daughter. We really like this school! It's never too late to apply for a place - no matter the year group! This is London - there's movement all the time. I know a few people that have moved their children in-year, like we did, and are very satisfied with the school. If you're a parent of a Reception child and missed the open days, I know JKPS holds weekly tours - so again - its never too late. Communication is also very good - the school always keeps parents up-to-date with everything the children do: detailed newsletters and lots of twitter feeds.

Axel

[Willy10]

Hi there, I can recommend Judith Kerr Primary School, Half Moon Lane in Herne Hill. It's a 2 form entry school with a lovely community. They just had an Ofsted Inspection where the Inspector was really impressed about the teaching and learning in particular. My son is now in Y6 and started in Y1 - he managed to get into selective schools for September this year. We were very happy with the school. Apart from a good curriculum they teach a lot of German. I can recommend the school.

[Worcester]

Another recommendation for Judith Kerr, my children are in reception and year 2 and are thriving! It's a very nurturing school, which the class sizes of 25 definitely help with.

Also worth noting that there are a few spaces in other classes throughout the school, in case anyone is looking for a place in years other than reception. Contact the school directly if you are interested: [email protected]