Wandsworth Schools Admission Distances 2014

Our discussion boards go into overdrive every year in the days leading up to and immediately following the announcement of primary school offers.

It is something every parent worries about.

So we asked Wandsworth Council to let us know what the catchment areas of the borough’s schools actually are at present.

Here’s the info they gave us.  Distances are given as at the primary school offer date and may change by the start of term as offers are accepted and refused and the waiting lists move.

School	Furthest Distance offered under proximity criterion (distances are in straight line metres)
Alderbrook	1113
Allfarthing	255
Beatrix Potter	all applicants within the priority areas + children outside of them areas with sibling priority up to a distance of 334m.
Belleville	238
Brandlehow	520
Broadwater	561
Chesterton	402
Earlsfield	306
Fircroft	1212
Franciscan	all applicants with sibling priority or within the priority area + children outside priority area up to a distance of 1269m.
Furzedown	all applicants with sibling priority or within the priority area + children outside priority area up to a distance of 405m.
Honeywell Infant	182
Hotham	Bilingual class – all applicants with sibling priority+ children living up to 566 m.  Open places – all applicants with sibling priority + children living up to 875 m.
John Burns	435
Penwortham	all applicants within priority area + children outside of it with sibling priority up to a distance of 474m.
Ravenstone	1276
Riversdale	742
Ronald Ross	1274
Rutherford House	877
Sellincourt	all applicants with sibling priority or within the priority area + children outside of it up to a distance of 406m.
Shaftesbury Park	Bilingual class – all applicants with sibling priority + children living up to 1092 m.  Openplaces – all applicants with sibling priority + children living up to 1468m.
Sheringdale	435
Swaffield	795
The Alton	1231
Tooting	543
Wix	Bilingual class – Applicants with sibling priority up to 995 metres.  Open places – all applicants with sibling priority + children living up to 515m.
Undersubscribed Schools where all applicants were offered a place
Albermarle         Eardley       Falconbrook       Granard       Griffin       Heathmere       High View       Hillbrook         Mosaic       Smallwood       Southmead       St Anne’s     St Mary’s Catholic Battersea           West Hill       Westbridge

The borough’s faith schools are not included as they don’t operate on a distance basis.

What’s clear is that the real squeeze on places is confined to a few distinct areas.

There weren’t enough places in Earlsfield at all leaving some children without an offer of a place at all, and others with the prospect of having to travel to the Mosaic school which is currently sited on the Putney/Roehampton borders.  The Council has now addressed this by adding an extra class to the intake at Smallwood school, Tooting this year (nearer but still not actually in Earlsfield).  Next year a new free school will open on the old Atheldene site in central Earlsfield which should ease the pressure.

The other hot spot is the ‘Between the Commons’ area around Northcote Road.  Honeywell’s catchment area is down to a tiny 182m and Belleville’s isn’t much bigger.  By our calculations that means that unless you live in either of the two green circles shown on the map below – you are going to have to look elsewhere.

If you live on Chatham Road though, you are totally sorted!

Most of the area south of Broomwood Road, does fall within the catchment of Alderbrook and High View on Lavender Hill (just up from Clapham Junction) was undersubscribed so you will get a place there.  Little consolation if you live on the same road as one of the best primaries in the borough but can’t get in.

The best days out in Wandsworth

Zoos, play centres and a huge outdoor pool – we pick the best places for family fun in Wandsworth

1. Battersea Children’s Zoo

Battersea Children’s Zoo is a big hit with lots of local Mumsnetters. There’s a good range of animals: from monkeys, meerkats and snakes to sheep, donkeys and bunnies with the added bonus of great children’s play areas. With a great sandpit and water play area, decommissioned fire engine for little ones to sit in and playground areas for all ages, there really is something for everyone.

2. Tooting Bec Lido

For a great day out when the weather’s good head to Tooting Bec Lido. It’s the largest fresh water, open air swimming pool in England and has been voted ‘best outdoor pool’ for two years running. The art deco pool is 91.5 metres and has a children’s paddling pool, sauna and large enclosed grass area for sunbathing, picnicking and playing.  It has great facilities for families, including a café, modern changing rooms and lockers.

3. Battersea Park

There’s so muchvariety in Battersea Park that it can easily provide a full day out for families on a warm day. If you take your own picnic (lots of lovely places to sit), it doesn’t need to cost you a penny, except for parking. There are several formal gardens, a good size children’s playground, a fantastic adventure playground, fountains, lake, wild gardens and even a beautiful peace pagoda to admire by the river. If      you are feeling active, you can take a rowing boat or pedalo out on the lake or hire a bicycle from London Recumbents who are based in the park and have a wide range of bikes for families.

4. The Pump House Gallery

If you are looking for a different way to spend a day, pop down to The Pump House Gallery. This contemporary art space in the middle of beautiful Battersea Park holds regular and exciting family days throughout the year with hands on activities and lots of ways to get involved.

6. The Pottery Café

For a creative family day out why not take your little ones to decorate their own pottery! At The Pottery Café budding artists can choose a piece of pottery and then decorate it by hand or using hand cut sponges. And for very little ones you can also capture their tootsies with baby feet painting.

7. Northcote Road

This busy shopping street in the heart of ‘Nappy Valley’ is well worth a visit. There are plenty of shops aimed at families including several toy shops, a raft of children’s clothes and shoe shops, maternity wear boutiques, buggy shops, children’s furniture shops and even a charity shop that only stocks used children’s wear and toys. Pretty market barrows line the street selling everything from delicious hand made puddings to vintage clothing. There’s no need to rush as there are plenty of family friendly cafes and restaurants to choose from as well.

8. Putney Heath

Take time out from the urban sprawl and head for Putney Heath’s 400 acres of woodland, scrubland, heathland, and park land. The Heath runs into Wimbledon Common and together they make up over 1,000 acres of countryside.. There are 9 ponds and a whole host of wildlife to spot including birds, frogs, deer, foxes, bats, rabbits, squirrels and more, There’s also a nature trail and windmill, or why not try a womble hunt? There are some nice country style pubs for family lunches too.  Our personal favourite is the Telegraph.

9. Wandsworth Museum

For a cultured day out pop down to Wandsworth Museum. They host lots of great events and activities for families. Let your little ones get creative and there’s free entry for children under 6 years old. There’s also a lovely café on site, complete with under 5s play area.