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Choosing schools?

11 replies

educator123 · 02/12/2012 12:49

If a school locally (10min drive) had several recognitions for a achievement, excellent ofsted report, 100% of pupil progressing at leave two key stages between ks1&2 in English and maths.
Smallish one form entry. 30per class.
In the top 11% of primaries in the country.

Would you choose is over a small very local school within walking distance. Good ofsted. No publication of SATs due to low numbers on the role.
But as far as I'm aware I think they all do well.
Would be in the local community.
3 mixed classes.

Might sound a bit of a silly question, as the first on paper sounds amazing but I'm aware it isn't everything..so one minute I think utilise it the next utilise the one on the doorstep.

OP posts:
LoopsInHoops · 02/12/2012 14:16

Personally I'd go for the smaller, local school as long as I and my DCs like it. Community is so very important, and OFSTED means bugger all (am a teacher).

educator123 · 02/12/2012 14:42

It's difficult, isn't it? As from a apparently point of view you only have Ofsted, league tables and a quick viewing of the school to go by so it's hard not to take all of those into account.

The first school I talked about obviously gets very good results as there was a high percentage achieving level 5.
And like I say they have everything on offer every extra curricular, lots of outdoor spaces, loads of TAs, dyslexia specialists. So why am I not jumping at the chance...maybe it's just the drive putting me off!?

loops what is your opinion on mixed age group classes?

OP posts:
educator123 · 02/12/2012 14:48

*from a parental

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LoopsInHoops · 02/12/2012 14:52

I'm a secondary teacher so my experience is different, but have taught in primaries doing outreach, some mixed age.

I personally think that it can be a really positive thing, especially if your child is bright (and younger in the class) or struggles (and it older), because they will be catered for better. To differentiate for a mixed age class means teachers will be prepared and hopefully supported, whereas only too many teachers lack differentiation skills and assume the kids are all the same.

educator123 · 02/12/2012 15:04

That's pretty much what they say at the school, the more able can move forward, the less able can recap.

But I have also heard some people say that low and high achievers can struggle in mixed classes as can go unnoticed.

Tough choice!

Need a try before you buy :)

OP posts:
LoopsInHoops · 02/12/2012 15:25

And the teachers will get to know them very well.

You can always change if you don't like it.

educator123 · 02/12/2012 17:28

They are currently at the smaller school. I started to have a look around as my daughter is quite into extra curricular things.
As I started looking I discovered various other things. Now I have to decide whether any of them warrant moving the children.

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lljkk · 03/12/2012 07:57

I would be loathe to move happy & settled children for a school that looked better on paper. My parents did that to me & it was a disaster (for me).

I would have to visit the schools & assess what they felt like compared to my child.

We have had similar choices for DD's secondary school. She chose the higher results travel-away school. If she doesn't get in I certainly won't appeal because there are lots of drawbacks to it, especially higher travel costs.

tiggytape · 03/12/2012 08:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

educator123 · 03/12/2012 09:24

It's a rural area with most catchment areas being surrounding villages.

There are several reasons for looking initially it was for more extra curricular. But also for a bigger friendship pool and the possibility of one form classes being better than a mixed class.
I originally looked into the other school because of the sport as my daughter loves it at the time I didn't realise how successful they were in all the ether areas too.

It's tough as they are settled where they are and it is on the doorstep, but I do have some concerns. Atm I would say where they are is a 50/50 split between pupil attending from the village and pupil attending from surrounding villages.

OP posts:
lljkk · 03/12/2012 11:32

Sorry if I haven't read carefully enough:
Does your child have dyslexia concerns?

What else do you not like about current school that you think other school could redress?

One form entry -> mixed classes: could well change; our school likes to mix up yr4 & yr5 so that we have between 1 & 3 mixed yr4-5 classes. Besides, mixed yr classes not a problem ime, anyway.

I do get the sport concern, I have this with DD. How old is your sporty child, and what sports that are done in schools does she have a flair for?

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