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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Good school vs nicer house

22 replies

MarioandLuigi · 28/01/2011 12:44

We currently live in an okayish area in a quite nice house (it needs a bit of work but we are doing it slowly). We are in the catchment area of an outstanding school.

DH has been talking about moving to a nicer area with better local amenities and bigger houses. The area has a Secondary school which has been graded by Ofsted as Good.

I think we should stay put, DH thinks schools are not the only consideration in life (which I do agree with, but I think they need to be a priority, especially as DS1 is in year 5)

WWYD?

OP posts:
beanlet · 28/01/2011 12:45

Good school. Def. I'd live in a shed to be in the catchment of an outstanding school.

KangarooCaught · 28/01/2011 12:47

I would go and have a look at both schools to see if that firmed up any decision.

ISNT · 28/01/2011 12:49

For is it'd be good school no question. You have all of your lives to move into other houses, your children only get one education.

ISNT · 28/01/2011 12:49

Although Kangaroo has a point about checking out schools - the ones that ofsted like / are popular, are not always the ones that you personally like. Have a look, is a good idea.

jeee · 28/01/2011 12:51

If your eldest is in year 5, surely you only need to stay where you are for another year or so, at which point he'll get his place at the better school. Then (assuming siblings get priority), you can move to your better house, whilst your children still get the better school.

jenandberry · 28/01/2011 12:52

Schools can change and also how you are arriving at the information that your school is outstanding.

My children went to a school that was outstanding and next OFSTED it just escaped special measures.

Original poster
MarioandLuigi · 28/01/2011 12:56

Jeee - the area is quite a way away and so we wouldnt be able to move and still attend the school, I dont drive and its a bit out of the way.

jenandberry - its about to be made an academy.I say outstanding because thats its Ofsted grade.

I ahve visited both schools - DS's primary school now has links to the outstanding one and he has been to a few different events. He also does drama club on a saturday at the good one. He wants to go to the outstanding one (because he likes it, not becauase its outstanding though)

OP posts:
trixie123 · 28/01/2011 13:00

How old is your child? OFSTED ratings can change quite quickly and also, just because one is rated outstanding and one good does not automatically mean the former is the best place for YOUR child. I think you have to look at the whole situation. Will the new house / area open up new possibilities for hobbies, activities, friendship groups etc? Please don't rely solely on OFSTED reports, they are simply a reflection of how the latest wheeze has been taken on and absorbed into the paperwork of a school. Lesson observation forms a tiny part of it.

fifi25 · 28/01/2011 13:03

My kids go to an 'outstanding school'. I went to a shool in the same area, still has the same headmaster and got the worst ofstead report in the district. It was stated in the report that the kids felt safe and secure and were happy when in school. This is just how i remember it when i was there. I loved school. My kids dislike their school which i am constantly pulling out money for so it stays outstanding.

ISNT · 28/01/2011 13:03

Sorry I missed the age of the child, I though he was 5, not year 5, and this was about primary school.

If it's for secondary then your DS's opinion should also carry some weight IMO. Not that he decides, but that if he has a preference (which he does) then it should be taken into account.

Is there no bus route between the new area and the outstanding school?

Sidge · 28/01/2011 13:09

What Ofsted say, and what is actually best for your child can be two different things.

IME schools can change within months, with a change of Head for example.

You need to look at the whole package, not just schools IMO. Good amenities and housing are important too, as are the needs of the rest of the family.

ISNT · 28/01/2011 13:27

Sidge also makes a good point - and it leads me to think of something else. You say that the new area is a bit out of the way and it seems there are not many transport links. Your son is going to want to start having some freedom in the next few years and it sounds like him going out is going to be difficult to say the least, which is not ideal either.

ISNT · 28/01/2011 13:27

For that matter how are you going to get out and about if you don't drive and it's out of the way?

KnittedBreast · 28/01/2011 13:29

school every time

Blu · 28/01/2011 13:32

I would definitely visit both schools.

Do they both stream, and for what subjects. how would that suit your DS, what is behaviour like, facilities, etc.

I would put choice of school first, but wouldn't automatically assume that an outstanding ofsted meant a school more suited to my child, or necessarily a better education.

Original poster
MarioandLuigi · 28/01/2011 13:34

I mean the outstanding school is a bit out of the way - there is no direct bus (all the children are collected and taken by school bus) - Its on a bypass between 2 suburbs of the area we live in.

The new area that DH wants to move to is very easy to get to - it has its own shops as well as being on lots of bus routes. I can see the advantages of living there.

OP posts:
ISNT · 28/01/2011 13:39

Hmmm tricky.

Which school do you prefer - which do you think would suit your son?

Original poster
MarioandLuigi · 28/01/2011 13:40

Outstanding school is a specialist Technical College, DS struggles a little in maths (although just above average levels wise) but is very good at ICT and Science and he enjoys those things.

Good School doesnt have a speciality, and it also doesnt have a 6th form.

OP posts:
ISNT · 28/01/2011 13:46

So just thinking again.

For staying where you are: You and DS (who is the one who the school affects most, obviously)
For moving: DH

I know how that would pan out in our family Grin

Can't you put the move off for a few years?

Original poster
MarioandLuigi · 28/01/2011 13:55

We could put it off, but then we have DS2 and DD too :o

One other reason to stay put is that DS2 has SN and will start primary in September. They are currently putting his support plan in place (although it would be easier to get him to the school even if we moved).

OP posts:
ISNT · 28/01/2011 14:03

So really the place you are now has the right secondary school and the right primary school, and you have 3 children to think of. Where would your DS2 go to school if you moved - is the school as suitable for him - would he even get a place if you moved now?

Plus you and DS want to stay put.

What are the reasons for going again? An area a bit nicer, a house a bit bigger...

I know what we would do but I'm not sure that helps you much Smile

ISNT · 28/01/2011 14:04

Didn't read your post properly. So DS2's school will be OK wherever you live.

Back to square one then.

What are the primaries like in the new area, for DD?

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