Nearest school or best school

[Mamamamamamamam]

We’ve got a place at School A but we’re 1st on waiting list for School B. Should I leave the waiting list and be happy with School A?

School A:

• pleasant 10 minute walk away
  
• nearly everyone we know is going there
  
• on same site as her preschool
  
• good reputation
  

School B:

• half hour walk or 5 minute drive away (with a toddler in tow)
  
• only 25 in a class
  
• parents are really involved and help loads at the school (while school A struggle to get people on PTA etc)
  
• new buildings and great outdoor space
  
• inspiring curriculum with lots of outdoor learning
  
• great reputation.

[RainbowFairiesHaveNoPlot]

We went for local school... it was crap. Moved to the equivalent of School B and it was definitely one of my finer parenting decisions ever made - but it's just a better fit for my child.

[RedSkyAtNight]

Why do you think School B is better? (struggling to get parents involved at School A does not mean parents are not engaged with their DC's education).

If School B is a state school, then I would worry about how it survives on 25 in a class.

For me if you have a great alternative close by (though tbh 30 minutes walk still counts as close) there are many intangible benefits.

[Mamamamamamamam]

School B is a state school - a Free School that opened a few years ago. I don’t know how they can afford it either. I think they may increase the class size in a few years.

[oldbirdy]

Well school B has spaces, surely, since Max class size is 30 in infants?
That would piss me off for starters....

[Mamamamamamamam]

The 25 in a class is one of the main things I like about it - that the kids get that little bit extra attention. But I now realise that’s a little ironic given that’s why she hasn’t got in! Also local parents rave about how much they love it. And I was more impressed with it when I looked round.

[TeenTimesTwo]

You'll end up driving to B.

We had a 10min walk to primary. I really miss it. We never drove, so went out in all weathers and really saw the seasons change. No parking stress. No bundling toddlers in and out of car seats. Could practice times tables en route if we wanted to.

There's a lot to be said for local school, especially in primary. Quality of life, local friends, good reputation - sounds lovely.

[BikeRunSki]

Never underestimate the value of a short walk to school, or the value of having friends there.

Especially if the school is perfectly OK!!!

[admission]

The other thing you might want to consider is how the school can maintain 25 to the class. Unless the rooms are just not capable of taking any more, that 25 is going to be probably eroded away to 30 in the class over time.
25 is also very marginal in terms of generating enough funds for the school to run without being in deficit. They may be forced to go to 30 in the class whether you or they like it or not.

[BakedBeans47]

School A. I don’t think I’d even be considering School B with a decent school so close to home. You and the people you know can get the PTA up and running if that’s a factor :)

[PrettyLovely]

School A it will be an easier step up for her if she goes to the pre-school there, And will have people there she is familiar with.
Also you are very lucky these days if you manage to walk to school thats a big plus.

[Starlight2345]

I always say think year 6 not reception . I applied for local school class of 24 year before my Ds . 30 for my Ds and now in year 6 34.

If school is full anyone new to area will go to school B so you could end up with the same class size.

I think the most important thing is how they learn, does it feel right for your child

[KirstenRaymonde]

Having been a TA in an infant school I can tell you the difference between 25 and 30 in a class will really be a negligible difference when it comes to teaching, I wouldn’t factor that too much into your decision. Being close to the school will make a difference.

[hhks]

I can imagine most mums on MN would ask you to take local schools. But i think 30min walk/ 5 min drive is very manageable. If school B is significantly better than school A, I would love to make the extra effort.
I don't know how the system work, will you be able to get B? if you wait for B, will you lose your place in A?

[Mamamamamamamam]

We have accepted A but we’re on the waiting list for B. So if a place at B comes up, we will be given it and will automatically lose our place at A at that point.

[Mamamamamamamam]

I am fairly new to Mumsnet and i just want to say it’s so lovely that all of you have taken the trouble to advise me, and many of you have made some really helpful points. Thank you!

[JellyBellies]

It will not happen automatically. You will be offered the place, when it comes up. It will be your choice whether you accept or reject it.

[AornisHades]

My worry with a free school would be that it has extra funding to start up but it's very dependent on the political will to allow them to stay well funded and what happens if it were to close. I'd take school A.

[Mamamamamamamam]

Are you sure? I was pretty much quoting the email from the admissions team... but if you’re right I might as well stay on the waiting list and just make a decision if it arises.

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

We had a very similar choice and went for school B - we’re this year’s intake so time will tell whether it was the right decision!

Basically I felt like we would be sacrificing the DCs education for the sake of convenience and that just didn’t feel right.

[Mamamamamamamam]

The above was to JellyBellies

[TeenTimesTwo]

Jelly It will not happen automatically

Not necessarily. There is at least one LA I think that takes the place away automatically (from reading threads here).

[Kettlepotblack]

I agree with a pp who said never underestimate the value of a short walk.

The practical element, as well as feeling part of a local community, which for a primary can be a reasonably small area, is priceless.

[sirfredfredgeorge]

If school is full anyone new to area will go to school B

This can't be true, since school B must be full,or they wouldn't be on a waiting list for it.

I'd also question why the limit is 25, is the classroom tiny? Is the whole school tiny? There must be some reason? Getting less money per class than other schools must also mean something is lost.

Personally though, it would need to be a significantly bad school to walk past it to go to another, and terrible to drive past it!

[Mamamamamamamam]

The founders of the school decided it would be good to have a limit of 25 so they put that in the school’s governing documents. They may change it but I was told there would have to be a consultation first so it would take 2 or 3 years.

[cheminotte]

I agree with Bike RunSki - being part of the local community is priceless. Walking to school, neighbours who can take dc1 for you when you / dc2 are ill, going home with dc2 while dc1 go to an after school club, sharing pick up with other parents for clubs / school disco, dc walking with their mates in Y5, Y6.