School dilemma - what would you do?

[Sl33py]

I have a school dilemma and asking for advice.

I have 3DD aged 4,6,9

I moved house last year and only 2 children got into my local school (SchA) - 15 min walk. I appealed and lost.
My other DD got given SchB - 40 min walk.

SchA had just opened and DD1 was in a mixed year with only 2 children her age. Few nasty boys did things to upset her and she struggled to settle in. Cried every day. Other DD was fine there.

I couldn’t be in two places at once so after homeschooling DD3 for a few weeks I decided to send all children to SchB.

They are all happy at SchB and not had any problems. It is also next door to the secondary school that they will all be going to. I have to drive, sit in traffic and it’s difficult to park.

SchA is gradually growing and from sept can take all children in their own year class. No mix classes. 30 children of their own age. I can walk to this school and will do each day.

Should I move them? If given the choice they wouldn’t want to move schools

Could you move closer to School B - especially as you’d also be moving closer to the secondary?

I wouldn’t want to disrupt my children’s schooling again - you had two of them at initial “before you moved” school X, then A, then B, then you want to go back to A..... I’d put up with the traffic or better yet, do the 40 minute walk. Cycle it perhaps?

Given that they will be going to the secondary school nearby- I wouldn’t move them back. I would put up with the inconvenience if they are happy there. Also more likely to know people when they move into year 7. As a PP said - could you look at moving closer to the school?

Oh blimey - just saw it’s only a 40
Min walk. Deffo stay at school B

I thought it was 40 min drive!

My 4 year old won’t walk 40 minutes and due to covid they won’t let us cycle and leave bikes.

Just to add, they only went to SchA for 9 days.

Thanks for the replies, it’s really interesting hearing other peoples views.

I’m scared I’ll move them and they will hate it.

I’ve just moved house, I can’t move again. It’s too expensive

What year is 9 yo? Are you happy her getting herself to secondary school? If you move back to a, she'll have to.
I'd leave them where they're happy and make life easier longer term with secondary school run

That keeps playing on my mind. I haven’t got any at secondary yet so it’s not something I’ve thought about. I need mums with older kids to give advice x

So do you drive them to school? How long does a 40 minute walk take in the car - 5 minutes? I don’t see the issue.
Your 9 year old will be going to the secondary in a couple of years anyway so any gains will be short lived. I’d keep them at their current school if they are happy there.

Of she's year 4 she'll be in yr5 in a few months and then you will be thinking of secondary schools shortly after. You need to make a decision that doesn't just fit now (move them so it's quicker) but also long term (eldest in secondary)

No way would I move them

She’s in year 4. I’ve also got a baby, so if I drive it can take 20-30 mins. Stuck in traffic and then nearest I can park is 15 min walk from school.
I have been walking and taking a double buggy.

No, don’t move them.

If parking is shit you can drive and park a little further away, walk the last little bit until you 4 year old is older or gets more used to it?

It does sound like school b is better long term.

X post

Wow thank you all for your thoughts. Really helpful x

It’s taking you up to half an hour to drive 1 mile? Could you get the 4 year old a folding scooter you could put in a rucksack to take home?

I’m sure bikes will be allowed again at some point so it might only be a short term pita.

There will probably be days when they want/need a lift unless on a good bus route to the secondary. We were lucky with primary and secondary near each other. Could you park slightly further away and walk? Leaving early is the best way to approach a secondary school. Maybe spend 15 min in the car doing times tables and reading if you get there really early.

@Sl33py

She’s in year 4. I’ve also got a baby, so if I drive it can take 20-30 mins. Stuck in traffic and then nearest I can park is 15 min walk from school. I have been walking and taking a double buggy.

Ah, fair enough. So walking for 40 minutes is slightly quicker than the driving/parking/walking option.

I would be nervous about moving three happy children, so would probably put up the with driving, but agree with you that it’s tempting to move them!

I wouldn't move them if they are happy where they are, especially given that you had problems at school A previously.

Leave them where they are happy.

Do you know anyone who lives close to the school who would let you put the bikes in their back garden or garage during the day? So you cycle to their house and walk the remainder, perhaps in exchange for walking their child in with your own?

What made me question moving them is I was told one of my children will be in a mixed class next year. Would that bother you?

@Sl33py

What made me question moving them is I was told one of my children will be in a mixed class next year. Would that bother you?

Will they be with older or younger children? Are you worried they won't be pushed enough? Tbh I was in a mixed class all through primary. We 2ere in sets for maths and phonics which was a mix of our yr and the one above. In addition we had a group of SN children taught by a second teacher (back in the days before ta's so just two teachers to teach us all). It was fine. We didn't massively notice the age gap because we were all doing the same thing

I think your four year old has to have the 40 minute walk as the least worst option myself. Or have the scooter as suggested?