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Original poster

Should a 10 year old be allowed to choose?

29 replies

dalek · 01/03/2011 12:07

My dd has a place at a selective independent school for year 7. She is already at the Junior School. She is quite happy there.

However she would prefer to go to one of the state schools in our area - due to catchment it is very unlikely we will get it. If by some miracle we do get the school of her choice do you think she should be allowed to make the decision?

She is only 10. I have tried to establish what it is she likes about this particular school but she says she just likes it better.

We as her parents should make the decision shouldn't we?

I have to go out now but will be back later to look at replies. Please let me know what you think.

TIA

Dalek

OP posts:
BlackType · 01/03/2011 12:22

Agree with ChippingIn.

bigTillyMint · 01/03/2011 12:16

Surely she has a reason for preferring the state school.

Or maybe she isn't as happy at the current school as you think she is?

I would want to delve alot deeper with her to find out what she is really thinking, and why.

I think it should be a joint decision - if necesary with a lot of talking to reach an agreement.

ChippingInMistressSteamMop · 01/03/2011 12:11

Dalek - my feeling is that yes, as parents, you should make the decision. However, I would listen to what she would like, but I would explain that I will be deciding based on what each of the school offers and that if she wants to have some input into the decision that's fine, but 'I like it better' does not cut the mustard.

Sometimes you have to go completely against what they want if you know it's not the best one.

Life's tough.

ilovemyhens · 01/03/2011 12:10

No, parents should make the decision.

I went along with my ds1's choice of secondary school and sent him there because it seemed reasonable and all his friends were going there.

I pulled him out after only a month of attendance and sent him to a school six miles away.

He's like a different child now and is thriving and enjoying his learning tremendously - something which wasn't acceptable at the other school Hmm