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Tower Hamlets Primary/Nursery schools - any info?

10 replies

jesska · 24/02/2009 10:29

I'm looking into nursery schools and primary schools for db#1. Does anyone have any experience with good state primary schools in TH - specifically, the Bethnal Green area? We currently live abroad, but have a house in Jesus Green (very close to Columbia road) and are trying to decide if we should move back to that house or buy somewhere else with generally better schools (which we can afford, but we DO like the E2 area and it would be a much shorter commute for dh; we otherwise thought maybe Dulwich or East Dulwich?). Because we are not in London now I can't go see any schools personally, so I've got to rely on any word of mouth I can get.

The "good" state schools close to us (with nursery schools), according to Ofsted reports and league tables are:

Columbia road Primary
William Davis School
St Elizabeth Catholic Primary
Hague Primary School
English Martyrs

Dh is Catholic so RC school would be an option.

We could also go private, but I have not registered db anywhere on that score, either.

Any info to help us decide would be greatly appreciated.

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harpomarx · 24/02/2009 19:42

A friend's children go here and seem happy, it always looks like a very happy school. But I don't think they have a nursery and it might be a bit far from you.

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beforesunrise · 24/02/2009 19:45

I used to volunteer to read with children in a RC school in tower hamlets, but I don't think it was the one you mention., it was closer to Canary Wharf. it seemed very nice though!

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christywhisty · 24/02/2009 23:57

My sister used to be a SNA at Columbia Road a few years ago and was very happy working there.
Have you looked at St Annes RC in Tower Hamlets,it was very good at the time but they are in their late teens now, so don't know how much it has changed.

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Arabica · 25/02/2009 00:09

My DH works in the nursery at this school. I'm obviously biased but they do seem very caring. They are 5 minutes walk from Bethnal Green tube and about 7 minutes from Sainsburys.

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jennifersofia · 25/02/2009 01:08

My children go to Columbia. I am a primary teacher in Tower Hamlets. We chose Columbia because 1) We felt that it was more racially mixed (eg. not a monoculture as some schools are in Tower Hamlets) and 2)There is a good emphasis on art, which is important to us. Personally I have been pretty pleased with it, with no major niggles. Children currently in Y1 and Y3. Quality of staff and teaching seems generally good, and children have made good friends. Playground is appallingly small, but they do the best they can with it.
For nursery, they went to Columbia Market nursery, (which is 5 min walk from the primary school) and then transferred in reception, which is a popular thing to do. They do have a nursery in the primary school, but I liked Columbia Market nursery better. It is lovely, with great staff and lots of outdoor creative space.
I spent some time volunteering in William Davis, and found it to be okay, but I didn't feel that attracted to send my children there, even though it is closer to my house!
St. Elizabeth's is farther from Jesus Green, and it seems to be generally regarded as a decent school, though quite Catholic, which is fine if you are into that.
There is a nice community of parents who live around the Green whose children all go to Columbia school.
Do post if you have other questions, I will try and check tomorrow.
HTH

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christywhisty · 25/02/2009 07:59

Oops I missed out a bit of the sentence, my nieces went to St Annes

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jesska · 25/02/2009 13:39

Thanks for these responses, they are very helpful. Jennifersofia - does Columbia primary do anything for sport, if they haven't really any outdoor space? Just curious..I've got rambunctious boys. I've been by the Market Nursery before (it was on my walk to work) and their website looks good. I will try to speak to them.

And good to know about William Davis... They may be an "outstanding" school according to ofsted, but their prospectus and website seem....hmm, just a bit too into themselves and their outstanding-ness, iykwim.

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Jofins · 25/02/2009 16:08

Hello

My son went to the Hague school for 6 weeks and we took him out. The ethnic mix was not mixed enough. He is now at The Lyceum School, which is private. It's a lovely school, small and inclusive, but does not have any outdoor play areas. They make a huge effort to take the children out to Bunhill Fields or the Royal Artillery Ground every day.
I've heard that Columbia Road school is very good. We have friends who's children have attended St Elizabeth's (catholic) school and they are very happy with it.
Unfortunately the state schools are a bit of a lottery, we wanted Bonner school as it is near, but didn't get it, but we are extremely happy now!

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jennifersofia · 26/02/2009 22:21

Re: sport at Columbia - they certainly do PE 2x week in every year group, usually with one session in the hall (gymnastics, etc) and also one session outside. They do make good use of the park that is directly opposite the school which has a basketball court (in fact my eldest was just telling me yesterday about the team basketball they were doing. They also have various afterschool clubs, some of which are sport related (not so clear on this one because one of my girls is relatively young for clubs and the other isn't into football type things). I wouldn't say that sport is their strong point, yet I also would say that they don't shirk it.
When I went to William Davis it was about 5 years ago, so things could have changed since then. The best thing, of course, (though admittedly difficult for you at the moment) is to visit the schools and get a feel for them.

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KiwiKat · 18/12/2009 22:54

Just wondering how you got on with this? I'm looking at schools for ds, and appreciate the advice I've read here so far.

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