Campsbourne School

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Seema Chandwani on January 8, 2012 at 22:11

Angela Ryan the Headteacher is amazing, great afterschool/community based activities including for parents. The school is on the Campsbourne estate which has its Socio-Economic issues, but Ms Ryan is meeting a lot of the challenges

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Harringay on January 8, 2012 at 22:28

Thanks Seema - yes I got the impression that Angela is a driving force for good in the school. Could you give an example of some of the challenges?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Seema Chandwani on January 8, 2012 at 23:06

Before I start... I would like to say that there are challenges across the borough and in most parts of London. Sorry if I sound a bit patronising, Im not sure who you are/what you do..

The council/gov use things like thermo maps to highlight areas of need, if its "red" it means its "high need", for Haringey the map is red/orange in most of Tottenham and Wood Green, however most of Hornsey and Muswell Hill are white/yellow... except Campsboune which is red. The "needs" are things like poverty; crime; anti social behaviour or sometimes all issues (health; educational attainment). Campsbourne is sometimes called the Tottenham estate uprooted and planted in leafy Hornsey

However, the school catchment area is wide so it has a mix of kids from both the estate and private dwellings of the middle classes.

The things Angela has done is she provides things like English and Maths classes for the parents; parenting classes; job search surgeries. She has got an extensive after school programme like the Spurs football coaching to keep the children occupied in positive activities. It is seen as a brilliant school even when compared to schools in areas with a fraction of the issues. When I have been in there it has a nice, warm loved feeling, the kids are happy and have a good relationship with the teachers, the teachers cant do enough for you.. loads of work on the wall

Its a toughish area, so unless you want to take your child to Barnet or somewhere... Campsbourne is a good choice. But, the proof is in the pudding and maybe you should just go meet Angela during a school day and check it out...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Colin Marr on January 13, 2012 at 9:46

I can’t answer in detail, but two of my grandchildren attend Campsbourne and I have experience of other Haringey primary schools. I think Campsbourne has lots going for it and I recommend that you make it your choice. Every time I go there I am impressed – it gives the feel of being a happy school with happy kids and with lots of good work going on. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 05m5b9sadkb6s on January 13, 2012 at 14:03

I've championed Campsbourne to many parents over the years.. it's a very a happy school and the social mix of children and parents can be regarded as a positive, though quite a few middle class parents in leafy Crouch End look down their nose at it. Certainly in my first hand experience there are a lot of decent families who are very loyal to the school - it's not perfect, but few are, and kids who have supportive parents can really thrive there. The ethos is good and the school building is spacious and in general there is a warm feel about the whole place. There are many good teachers there and I have heard Angela Ryan is a very determined and successful head. My kids were there for several years as well as at one of the so-called best schools of the area, as we moved.  

• ▶ Reply