Further down the page I asked the question about Privates and state primaries. Now I am asking a more specific question.
Moving next summer. DD is going to have to start a new school entering Year1. She's currently in a small state primary - 42 children in Reception, 21 in DD's class. She's settled in wonderfully. The class sizes are small because there are falling roles in this county and because it's not in the greatest catchment area - it draws from a mixed catchment and some people are too snobby to use this school.
Lots of the state primaries in the area where we'll move to are oversubscribed and if they have places it is because they are huge. We have the chance of putting her in a private school with subsidised fees. If it were my second child, I would happily use any of the primaries but DD is a special case. She's an anxious little thing who has given up on swimming and ballet this year because she wasn't comfortable and able to perform. She won't participate in Music and Movement at school. But she makes friends easily enough and enjoys school (for the time being)
I can't afford to get it wrong. I can't move her again before age 11. She'll be anxious enough about this move. I have 4 'choices' it seems.
1.Private school with small classes.
2.Popular, impressive large state school with three form entry and 30 in each class on the doorstep of where we are likely to live.
- Very small village schools on the outskirts which aren't full but will require a drive (like the private school)
- Consider one of the small church schools near to where we will be living - we're not C of E but the schools are small and caring and perhaps a Reception child will leave this year and a place will become available
I would love to hear from people who have quieter, anxious children and how they have thrived or not at their particular type of school.
Many thanks to you.