Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How important is choice of infant school?

48 replies

Howdowepick · 14/01/2022 12:52

DH and I are completely unable to choose our first choice infant school for DS. We've been through all available metrics, considered location, costs, wraparound, spoken to parents etc. and still can't pick. I know we are overthinking because it's our PFB and we want to get it right, but I don't know how much it really matter because both are infants which are feeders for the same outstanding Junior. They align curriculums between each other and with the Junior.

The differences we think really matter and how we see them differently are:

School 1 - seems to focus a bit more on well-being/happiness, does Forest School and a lot more music and sport.

School 2 - is a more traditional style, possibly stronger academically but for Infants it's hard to gauge. Parents do say it's nurturing.Only one outdoor lesson per terms. Very little music or sport beyond the minimum until Y2.

DS is very very young in the year, he's active and loves the outdoors, My gut feel is he would enjoy School 1 more but he is so obviously young in Pre School - the least attentive, for example, and I don't know if the more traditional setting of School 2 would set him up better for his future. He is bright and I don't want him to waste his opportunities. That's not to say school 2 is ill disciplined, they just seem to have a more cuddly approach.

Given they both end up in the same Junior school, would a less academic and less rigorous infants be a bad thing? Will he do better if he's having more fun? Or given he's so young and inattentive, is the more firm approach from the start more important?

OP posts:
PyreFire · 14/01/2022 12:57

If he is young for his year then school 1 would be my pick. It's better that he enjoys school in his very early years, as that will set him up to pay attention and enjoy school in his latter years. If it were junior or senior school level, I'd say the more academic school, but at his current age just getting a positive experience of school is most important

Original poster
Howdowepick · 14/01/2022 12:59

Thanks for replying. That's what I'm leaning towards but I can't help but be swayed by the consensus we'd be mad to turn down a place at the "better" school.

OP posts:
Storminamu · 14/01/2022 13:01

I'd go for the sport/music one, but do a bit of extra work with him at home on English and maths, so that he doesn't start the next school on a bottom table, which could affect his confidence and progress.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery General education Primary education
ThePlantsitter · 14/01/2022 13:03

The key to learning is to want to learn. Whichever school is more open to kids finding out about different things and being interested in all sorts is going to be more likely to set your kid up for a lifetime of learning and enjoying learning. That sounds like school 1 to me. Even if they're a bit slower at phonics, enthusiasm for a wide range of things is going to carry them along in education for the rest of their lives.

mindutopia · 14/01/2022 13:31

Based on what you’ve said, definitely school 1. But a key consideration for me would be fitting your day around school. If you’re both working, convenience and ease of drop off/pick up and breakfast/after school clubs is really important.

busyeatingbiscuits · 14/01/2022 13:32

I’d always go for more play/activity in infants.

mummymummymummummum · 14/01/2022 13:36

My 'youngest in year' DD has struggled with the transition to sitting at desks and working (she's just moved to year 1). School 1 sounds far better for her. I'd choose that based on what you're saying.

Also, following your gut instinct on this is super important!

Tal45 · 14/01/2022 13:38

School 1 sounds fantastic!

rainrainraincamedowndowndown · 14/01/2022 13:39

I would choose school 1. Happiness, forest school, music, sports matters so much more than academics at that age.

SummerHouse · 14/01/2022 13:39

School 1
School 1
School 1

We have had the privilege of an absolutely outstanding primary school (don't care or even know what the current Ofsted rating is). The key thing is the phenomenal staff who care about the children. I think our school is more along the lines of the school 1 you describe.

But don't worry. It sounds like you are choosing between two perfectly good schools. You can't lose. I just think them enjoying school is paramount at this early stage and school 1 has potentially the edge on that.

TeenPlusCat · 14/01/2022 13:40

Whatever you do get your application in by the deadline (which is any day now)!

Hemingwayzcatz · 14/01/2022 13:41

Most people just go with the school closest to home. Kids are generally quite robust and tend to find a way to fit in anywhere. School one sounds best imo.

