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Original poster

Which secondary school?

31 replies

Kia79 · 24/09/2023 20:44

Hi. I'm in a major dilemma. DD is in Y6 so we've got to pick a secondary school very soon.

We've got two secondary schools in our town. One is a 5min walk and the other is a 30min walk. The one further way is a much better school (academically and better facilities etc) but DD wants to go to the closer one...because she doesn't want to walk the 1.3miles to get there every day!

I've said she could get a bus for the days that it's chucking it down with rain but otherwise she'll have to walk.

I'm not in a position to drive her or pick her up and nor is her dad.

Should we choose a school based on distance or opportunities and results? Is a 1.3mile walk really that far?

Help!

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DrMarshaFieldstone · 26/09/2023 12:16

Assuming there are no safety concerns on the route I would go for the further school.

EyesOnThePies · 26/09/2023 11:09

Better school, but let her take the bus whenever she wants.

We often used to walk rather than get the bus. Once she is used to it and has friends it will be fine.

RedHelenB · 25/09/2023 12:05

redskytonights · 25/09/2023 07:22

You're assuming there is a bus ...
Although personally I wouldn't even be thinking about a bus for a 1.3 mile journey (DC cycled that distance from Year 3 to their junior school).
And nor would my DC. Do you walk much, OP? Time to start maybe?

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OP said there was a bus. If OP wants her daughter to go to that school and dd wants the other one cos less far to walk then it makes sense to offer to pay for the bus. But I'm of the let your kids choose their own secondary school as they're the ones that have to spend 5 years there. Those where parents pushed them into their preference either ended up changing schools or were unhappy.

Wolvesart · 25/09/2023 08:29

I just checked distances to schools past locally - apparently, mine was 1.5 miles, DC’s was 1.2 miles as is his 6th form, the closest secondary school to us 0.6 miles. I cycled, DC walks everywhere. The closest catchment school sounds pretty similar in terms of size and performance to the one nearest to you. The 2 most popular choices around here are the one our DC went to and another school that’s 1.9 miles away. The further away one is not directly on the bus route, so most cycle. DC’s was on the bus route.

I think your DCs journey would be easily manageable, especially if it’s on the bus route. Re the other school, if it’s one of those never seems to quite get it together schools I would give it a miss.

Bournetilly · 25/09/2023 07:52

Also once she’s there she might make friends with people who walk the same way / live near by which will make the walk better for her.

Bournetilly · 25/09/2023 07:51

1.3 miles isn’t far to walk to school, I used to walk 2.4 miles each way (did have the option of the bus but the bus stop was 1.1 miles from my house so preferred to walk and save the bus money).

I would 100% choose the better school in these circumstances. I think you need to make the choice and the choice shouldn’t be made based on distance when it’s only 1.3 miles.

twistyizzy · 25/09/2023 07:45

@Tribevibes so you would always pick distance over quality of school/education?

TomaytoTomaato · 25/09/2023 07:41

1.3 miles is really not far. Have you walked it with your child?
I used to walk 1.7 miles to school and it took about 30mins.

Boomboom22 · 25/09/2023 07:35

Tbh a 1.3 mile walk is practically next door. Mine does that after a 20 minute train ride. Rural schools are unwalkable often.

Gro · 25/09/2023 07:30

She is too young to be making this decision herself. Why anyone would choose a bad school over a good school is beyond me. Who wouldn't want their child to have the best opportunities?

redskytonights · 25/09/2023 07:22

RedHelenB · 24/09/2023 22:43

Why can't she take the bus every day? That might make her change her mind.

You're assuming there is a bus ...
Although personally I wouldn't even be thinking about a bus for a 1.3 mile journey (DC cycled that distance from Year 3 to their junior school).
And nor would my DC. Do you walk much, OP? Time to start maybe?

WorkingOnMyMindset · 25/09/2023 01:25

1.3 miles is actually a nice healthy bit of exercise for a teen

Ifonlyoneday · 25/09/2023 01:20

I would choose larger further away one. 1.3 miles is not far at all.

ThingsWillWorkOut · 25/09/2023 00:27

Tribevibes · 24/09/2023 21:05

I would always, always pick the closest school.

Why? Dislike for a bit of excercise?

RedHelenB · 24/09/2023 22:43

Why can't she take the bus every day? That might make her change her mind.

IdealisticCynic · 24/09/2023 21:59

Letting a 10 year old choose their school when they don’t have the capacity or reasoning to understand the difference between a better or worse school, let alone the impact on their future, is bonkers. Sorry.

Always choose the better school.

GeorgeSpeaks · 24/09/2023 21:42

Would it be evil to tell your daughter you are going to put the close school first but actually put it second? Kids aren't admissions experts so you'd probably get away with it.

Would you actually get a place at 1.3 miles distance?

Foxesandsquirrels · 24/09/2023 21:35

You'd be silly to let your 10 year old decide this and you know that.

dinghymum · 24/09/2023 21:34

Can your DD cycle? That would make the longer journey much quicker.

slopsan · 24/09/2023 21:30

500 - no sixth form?
Too small for wide range of gcse options
I would go for the larger school

clary · 24/09/2023 21:30

Yeh 500 is a small school. I would be worried about range of GCSE options and also to a lesser degree friendships - even if no 6th form that's only 100 in a year, so 50 girls - not a massive pool.

It's all looking good for the mile-and-a-bit-away one eh? Was it better when you visited - vibe, politeness of students, impression from the HT?

wincarwoo · 24/09/2023 21:26

Tribevibes · 24/09/2023 21:05

I would always, always pick the closest school.

Irrelevant at those distances though as both easily doable. Always choose the better school.

PuttingDownRoots · 24/09/2023 21:08

What are the gcse options like at the smaller school?

Both are walking distance really.

Tribevibes · 24/09/2023 21:05

I would always, always pick the closest school.

Original poster
Kia79 · 24/09/2023 21:03

clary · 24/09/2023 21:01

oh wow those P8 scores are a bit different eh? How small is the one that is a third of the size? Other things being equal (ie if student would get a place at the larger school and could easily get there) I would choose a school around 1000 over one of about 350 [picks slightly random figures].

I know. Worryingly different. They're gcse 5+ scores are pretty bad also. My DD does well in school and I do think she'd do well anywhere but I just don't think she'd be challenged enough in the closer school. The school sizes are 500 vs 1300 so not far off Smile

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