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

If you move them now you’re going to have the same problem with a split school run again in 2 years, plus if their current school is near their secondary they are more likely to know people etc.

I’d second getting a scooter for the 4 yo even if you have to carry / wheel it home.

There is a website where people rent out their driveways for parking - could you ask around locally or google, and see if someone living very near school B would let you park on their drive for 20 minutes twice a day?

Otherwise, maybe ask the school what their plans are on bikes / scooters for next term and explain the issue? They might be able to find you a spot for just one bike / scooter, even if they’re not allowing all the kids to use them.

Failing all that, I’d be using a double buggy for 4yo and baby, and ignoring anyone who said the 4yo was too old for it.

What are the secondary options op?
Is it likely that your eldest will go same secondary as kids in her current school or the other school.
That alone would determine my choice.
I moved my Dd when she was in year 1 for many reasons but one of which was about the secondary. A lot of the kids went on to a failing school and the other options were very hit and miss application wise. Out of a year group the kids split off into 5 secondary schools.
Moved her to a school where all the kids go to the same good secondary all together.

DD has moved primary a few times, due to our job relocations. I wouldn't recommend anyone moving a happy child, DD is confident, but found it increasingly hard to fit in with established groups and gaps in her education began to show. Her one requisite for high school was that she didn't want to move again. On the surface kids cope, and she did, but as they get older and talk about their experiences you realise that a lot of the coping is only skin deep.

I am unsure why you would take kids out of a school after only 9 days in the first place.

There is a website where people rent out their driveways for parking - could you ask around locally or google, and see if someone living very near school B would let you park on their drive for 20 minutes twice a day?
That is a great idea.

I wouldn't. New schools are notorious for having transient populations and a variety of other issues. If you have a choice and school B is good, I'd keep them there.

I’d move them. But then I’m thinking from the perspective that I wouldn’t physically be able to get them all to school and be on time for work unless I put them in breakfast club, which I wouldn’t want to do. Convenience was key for me when mine were little tbh.

If they were only there 9 days I think you can’t really judge school A tbh. And surely when it comes round to secondary school, eldest can walk on her own?