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Anyone with knowledge on High Ash cofe School?

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:04 pm
by Midget Man
Hello. My DD is due to leave her little school to YR3 middle school in September. We also have a DS2 who's Y1 in September. Now, we were going to consider putting her in the local village school of St. Michael's cofe and keep DS1 in his Milton Keynes school until finishing in YR2. The reason being was because it's an outstanding school which we knew very well and wanted him to have that early education that both DS1 and DD have had.

Now onto High Ash cofe, according to Ofsted it's outstanding again across the board and is combined so we are thinking of moving both into this school till they are 11. They also hold alot of extra club's which would be lovely and we would be happy to take DS2 out of current one that is also just as outstanding. I can only go on the Ofsted I have seen and the school's website and wondered if anyone had any information/knowledge/opinion's on this school? I did go to visit today with the children and they liked it, we liked it, just don't want to make that move if this reputation I believe to be true may not be the case :) :?

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 11:03 pm
by Sally-Anne
Hi MM

I haven't got time to look at the OFSTED report, but "Outstanding" verdicts are not given lightly, nor are the bottom rankings (often leading to special measures). It is the "middle rankings" (2 & 3) that are harder to sort out.

I know of several schools (covering very different age ranges) that have been ranked "Outstanding" and I would agree wholeheartedly with OFSTED in each case.

HTH
Sally-Anne

Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 12:08 am
by Midget Man
Thanks Sally-Anne again for your knowledgeable advice, make's me feel more confident :D Think it's already decided but you know what im like with doubting so wondered what other opinions would be :D :lol:

Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 1:45 pm
by wurzel
I had two children go through all the year groups at this lovely school. Everything about it is excellent. It is very well integrated with the local community and parents are made incredibly welcome. I would struggle to find anything negative to say about it.

Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 1:51 pm
by Midget Man
This is exactly how I was feeling about High Ash Wurzel so it's lovely to hear the same from someone who has had children in the school :)

High Ash primary

Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 5:13 pm
by dejavu
Hi MM

I would echo Wurzel's comments completely. Both my DC attended High Ash throughout the whole of their primary education. Although the buildings look a bit outdated, they have had extendsive refurb over the last 3 or 4 years. And you can't fault the setting!

Whilst my DC were there I understood that around 45% of children were out of catchment. Yet it still retained a "village school" atmosphere. It is an integral part of the village - and the only downside (according to the villagers who live near the school) is the inconsiderate parking of some of the parents (who do not park in the village hall car park and walk the short distance up to the school) - but I guess you would get that in lots of villages.

We were lucky - as we could just walk up to the school. Although it did help things when the school altered the morning set-up - instead of having all the children be dropped off at the same time and meet in classes in the playground, the children's arrival is staggered, and you can drop them off within a certain amount of time and they make their own way to their classrooms.

When my DC attended the school - it had lots of clubs. It has a Speech Cup (encourages children in public speaking), a Drama Cup, Sports Cups, Music Cup - and the aim is to encourage its children so that they can enter the secondary system as well-rounded and confident young people. And at assembly - which is run on a rota basis, so you don't have to go every week if you can't manage it - you know in advance when your child's class is presenting the assembly - and it has a very family-orientated atmosphere.

On the other hand - we lived in Stewkley years ago and know some of the mums whose DC went to St M's and couldn't fault that either. The only thing is that St M's is 10-15 minutes nearer to AGS, and if MM does after school clubs at AGS and your other two do after school clubs at High Ash - it might be a bit tight. Feel free to pm - happy to help.

Me thinks that you will be spoilt for choice, and would be in a "Win-Win" situation. Presumably you have been to see both?

Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 6:04 pm
by Midget Man
Is great to have your personal opinion Dejavu. Again today we went along to their yearly football tournament and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it and made friends already, also for me it just re-confirm's my view on the school and we are definitely going to be sending them there, start on 8th June :D St. Michael's is on my doorstep but I wanted what my youngest son already has at his current school or I wouldn't have moved him. I also feel there was more extra curricular and sporting opportunitie's within High Ash than St. M's. If Midget had after school club then he could just wait around reading or something, would only be waiting about 15-20 mins on his own and also sure [art of that time would be taken up with getting himself changed afterward's!

Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 6:58 pm
by dejavu
Great then - decision made!!!! If there are any probs re adjusting - from my own experience, the HT is mega supportive and it it a lovely little community in itself. Good look - might see you walking up to the school from the village car park whilst I'm walking the dogs.