I'm going round in circles trying to decide between 2 primary schools for dd who is starting in reception this September, it's driving me crazy and I'm driving my family to drink.... please can you help me make up my mind?
I wanted to send dd private but we can't afford it right now, so I've shelved that idea till 7+ or 11+ by which time I might have discovered a miracle get rich quick scheme.
Needless to say our first choice school (only half a mile away) has a catchment area that requires an electron microscope to see it on the map, so dd's 26th on the waiting list and will probably only get in if hell freezes over. We live in North London, in one borough but on the border of another so I applied to both boroughs and each one has offered us a school, currently I have said yes to both but obviously have to make a decision soon.
School 1:
Pros: Good results, near the top of the league table (about 8th I think), dynamic head, lovely setting big playing field and backs onto woods, great teaching staff with very little turnover of staff. 6 of dd's friends from her current nursery will be starting there in Sept (but none of her best friends), pro-health - good school meals and plans to increase PE, 10% of year 6 leavers go to selective secondary schools (although all had extra tuition according to the deputy head)
Cons: Expanding this year from 2 form entry to 3 form entry, lots of building work going on over the next year or two, would have to drive as too far to walk and too difficult to bus, infrastructure of existing school very cruddy, half hearted approach to uniform, had a slightly chaotic air to it, IT facilities so-so
School 2:
Pros: Across the road from my mother's house, walking distance, dynamic head, very good pastoral care, great IT facilities, very calm place, kids really involved in their lessons when we visited, uniform is important, pro-health - good school meals and lots of PE, promotes self-esteem in the kids encourages involvement in lots of activities outside the scope of the curriculum.
Cons: academically not great - this year at the bottom of the league table (I've been assured this is a blip - they are usually somewhere in the middle) slap bang on the North Circular (big major road), no-one goes on to selective schools when they leave (maybe none of the parents wants to fork out for extra tuition), dd knows no-one else going there (not a big problem as she is very sociable and will make friends quickly).
In a nutshell if I had only been offered one or the other I would have been happy but trying to choose between such different places is proving impossible, like trying to decide between chocolate & cheese.... I'm sure dd will do fine whichever she ends up going to, but I really have to make a decision... which would you opt for - help me please ?!?!?!?
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going mad trying to choose between 2 schools... please help me decide (very long - sorry)
37 replies
elibelly · 05/05/2005 19:22
OP posts:
sobernow ·
05/05/2005 19:35
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