Which school?

[DrHWeasley]

For DS- an active boy, loves the outdoors, academically capable but lazy unless interested. Generally well behaved but can be easily led.

School 1: DS in preschool currently, within walking distance, 2 form entry, town school, limited outdoor space. Much higher than average SEN and free school meals, on the edge of the towns rougher estate, where ASB is often reported. Ofsted report says behaviour well managed and pupils achieve well. We have had some issues in pre school with other DC hitting/ scratching/ throwing stuff/ verbal threats - when discussed with school they dismiss as 'rough and tumble gone too far' and 'boys will be boys', however other children are reporting same issues with the same child so I'm dubious re whether it's being managed effectively.

School 2: 15 minute drive, village school, 1 form entry, huge amount of outdoor space with outdoor classrooms, forest school etc. Less diverse entry/ fewer SEN/FSM. Academic results not quite as good as school 1 but on a par with national average. Ofsted good, but report says most able pupils need to be challenged more.

We have a space in school one but considering switching to two (they have space for us) as feel it may suit DS better in terms of general learning environment, as well as feeling that the challenges in school 1 mean that perhaps niggly poor (but not terrible) behaviour is let go, based on our experience so far... questioning myself massively though and we've not been able to look at either school due to covid.

School 1 as he can walk there instead of a 30 minute round trip in the car twice a day. Otherwise school 1 sounds better.

Also wanted to ask how you know he is lazy, or indeed academically able, if he hasn't even started primary school yet?

Other than the drive id say school 2. Its nice to have school friends locally to play with

@Maddermax, I knew someone would jump on that 🤣. It's his teacher's description, not mine. He's able to read and perform basic mathematics at 4 having not started school, interested in various specific subjects and can reel off a loads of facts about them, but basically if he's not interested, he's not doing it. My guess is that is what they mean, but tbh at 4, like you imply, there's a long way to go 🤷🏼‍♀️

School 2 - is the outdoor learning for all years or just the youngest years? My local primary has forest school but it's just for Reception and year 1.

Are there 30 kids in each year? If it's smaller than that then I would reject on the basis that the friendship pool is too small.

School 2- outdoor learning seems to be prioritized throughout the school, based on their website. And yes, 30 kids per year.

I'd go for school 2 as long as you don't mind the drive. I was in this position when DS was approaching primary and I went with the further away option. He's now about to finish primary and I'll miss our little school run journeys.