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Original poster

House/school...school/house wwyd?

33 replies

bronze · 18/08/2010 21:12

Would you live in a box of a house with a very good school (all 1s on ofsted)
or
a gorgeous house with a good school (all 2s on ofsted)

(ofsted 3- satisfactory 2- good 1- outstandin)

OP posts:
simpson · 18/08/2010 21:15

need more info Smile

In box of house would DCs be sharing a room?? Does it have a garden??

Personally I think I would go for gorgeous house as long as it benefits Dcs too iyswim ie bigger/own bedroom etc..

Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 21:22

4 children

box
2 children with room each plus two sharing (4 bed) one reception

nice
4 bed again but with a playroom so could be 5th bed instead (maybe as teens)

OP posts:
Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 21:24

yes to garden
box, big enough
nice, huge

OP posts:
Hassled · 18/08/2010 21:25

The good school/gorgeous house. Assuming the house is a long-term house - how long will you have DCs in the outstanding school for, anyway?

EldonAve · 18/08/2010 21:26

schools change

I'd have the gorgeous house

simpson · 18/08/2010 21:30

deffo gorgeous house then Smile

Means you won't have to move again, could be your forever home Grin

Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 21:32

yes I wanted this to a longterm house, moving is so stressful, I feel cursed.

OP posts:
simpson · 18/08/2010 21:44

you know which one you want then Grin

Have you got links to both??

DontCallMeBaby · 18/08/2010 21:49

What are the schools REALLY like? The good school may actually suit your children (and you) better, and may have been 'marked down' on stuff you don't really care about. The outstanding school may have very savvy head and governors who know how the work the system.

Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 21:51

Somewhere

Blush

I've probably been exaggerating a bit though. Its more about how the houses make me feel rather than one actually is a box/tiny. (before anyone complains how spoilt I am)
I find the style of new build very boxy but get good vibes from other houses.

I'm just feeling pressure as we will be doubling the value of the house we're in now and I so feel this is a chance to live the dream. I feel that if we are to pay 150 k more than now that I want more than just a slightly better school and an extra bedroom.

will have a look for links

OP posts:
Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 21:54

Not very boxy box

I can see how other people could love it. Its a nice house and all nicely done (ready for my kids to trash)

but it doesn't make my stomach go like this one does (yes I know the t-court is taking the piss a bit Blush)

OP posts:
DontCallMeBaby · 18/08/2010 21:55

Oh, and what level schooling are you looking at? Cos we have the box (although it's quite a good box, really) and the outstanding primary school, but have a nightmare situation with secondaries awaiting us in a few years' time. :(

simpson · 18/08/2010 21:58

both houses are nice Smile

But agree the 2nd one is sooo much nicer Grin

it just seems much lighter iyswim.

Yes secondary schools are to be considered too Smile

Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 22:02

dontcallme

Pils are fronting some of the money and their stipulation is that we have to be in the catchment of all 1s school

my nieces go to the (all1s) outstanding school ( and sil and pil sing its praises.

They say the other isnt very good

but I don't know whether they're just saying that to 'win' their point

Dh was all happy to put forward a good case and then spoke to his mum who he obeys (normally good as shes normally on my side)

I went to a school with all 1s and feel incredibly let down by it. In fact today in a separate conversation my mum said she felt the school didn't do very well by me at all and she was disappointed and sad for me. I think this has made me realise how as long as its a good school it doesn't matter.

A child who wants to do well will do well at any good school but a child can go to the best school and still fail.

I don't think I want to compromise so hugely on the rest of our life (6.5 hours in school the rest mainly at home a day)

OP posts:
Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 22:03

tis secondary we're talking here.
They're all quite happy with a 'good enough' primary

OP posts:
MaureenMLove · 18/08/2010 22:05

Well, it's a long way to fall from the top, so they say.

Personally, I'd rather have my lo at a good school, where she can be part of the rise to Outstanding, than an outstanding school that lets things slip, because Ofsted aren't on their backs watching them....

colapips · 18/08/2010 22:05

What's the neighbour hoods like for both houses, ignoring school? I.e. when children are teenagers, is there easy transport for them, is the route safe to walk to facilities, etc

Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 22:06

Thanks guys

I think I just wanted reassurance its worth carrying on and fighting my corner because dh says I'm being an unreasonable wall.

OP posts:
PinkElephant73 · 18/08/2010 22:07

They are both nice. Agree with DontCallMeBaby its harder to find good secondary schools than primary. Plan ahead as I know people who are in awkward positions now as not in catchment area for a good secondary school.
Personally I wouldn't compromise on education - you can always move to the dream home in an area with shit schools once your kids have left home.

PixieOnaLeaf · 18/08/2010 22:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

DontCallMeBaby · 18/08/2010 22:09

You sound like you WANT the non-box, I don't think you'd be doing yourself any favours being persuaded into the box. If I were you, I'd be going for the non-box ... although if I were me in your shoes, I'd buy the box, as I need a tennis court and an acre like I need a hole in the head, and I am never living in a semi again even if I have to sell half my internal organs to achieve this dream.

kayah · 18/08/2010 22:12

getting a good sec school is much harder and your heart would bleed if your kids can't get one

IMHO primary schools are run under better management and on an average much better than secondary schools in the same area...

I think often is due to sies of secondary schools

what ages are your kids?

Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 22:13

Box, village near a very small town (next place along). Has buses every hour to another town or city)

Nice, good buses to both large town (10 mins) and city 20mins. better service (every 20 mins)

swings/ roundabouts

both villages have primary, store, church, pub etc

OP posts:
ooosabeauta · 18/08/2010 22:16

Can I just throw in that if it's the school I'm thinking of (beginning with A) I went to it! Do you come from round here?

If I'm right, there are two close schools for your dream house, and because they're quite rural they don't have a lot of the problems you might associate with a less good school, maybe a main flaw in those schools is lack of ambition rather than real 'active' problems. Dh teaches in local secondaries and says that 'A' is at its peak because of an excellent head (who taught me when I was there years ago and is great), so can't get any better, whereas the 'D' schools have a lot of potential to keep improving and may make a bit leap with a few changes. Think this might back up your preference Smile

Original poster
bronze · 18/08/2010 22:17

Lol dontcallme

I feel a bit like that about the tennis courts but would love the land as I keep chickens (and quail) and would love to have pigs and maybe goats.

I feel very spoiled
I know I am incredibly lucky and a couple of years back would have read this thread enviously but now I'm in this position I want to make sure we spend this incredible (for us) amount of money well. Not only spoilt with the chance but that I'm worrying about good versus very goos schools

OP posts: