to be considering changing DD's school for these reasons

[whoneedssleepanyway]

Could have posted in education but wanted some quick honest opinions, sorry this is a bit lengthy.

DD1 is in year 1 at a local state school, just under 15 min walk from home. Used to be 2 min walk frmo school but we moved. Probably wouldn't have been my first choice school for her (as other better schools in aread) but it was the only school we would get into based on distance criteria and it is a good school.

DD2 is due to start reception next September. She would get into DD1's existing school due to sibling priority.

There is however arguably a better school just round the corner from us that DD2 would probably get into based on distance.

DD1's school is also due to undergo an expansion project next year to increase it to 2 form entry and this is likely to be very disruptive (based on feedback from teachers at another local school that underwent a similar project a couple of years ago). I have my reservations also about doubling the school in size, there is not much outside space as is, without having twice as many pupils. There is no doubt the buildings are old and tired and a new modern school would be great but that is not the be all and end all and obviously quality of teachers etc more important. I have also have my reservations about how well DD1's school performs as you get to the higher years from things I have picked up from parents of children in older years.

So I could apply for DD2's place at what is now our nearest school and then apply to transfer DD1 when a place comes free (we would be top of waiting list once DD2 got in due to sibling priority).

The thing is I know DD1 would be upset to leave her existing school as she has lots of friends there and loves it and is doing well. I also do feel some loyalty to existing school as DD1 has thrived there so far she has had 2 fantastic teachers and the school has done nothing wrong so far, these are only theoretical problems.

But I just can't get out of my head that had we been living where we do now when applying for DD1's school place we would have not gone for this school but gone for our now local school in preference.

So AIBU to be considering moving DD1 for these theoretical issues? Should I just leave her where she is and see what happens?

Sibling prioity will not apply to your older child under your reception child is actually in school, ie. next September. Who knows where you'll be on the waiting list by then?

There is more to a school than how modern the buildings are. If DD1 loves it at her school, the chances are DD2 would too and it would be a shame to move a settled and happy child for the sake of it.

I don't think you get sibling priority in this situation but could be wrong. I think the deciding factor for me would be that your dd is happy where she is.

Yes I know that Flogging but even without sibling priority now she would be very near top of waiting list due to our proximity to the school and come september she would most likely be top subject to someone else with sibling moving closer than us.

Unreasonable to move on the basis of theoretical issues.
Quite Reasonable to move on basis of convenience (to much closer school).

Odds are your DD1 is good at making friends & would move well. So I lean towards moving for geographic reasons. As long as you strongly expect to stay where you are for next 3+ years.

I was nodding along till I got to the bit where you say DD2 loves her school and is doing well. I think that is beyond price (having recently moved schools due to a bigger geographical move). Why do you think the other school is better? No school is perfect (I know that to my cost). I do think though in terms of your life / sanity it's important to have them both at the same school.

sorry to clarify I know the sibling priority would not kick in until next September once DD2 was in the school, but DD1 could go on waiting list as soon as we knew DD2 had a place there and she would be near top and would probably move to top once DD2 started.

MammaTJ I agree that was the point I was trying to make about how modern buildings aren't any indication of how good a school was.

I know DD1 is happy but I can't shake this feeling that the other school is better and there may be disruption to come.....

Do you actually prefer the school nearer you? If so, then it sounds worth doing.

flogging is right that your dd2 won't actually be at the school until September, although as a sibling (do double check that siblings have priority) dd1 would then be at the top, or very close to.

If you do put it down as first preference for dd2, then it makes sense to put dd1 on the waiting list asap. I would also check the size of the waiting list and how much mobility there is in the lower years of the school. Also how 'probably' dd2 is likely to get into the school.

But do be sure that you really prefer what is now your nearer school. An expansion project can have benefits in terms of extra capacity and resources in the school etc.

lljkk we are likely to stay where we are until both DDs have finished education....

Wilson I definitely agree I need to have them both at the same school.

We've jsut had this with DD and she is in year 8 - thought moving schools meant her world was going to end whereas she has actually undergone somewhat of a transformation into a proper member of the human race rather than the kid who used to grunt at you - what I am trying to say is that moving schools IMO is really not that much of a big deal for the child - may seem to them but they will adjust and as your DD has been there such a short time she will be fine. Girls especially of that age love a new kid (DD moved twice - year 3 and 8 and has gone fab both times) so I would say move her once DD2 gets into the other school - maybe stick her name on the waiting list if there is one already.

Also, could you actually manage 2 children in 2 different schools whilst you're waiting for a place to come up, be that for 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years etc...

People do by using before/after school care, but it's worth thinking through the logistics of that too.

Are they building a whole new school or just an extension? One would be much more disruptive than the other! With the existing school is there anything that points towards improvement for the future like recent new senior teachers or head? How do clubs and school trips compare? How do the most recent days results compare?