Not getting much help in the local thread - adv regarding school please...

[SAMS73]

We live in cardiff. Thinking of moving DD into a private school year 4.
Cant decide between the two following options

School A - 3 miles from home
easy to travel not much traffic
very academic
Estyn report not as good as A
Parents (have DS studying) happy
CO-ed so there is not much choice
for boys in the area
Music oriented ( DD is musical)
No big lawns, sports faciclities
not good
school fees more than school B
School uniform inexpensive

School B - 7 miles , heavy trafiic need to
30minutes early
good local rep
most of our friends children go
B
good all round care,facilities
Less expensive than A,
but uniform etc., expensive
academically not selective
do scholarships from year 11
we would like to go for it at 11

Ttotaly confused. Parents who send their children to school A have sons so not much option there.Part of me tells that school A is convenient and will use the time commute etc., to actually concentrate on her to do the exams at 11 but again part of me thinks why everyone who has a girl has opted for school B.Anyway DD does piano and cello privately and not planning to change her wonderful music teachers.What would othe MNers do?

[LIZS]

a - she won't have as much time for practice and private mucsic lessons if she goes to b.

[LadyMuck]

What is the driver for sending your dd to a private school in year 4? What is it that you are looking for that your state school isn't offering? Thinking through that might help you work it out?

If music is important to your dd then it may be worth considering what options there are for ensembles or performances.

[SAMS73]

The reason is I personally dont think that she is challenged enough in her current school. She is a bright girl but now has the attitude that things happen without any effort and is actually becoming lazy. I used to do a lot with her at home but as she is getting older it is difficult for me to do what a school should be doing in the first place.I work F/T have very young one at home .Her present school is lovely, well behaved children. Our Jobs could change so we can move to an area of grammar school and there will be a big bridge to build then. The other thing is that I have seen how different the teaching and the standards are between the state and private school.We were intitally against private education but will have to fork out.Hoping that she will get a scholarship at 11 years ( by that time our DD2 will be ready for school).

[LIZS]

If you have a much younger child then you don't want to be spending 2 hours in a car each day - unless your friends are local enough to lift share ? btw what is an Estyn report ?

[SAMS73]

Not completely sure but it is the report all the wales school get and grade the level of teaching etc., I cheched both the school report in their website. The school A - Howells in cardiff and B- St Hohns college cardiff.

[SAMS73]

Sorry it should read St Johns college cardiff

[BonsoirAnna]

School A. 7 miles is a very long way to go to primary school.

[Dottoressa]

You've presumably visited both schools? Gut feeling counts for a lot, esp. if you're paying for it!

[marialuisa]

We have friends with children at both schools, and also friends who use Llandaff Cathedral. They all seem happy enough with their choices overall. As others have said, go with your gut.

[SAMS73]

not visited st johns yet but will try to visit soon

[LIZS]

You can't really make an informed choice until you have visited.

[seeker]

And don't assume that a school will "challenge" her more just because it's private. And don't assume that "challenging" her is necessaarily a good thing.

[SAMS73]

lets say adequtely stimulate her to learn than challenge her is what I meant

[Dottoressa]

LIZS - I would second that!

[SAMS73]

LIZS you have asked in the other thread when does my DD go to yr 4.In september. I am going to visit the second school as well.

[seeker]

My post still applies. Expensive schools are just as capable of being boring and unstimulating as free ones. They just do it is nicer surroundings and twee-er uniforms!

[Dottoressa]

Of course they are capable of that, Seeker. However, this is taking us into the private vs state debate, and that's not what the OP is asking about!

[SAMS73]

exactly. We have decided we are going to go private having been in state system.