Original poster
Howdowepick · 14/01/2022 13:45

Thanks. Yes the deadline is tomorrow. We've been going round in circles for months and still can't choose. Which is a good thing, we're lucky we really would be happy with either. School 2 is Ofsted outstanding but hasn't been inspected for a number for years. School 1 is 'good', but has new buildings and a new head since that inspection. School 2 just feels like more of a closed book - hence my point that it's hard to compare as we just don't always have the same like for like info.

OP posts:
LittleOverWhelmed · 14/01/2022 14:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

EllieSattler · 14/01/2022 14:13

Absolutely school 1. Sport and music are just as important as academic rigour. And Forest School is absolutely brilliant for Infants, both my kids adored it, its the highlight of the younger one's week. They'll be covering the same material, small children learn better with lots of fresh air, exercise and fun, and so long as you support them with reading and spellings and counting, they'll learn absolutely everything they need to.

EllieSattler · 14/01/2022 14:15

Mind you if you really can't decide, flip a coin and get that application in! School 1 or School 2 will be better than the shit school with no wraparound halfway across the county/Borough.

DockOTheBay · 14/01/2022 14:18

A child with engaged and interested parents, in a decent school, will do well wherever they go. I'm sure he will thrive in either setting 🙂 also remember that these choices aren't set in stone - if you start somewhere and find it is not a good fit you have the option to apply to move to a different school later in the year or the following year

Original poster
Howdowepick · 14/01/2022 14:23

We have put an application in but we can still amend it until tomorrow night.

Covid meant that only School 1 did full tours. School 2 is being more cautious generally so I could only attend a presentation in the hall. Didn't see inside any classrooms, nor see any teachers interact with any of the children. Therefore I really don't have a gut feel. I'm swayed towards School 1 but I think that's because having been inside it, I can picture it. I don't have a picture in mind for 2. It's just got this old outstanding rating and is always oversubscribed. I've spent five months trying to work out why and I'm still none the wiser. But given it's so popular, I can't help but think we're missing something and would be doing our son a disservice by not choosing it.

OP posts:
SummerHouse · 14/01/2022 14:25

I'd love to ask a teacher at the junior school where they would send their children! Not helpful, just a random thought... Unless you know any teachers at the junior school??

SummerHouse · 14/01/2022 14:28

@Howdowepick

We have put an application in but we can still amend it until tomorrow night.

Covid meant that only School 1 did full tours. School 2 is being more cautious generally so I could only attend a presentation in the hall. Didn't see inside any classrooms, nor see any teachers interact with any of the children. Therefore I really don't have a gut feel. I'm swayed towards School 1 but I think that's because having been inside it, I can picture it. I don't have a picture in mind for 2. It's just got this old outstanding rating and is always oversubscribed. I've spent five months trying to work out why and I'm still none the wiser. But given it's so popular, I can't help but think we're missing something and would be doing our son a disservice by not choosing it.

People are sheep. An outstanding rating is like a magnet. But can be quite the red herring!

We literally walk past an 'outstanding' school to get to our school. I have never once regretted our decision.

INeedNewShoes · 14/01/2022 14:31

School 1 without a doubt!

DD struggled with her first term in reception but was much happier about going on the days where they got to do something more active (her school take them all swimming for example and there's a lunchtime sports club one day).

Had DD been at a school that didn't have any extra activities I don't think I'd have been able to convince her to go (despite the fact that it's a lovely school with very nice teachers and she is actually very academic so it's not that she's intimidated by work).

SwanShaped · 14/01/2022 14:34

School 1!

betwixtlives · 14/01/2022 14:34

School 1, without a doubt. Let the kid enjoy himself before you start worrying about how academic he is

eagerlywaitingfor · 14/01/2022 14:35

School 1.

NotVictorianHonestly · 14/01/2022 14:36

School 1. The hoops that schools have to jump through to be rated as outstanding are not necessarily compatible with the things that make school an enjoyable experience. At that age I'd prioritise a warm, nurturing and enjoyable environment above all else.

Swipe left for the next trending thread