HELP! Have I made the wrong Primary School Choice?!

[18daychallenge]

Please help. I'm in a panic and really need some well-rounded advice.

We have made our Primary School selection for DC1 and submitted the form. We had the choice of two schools.

School 1 is a ten-minute walk up the road, very accessible and a good school. However, there were some small things that put me off (eg. a bit dingy, a very uninformed substitute teacher and some unruly year 6 children) but nothing major. Overall, a nice school, nice teachers, just didn't get a 'nice feeling' from it.

School 2 is a short drive away (2.5 miles but not safe to walk) which would take about 5-10 minutes, and also rated as good. Parking is quite difficult at 8.45 (but DC1 would likely be in breakfast club so wouldn't be so bad in the morning). The school was very focussed on children developing hobbies, sports and music, which I really liked. I also just got a really good feel from it, and could really see DC1 there.

We chose School 2 - but SO MANY people have told me to pick the one in walking distance. The other difficult thing is that my DH doesn't drive (medical issue) so the responsibility would all be on me, which might make it more challenging getting to work (I work full time, about 40-minute drive commute).

Please help - if you have any advice, or were in the same situation and made a choice - and please be kind, I know I shouldn't be deliberating this NOW, but its just after a meeting with some friends with older children I'm now having a wobble.

Thanks!

I would absolutely go with your gut here. In your shoes, yes, I'd have chosen school 2 as well.

We've never been in a position to have a school that was walking distance. Our current school is a 5 minute drive away (on a fast A road with no pavements, also not walkable). But previously, in old house, we had two options, both a 10 minute drive from us.

I think if you don't have access to a car, and need to walk because of lack of public transport or if the school run on public transport would take 45 minutes, then walkable is important. I've personally never felt we missed out by having a 5-10 minute drive. Think how far most people commute for work and it doesn't put them off taking a job that's more than 10 minutes away or make it impossible for them to go to work 5 days a week because they can't walk to work. I think we could make at least that effort for the right school.

I'd be really happy with that choice personally, so I wouldn't worry at all. The only thing I'd say is get in as soon as possible on breakfast and after school clubs as there isn't always space and it sounds like you will need it. I would also consider what your school transport options are. Is there a bus? If there is, even one you have to pay for, it might make life easier so your dh can 'do the school run' to the bus stop, even if he can't drive.

I think you've made the right choice, because you've chosen a school that feels right for your child.

WRT the school run, it would be ideal if you could foster a positive helpful relationship with reciprocal benefits for other parents, so in an emergency for them you take their dc, and in an emergency for you, they take yours. It's massively helpful if you can do this with decent people who aren't cheeky users, a support network is such a boon. Failing this, taxis should be doable short term.

If being in walking distance was the most attractive thing about the school, it's not a very good school, is it?

Honestly, that "really good feel" you got from it tells me you've made the right decision. And if turns out wrong? Apply for a place at the other school, one may come up (kids do move around mid-term). I bet it won't be wrong though, I've put my dc in three schools I got that good feeling from and they've all been great. Other schools I didn't - other kids went there and it was not a good experience for them. Trust your gut!

I picked the walk rather than the 8 minute drive (not safe to walk or cycle)

It was definitely the wrong choice and now have swapped.

Oooh thats a tricky one. I'd have almost certainly have gone with the walking distance one for primary school, but gut feeling is important too I guess.
Have you other people you can rely on for driving? It's remarkable how often my friends who drive their kids to school have unforeseen issues (car broken down, they are ill, a broken ankle in one case which was 6 weeks and then some of hassle!, c-sections!)

I went with a school that had the good feel about it and we happen to drive 2.5 miles there (nothing walkable) and it’s been absolutely the right choice. If that helps!

I went for the one within walking distance and wish I hadn’t!
It’s a decent school, but I think the one they would have gone to would have been a better fit.

going with your gut is good.

When my children were younger I could have picked the school in super quick walking time from us , but it simply wasn’t the best school for them . The other school was a 5 minute drive ( for us also walkable some days ) , but the truth is either way I would have had to get the car out to drive to my work place ( very not walkable! ) , so driving them in first made no difference at all really , and definitely the right choice .

The only thing I would keep in mind that school pick up time could sometimes be a pain with parking as people often arrived to get “their” parking spot half an hour before collection time, and I was reliant on the traffic getting back from work . Also breakfast club and spaces at after school clubs etc can be hotly contested , so with any school don’t expect them to be guaranteed if you are relying on them being in them every day .

Ate you likely to get into the further away school?

If you still feel this way in April, you can go on the waiting list for the closer school. Or you may be allocated it anyway, and go on the waiting list for the further school.

If my husband didn’t drive I wouldn’t have picked option 2- but I doubt either will be catastrophic.

We opted for the one thats a 10 min drive vs the one we could walk to as the school is smaller and will suit our DS better

Many on mumsnet seem to value the distance, and I do get this, but it's really not our priority

It sounds to me like you've made the right choice!

We had the choice between a 'good' school 3 minute walk away or one a 5 mins drive away and we went with the one we had to drive to. Do you know any other parents sending children there? We've got a bit of a car pool going and it does really help, some mum's do the drop offs and some of us will do the pick ups.

We didn't pick the walking distance school cos we didn't get good vibes. Our daughter is 8 now. You adapt to a routine. Parking is a nightmare at schools but again you'd get used to it. Walking to school has its Negatives. Can guarantee it always rains on the school run 😄 so you'd likely drive to the walking distance school anyway! Stay as you are. You picked it for a reason. And if you work full time wouldn't you be driving to go to work anyway? I understand you're saying it all falls on you but as time goes on you'll build friendships with parents who might assist with pick ups now and again. And if it was desperate couldn't your husband get a lift to school or even a taxi? IDK. Believe in your gut decision.

Sounds to me like you've made the right choice, go with your gut. We were in a similar situation and ended up moving to the further away school a few years in. There was more to it than that but it worked out for us in the end.

If you're using breakfast club that will make it much easier dropping off in the morning if it's like our school (we drop off in the car park which is closed at normal drop off time).

I had the same choice to make and picked the walking distance school. I regretted it. You made the right decision.