School decision...(reception entry)

[invisibleink]

Would you..

A) Put DC2 in the school he is going to the attached nursery in, class sizes of around 25, teacher and TA, Ofsted rating of 2. Easier for school run as both DCs on the same site but would mean the two DCs share a class room from January 2011 to September 2011 when older DC will then move to Year 1. (DC2 would be part time, DC1 full time.) DC1 doing great at this school, but is ahead (at comparable ages) of DC2 so DC2 could spend his whole school life in the 'shadow' of DC1.

OR

B) Put DC2 in a different school (meaning two different nurseries, him not with DC1 (current), then with DC1 then moved away from him again), class size of 30, teacher and TA, Ofsted rating of 1. Nightmare school run wise with two sites and one being always late as DC2 is everyday at his current nursery (swapping to DC1 site in Jan), but could possibly get DC1 on waiting list but current class is 34 so doubt it would happen until KS2. The advantage being that DC2 wouldnt be in the clever clogs shadow of DC1.

FWIW, in my mind I would go option A. DH wants option B. If I am honest, the biggest thing is the two sites and dragging a toddler (DC3) on a nightmare double-site school run and one of them ALWAYS being late. (no option of CM or friend help). I get that option B is attractive due to the 'shadow' issues ( I lived in the shadow of my sister, and my younger one in ours 5 years later and we both hated it!) but the logistics?? Or am I being mental? I dont mind them going to different schools they are different kids with different needs...but LOGISTICS!!! I cat drop and run as they will only be 4 and 5, far too little! The smaller class sizes are also attractive to me, but DH likes the ofsted rating...

Tell me what you would do??

Who is doing the school run - you or dh? I would say let that person decide. A frazzled start to the day is good for no one's education.

And presumably Ofsted grade 1 is a better grade than 2? Sorry, don't know which is which! But isn't there a danger then of sibling rivalry wrt to who is going to the 'better' school?

I say A).

I do the school run. A DC will be late every day as they are a way apart.

Yes Ofsted 1 is better than 2, thats why DH is liking B). Yes there would be issues re better school etc especially as DC1's friends went to that school and left him at his school!! But again, we couldnt probably get DC1 into that school now until KS2 (if then!! as it is massively oversubscribed although we are in catchment)

I thought we had chosen DC1 school due to the school run issues (and because, tbh, we applied late and had no chance in second round of possible second school) but obviously I was wrong!!

If dh can do one school run and you another EVERY day, then I would give him more of a say.

I don't think he's seeing the full implications of what he's saying.

Thanks. Jiggery I agree! Not sure it has been fully thought through by him! Jiggery I agree! Will put that option to him though. Good thought. Hmmm.

Going out now but will be back to answer any replies later!

The difference between ofsted 1 and 2 can be nothing to do with the standards of teaching. Read the OFSTED reports - poor management by the head, even lack of outside play equipment can both lead to a 2 where it would be a 1. I have been to see an outstanding school and they are very good at inspections and spend a lot of time preparing for them but frankly this is to the detriment of the children.

If your DC1 is happy with the school I'd stick with it. Being together will help the transition and if your DH is so stuck on the grade 1 school you can either get involved and help them pull themselves up to grade 1, or you can transfer after a year if he still feels so strongly and move BOTH of them to the other school.