Choosing a primary school - which of these factors is more important?

[Gilbot]

We’re choosing a primary school. Will be fee paying as due to where we live & location of the school the state option is unfortunately unattractive.

We’ve visited schools A and B and both seem great, and although there are pros and cons of each, overall we like them equally . So it boils down to the following:

School A - Five minute walk from home. No links to any particular secondary school. Kids go to a range of secondary schools.

School B - 45 minute walk from home, or 15 minute drive (but quite a stressful drive, think lots of parents trying to negotiate narrow streets in huge 4x4s). But this school has links with the most sought after local secondary school so DC would be guaranteed a place there if they are academic enough (I’m optimistic about this but obviously it’s far too early to say for sure)

DH works full time with a long commute. I work 4 days with a shorter commute.

Which would you choose?

Bump

Probably the five minute walk one. A 45 min walk will get to be a real pain if weather is bad or you are in a rush. Also grinds will be more accessible.

Friends not grinds

Definitely A. We had this and I cannot emphasize enough how proximity to school helped keep all of our stress levels to a minimum - especially as we both work.

Some days we even manage to walk them to school. The laughs and chats were priceless. Youngest off to secondary this year and me and partner were discussing how we both seem to remember this ‘mundane’ stuff much better than holidays etc....

Definitely a.

An awkward school run can have a really negative effect on the while family.

Absolutely A

A

I'd go for school B. Whilst a lot can change between now and secondary school, I think it's important to keep an eye on the next step.

Shorter commute, no question. The long commute will make your life miserable daily, all just for a potential future trade off that won’t appear for years. A primary school only a short walk away is a real gift. Definitely go with the 5-minute walk one!

If you are really keen on getting into the secondary then go for option B. That would be the only reason to go for it.

B

Not sure friends will necessarily be local as its a private school. Otherwise,close is generally good idea. If you and DH both work I don't think a 45 minute walk is viable, so does the drive work with your commutes and wraparound care in mind? I personally think its not necessarily an advantage to get automatic place at a secondary school. Yes, of course it means no entrance exams at 11, but you can't possibly know at 3 or 4 what secondary school will suit your child, and in a lot of ways its better to have an open choice. Also, how many children join at secondary level? If not that many you child might be with the same schoolmates from 4 to 18. Which might be great or it might be claustrophobic.

A. Lovely chats on the school run mean you'll really know more about what's going on. No stress getting there or parking or road rage. Plus you will probs find you meet other parents on the walk and more local friends (even for private this has been the case in my experience). If your child is academic a good private school will get them in. Finally if they're super academic you can moat likely switch at 7+ or even later. Lots of children move over in year 4

A, for the reasons above. It will also be easier for them to walk themselves as they get older or to meet a friend if you're stuck

I presume you mean reception to y6.
is that right?

if yes then 7 years+ is a very long time to have longer, more stressful school runs unless the school is exceptionally brilliant.

I know this from experience.
we moved 7 years ago and only stayed with our primary (so reception to y2, several kids going every 2 years) because the school is extraordinary.
we've literally just had our last ever day there after 16 years and although we loved the school I'm delighted to never have to drive there again (8min drive if no traffic, up to 45 mins if a sparrow farted and parking was a nightmare).

so don't underestimate a quick walk to school. it will come handy when kids forget xyz for school or get ill and need picking up or once they are old enough to walk there & back.

Also by the time you'll need to pick a secondary a lot can change. the closer primary might have a good secondary to move into. the farther one might extend catchment etc.

I prefer a bird in the hand now, I'd go with the closer school.

Will you be using wraparound care at school? As it may be a quicker journey at 8 then 9am. I went for a further school, there have been a few occasions I've kicked myself not to have picked the school 5 mins away (bad weather etc) but on the whole I'm pleased.

Thanks all
Yes we are talking reception- yr 6

A - quality of life for 7 years followed by a range of options afterwards.

No point being so focused on the next steps that you forget about your life now.

Definitely option A - shorter walking with little legs is much better for many of the reasons listed but also allows you to dash back if instruments, homework, snack, PE kit or water bottle gets forgotten. Spoken by a Mum of two who go to a primary school within 5 minutes walk!

A
More chance of local friends

A without a doubt if all other things are equal.

A. Apart from anything else, the range of schools that pupils move on to sounds as though the school is more focused on developing each child as an individual rather than moulding them to fit particular expectations, and that's the type of primary school experience I'd prefer my child to have.

If we had our time again, proximity every time. We've made that mistake both for primary and secondary and I can't stress its importance enough.

@TeenMinusTests

A - quality of life for 7 years followed by a range of options afterwards.

No point being so focused on the next steps that you forget about your life now.

This is such a great piece of advice.