Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
North Harringay primary school - recommendations/advice
I would like to know if anyone has their kid in reception at north Harringay and if you would recommend it.
My son will be going to school in September and I'm stressing a bit about making the wrong decision about which school he will go to (providing we can get in any of the ones on our list!)
NH looks good on paper but any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Emilie on
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Oh and same for Woodberry Primary school too, it's very close from us but I can't work out if I like it or not. It also has a picture of Michael Gove on the homepage of their website which i frankly find off-putting...
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Hi Emilie, both my children have been to NHP (my eldest now at secondary, youngest leaves this coming september) we've been really happy with how our children have done. The school is really friendly and very supportive. As with everything in life you get more out, and its easier to join the school community, if you get involved. In our time, the school has risen up the ofsted rankings from a pretty low base after the govenors appointed a great management team.
The school has set up a management 'trust' with Chestnuts primary - as I understand it, to keep Gove's horrible fingers off good community schools, pool resources and generally co-operate. Hope this helps and good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Michelle on
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Hi Emilie
I am a parent governor at NHP so happy to give you any information you need to help give comfort that NHP is a great school!
DM me your details if you want to chat.
Regards
Michelle
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I just rang to arrange a visit, I was told that the head teacher has just left and they have appointed an acting head until July. Can you tell me why the head left mid year?
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Hi Bethany
This is correct, Helen Connor left NHP at the end of December after 6 years of turning the school around to what is now a fantastic school achieving an Ofsted grading of Good with some outstanding features. She has left the school to do a similar turn around job in a school in Camden. Barbara Breed is an interim head who knows the school intimately and worked with Helen during the 6 years as the Haringey School Improvement Partner and was previously head at Rokesly Junior School.
The school have very strong governing body, senior leadership team and middle managers which provides reassurance that the strength is within the sum of the parts rather than just one person.
I am happy to extend the offer I made to Emilie if you want to DM me your details but I would recommend you follow through with your visit and see things for yourself first.
Regards
Michelle
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Thanks for that, although it's a bit odd that she left mid year...The receptionist was a bit cagey and told me it was confidential. So it set alarm bells ringing for me, I know how much a change in leadership can affect a school.
I'll DM you.
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Hi Bethany
I can assure you there is nothing confidential about Helen's departure and I am not sure why the receptionist would have been cagey unless she didnt feel it was her place to discuss it. It is not unusual for HT or DHTs to leave mid year for the right opportunity for them. A change in leadership can only dramatically affect a school when it is solely reliant on that leader.
I would really encourage you to do your tour around the school and you will see for yourself the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of ALL the staff, managers and leaders within the school. They are all striving towards the same vision and ethos - improve children's life chances in an inclusive environment through commitment to high standards and expectations.
regards
Michelle
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hahaha ditto
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Hi Bethany, Its not as unusual as you might think (heads leaving mid year). Mr Atherton at 'Park View' was head hunted by another school after he'd turned the school around and acheived 'good with outstanding management (at all levels)' and also left at christmas.
In both cases the heads had raised standards, achieved good with outstanding status and would not have been ofsteaded again for 3-5 years.
Why would they not look at other oppertunites that come along? however inconvenient for the govenors at their schools. It is, after all, their career progression. Would you not jump ship having done a great job if made a good enough offer by another employer?
The issue is for the govenors to find the right person to replace them and move things forward. Not to panic and fill the vacancy just to please the parents.
It sounds a bit brutal, I know but 'S**t happens it's how you deal with it that counts'
It sounds to me like the receptionist was trying to do three things at once (it does happen in a busy school) rather than being cagey. she proberbly had a parent infront of her asking for something and some of the children bringing down registers.
Still a good school though!
Andy
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Thanks Andy and Michelle, very useful. It's good to hear some positive feedback. Michelle I've added you as a connection.
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Hi Emilie,
My little boy started there in Sept and absolutely loves it. The staff are great, and they did an amazing job at settling all the the children (it seemed). The outside space is brilliant, and my little one is so engaged by the teachers, and has learnt so much in his first term. Has definitely been a very positive introduction to school for him which is what really matters at reception. He is really looking forward to going back tomorrow.
Good luck with the application. It is a bit stressful. It will definitely be worth going with your closest first as the two on the ladder both tend to be so oversubscribed the catchment area is pretty small.
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Permalink Reply by Kate on
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My son is in year 1 at NHP. I have nothing to compare it to but the kids all seem happy and my son has made good progress. The reception classrooms/outside space are fantastic - so much so that year 1has been a bit of a shock to the system. There is a breakfast and after school service, plus a nice range of extra curricular clubs. The Head has just left and the Deputy Head left at the end of last term, which does worry me slightly.
If you live close to Manor House you are unlikely to get a place at NHP. Catchment last year was 0.4 I think?
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