Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Education

'you're a teacher - so why is he going to THAT school?'

12 replies

popsycal · 25/05/2006 19:47

Ds1 will be 4 in August and will start first school in September. Our system is three tier so first school goes up to year 4. His first school is not in the catchment where we live but is next to my work and childminder picks up and drops off there. It is also one of the feeder schools for the school where i work (but it mainly feeds into another middle school iyswim).

In the opinion of the staff where I teach (some of them anyway), this first school is one of the weaker acadmeically of our feeders and I tend to agree. But his friends are going there. It is a smaller school with much less focus on attainment. It is friendly and the children are happy. It is a much more varied mix than most of the first school in that area (which tends to be full of more 'well off' families - sorry don't know how best to describe it!)

I will get to the point.
Several colleagues of mine (and one family member) are aghast that,having inside knowledge, I would send him to this school.

I just want him to be happy. I have not looked at the school's OFSTED report. I have not looked at their SATS results (apart from in my position in my job of analysing indvidual's attainment on entry to our school).

But I have met most of the head teachers of the neighbouring first schools.

I am waffling.
remind me that even as a teacher, I am entitled to send my child to a school where he will be happy rather than one in which he can be 'stretched'.

OP posts:

Report

tamum · 25/05/2006 19:49

Oh god yes, it sounds lovely. It's not as if you will be incapable of giving him a bit of extra help with his reading or whatnot, if push comes to shove, is it?

Report

cece · 25/05/2006 19:50

I agree with you - the most important thing is that he is happy. Happy children achieve plus if it is unpopular then the class sizes will be smaller??

Report

drosophila · 25/05/2006 19:51

Well I think it is refreshing! Who is to say your son won't do brilliantly academically -happy child works better.

Report

apronstrings · 25/05/2006 19:53

Trust your instincts - sounds like you have good and clear reasons for youe decision

Report

popsycal · 25/05/2006 19:53

yes
class sizes of 25 with an almost full time teaching assistant
i have taught two of the teachers' children

When I see others scouring OFSTED and SATs results, visiting all the schools, I just wonder if I am neglecting the reality of life in that he will be the youngest in the year group and could do with all the help he can get...

OP posts:

Report

popsycal · 25/05/2006 19:54

and have just spotted an incorrect apostrophe in my first post

oh the shame
:)

OP posts:

Report

apronstrings · 25/05/2006 19:55

And you a teacher!

Report

bubbles4 · 25/05/2006 19:55

you are entitled to send your child to whateverschool you are happy with but i would read the most recent ofsted report to check that there are no major failings. i changed schools for ds1 and ds2 at 7 and 5 because i had become unhappy with the school under a new headteacher and they soon made new friends and settled in well. so that is always an option if things go pear shape.

Report

popsycal · 25/05/2006 19:56

I know roughly what the ofsetd said through the grapevine
Nothing serious

OP posts:

Report

threebob · 25/05/2006 19:58

I am a music teacher and parents are asking me which schools ds (3) is down for. They seem surprised that I am sending him to the local school without putting his name down for out of zone enrolment for all the "good schools".

The local school is fine, and some of the pupils that go to the "good schools" - well lets just say that I know pupils who go to the local schools and are happier and more supported by parents.

Report

SenoraPostrophe · 25/05/2006 20:01

popsy you are dead right to send him there!

I hate all this sats stuff so young. first schools should be about developing the joy of learning, not about making sure they pass the damn tests. I know when we come back to the uk, I will see being really high in the league tables as a negative point.

Report

popsycal · 25/05/2006 20:04

I know I am right deep down - and thanks for all your lovely, supportive messages. I just want him to be polite, kind and happy and to keep out of (too much) mischief.

And maybe do a little bit of learning too. He is as bright as a button for his age, but will be the youngest in the class so as long as he copes and doesn't totally switch off, then that is fine by me.

I hope that he can be quiet for longer than 30 seconds at a time :)