Does anyone have any first hand experience of these primary schools? Trying to decide which one to put top of our list for next year, does anyone have any info?

Thanks

Fairlawn: fab, fab, fab!

They are both great options, Fairlawn being outstanding and Horniman being good, according to Ofsted. The reports are worth a read. My daughter has just started at Horniman and loves it. Demand is high so you may not have very much choice realistically unless they are the same distance from your home address.[/u]

As said, both very good schools. Unless you live VERY close to Fairlawn you dont stand much chance.

Lewisham admissions booklet says 405m for Fairlawn was last offered place and 599m for Horniman pre-bulge. That's not really that bad in my opinion considering both schools have very good reputations. Seems all the schools in the area have relatively small catchments - Stilllness 461m and Dalmain 430m.

thanks so much for all of your replies, great to know that they are both good options. hopefully we are close enough! if anyone else has any other info on either school, it would be good to hear too.

I think it depends on what you want from a school and would suggest that you attend any open days possible as well as school events to chat to other parents. Both are academically very good, Horniman has a reputation for being a little more into art/culture etc, whilst Fairlawn is larger with all the advantages and disadvantages that that brings. Horniman has a great building and a fantastic location with lots of green space, Fairlawn (IMO) is less so clearly and is on a main road but makes the most of the space it has. My child goes to Fairlawn and I am not a fan of the building I have to say but your childs will be experiencing the school, not the parents, so may not give a hoot about fantastic views across London.

Neither have any real uniform policy which is something I don't like as I am keen on uniform for kids. Horniman is smaller than Fairlawn with a fairly community feel but both have good parental involvement and have good community relationships. I have heard of people who have moved their kids from both for various reasons. Horniman is one form entry usually whilst Fairlawn s 2 FE- some people might think thats better for lesson planning etc but not all. Both have very different 'feels'.

Horniman tends to get snowbound in extreme weather conditions. For us it was another hill to climb which I didn;t relish!

Personally if you go for one and get offered the other, you are still onto a good thing and I wouldn't get stressed about it either way!

Have a look at the Ofsted website and based on the available information make an initial judgement, then arrange a visit and speak with the Head, teachers and parents, draw your conclusions from what you see, read and hear.

There is a fantastic view of St Paul's Cathedral from Fairlawn.

I have very good first hand experience of Horniman.
- Child in year 3 loves it
- Second just started in reception and very settled already

You will need to be quite inclusive of the schools on your list, unless you live in a rare location where 'preference' is really possible, your child's place will be determined by distance and how many people nearer than you + siblings apply.

So do look at ALL of the schools near you and be realistic about getting your nearest.

However, if you prefer a school, list it at the top. Just make sure the nearest ones are on the list somewhere....