To prioritise happiness over education?

[Vanillafox]

My DD didn't get into our first choice primary school. It's an outstanding school, great technology, very sought after. Instead she was offered a place at the school where she goes to nursery. This school is OK. It's too religious for my liking (as an atheist) and has an average academic record, high percentage of SEN. She will be in a classroom shared with 59 other children! It's 5 mins from my door though so convenient. To cut a long story short, DD is super excited about starting there. Her best friend from nursery is going, she knows the teachers and the environment. She's had a trial day that she loved and her teacher did a home visit and seemed great. DD can't wait for Sept.

This morning we got a call from our first choice school offering DD a place. We only have 4 days to make up our minds. It's further away, she'll know no-one and is an unfamiliar environment. But as I mentioned, it's a far better school with far more opportunities.

My DH thinks it's a no-brainier and that her education should take priority. He says she'll get over leaving her friends quickly. I'm not so sure. I think she'll be heartbroken and may struggle to settle at the new school.

What would you do?!!! I'm completely 50/50 and would love to hear your views...

[Prawnofthepatriarchy]

I'm with your DH

[Foxsox]

Go with your daughters heart.
There's your answer

[MrsHathaway]

I agree with your DH that she'll make friends quickly. 4yo children are very capricious and gregarious.

I don't think you should make a decision based on which school DD would like to go to - she's four. You should make the decision based on which school you and DH genuinely think is a better fit for her.

[TheAntiBoop]

I don't think this is a decision between education or happiness. She will be happy wherever she goes. I think you may be projecting how you would react but 4yos can be very different

[Vanillafox]

Two replies - one for each! Must be why I'm stuck at 50/50 😜

[IWillTalkToYouLater]

Is her current school oversubscribed too? What are class sizes like in first choice school?

I'm sure she will settle elsewhere, but that said it sounds like a tough choice. Not helpful, sorry!

[RubySparks]

Could you take her to see the other school?

[DeadGood]

Complete novice here, but I would tend to go with the better school - play the long game.

There are two different things going on here though, the happiness factor and the convenience. Be sure you separate them out fully and know which one you are thinking about when you make your choice. (No judgement.)

[Muskateersmummy]

If the child was older I would agree, but at 4 I think she will adapt. Our dd won't be going to the same school as her best friend. We are making sure they will see each other lots in the holidays and weekends.

Has she visited the other school? I would arrange that visit in the next few days then choose.

[Vanillafox]

theantiboop you're completely right that I'm projecting how I would feel. I'm just dreading that we send her to the better school and she cries everyday because she doesn't want to go and I've caused her to feel like that. Even if it's for the greater good!

[MooMooCowFace]

Not helpful but I would be 50/50 too.

[SisterMoonshine]

We didn't get our first choice school for DD.
Took the place we got, thinking I'd put her on the waiting list for the first choice if things didn't work out for her where she was.
And actually she has thrived in her school.

Tough one.

[TheAntiBoop]

The only reason she would cry everyday is if you make a big deal of it though

Just build up to the new school as you would if you didn't have a choice in the matter

[SenoritaViva]

I work in a school, children adapt really quickly and not knowing anyone / being unfamiliar won't last long. Id go with the best school, it's not education over happiness its happiness AND education.

[LadyCallandraDaviot]

If you are planning to stay in your current house/area, do both the schools feed to the same secondary? - It may seem like ages away, but it can make a difference.

[Raines100]

I wouldn't hesitate to send her to the better school. I'm not saying it's 100% the right decision, but it's the choice I would make.

[whois]

59 other people in the class???? For that alone, I would send her to the other school.

[JackieAndHyde4eva]

I'm with DH. Go for the better school, smaller classes etc. You dont yet know how your daughter will settle and what issues she may face in school that may be far easier spotted and dealt with in a smaller class. Go with good school. Give it a year, if she isnt settling then revisit nearby school and see if they have places.

[Owlytellsmesecrets]

Seriously 59 to a class?????

Listen to DH!!!! She'll make friends in seconds!

[BertrandRussell]

I think you mush have misunderstood something- there can't be 60 children in a class.........!

[Misselthwaite]

I'd be torn. The school with the average academic record must be doing something right if they have a high number of SEN.

Having said that I'm an atheist and the religious stuff would bother me a lot. Also if she goes to the other school you could try and keep her existing friendships going by attending brownies locally etc. That would give her a large social circle and I think it's important for kids to play with lots of different groups of kids.

[SenoritaViva]

Sometimes there can be if rooms are joined but with two sets of staff. Some places work like that - our reception teacher was in something similar before joint our school. Sounds like hell!

[nennyrainbow]

There won't be 59 other children in a classroom since class sizes up to year 2 are limited to 30 max. The year group will be split into 2 classrooms of 30 children each.

[HPandBaconSandwiches]

Education every time. IMHO you'd be mad to send her somewhere that has 59 4 year olds in one class.
Yes she'll be sad, for a very short time, provided you are positive with her about the new school. She's 4, she's far to young to have a say. Your dh is absolutely right - nobrainer.