AIBU?
To move DC's to a different school?
ApplesAndBears · 26/05/2013 13:18
I have 3 DC, one is almost 3 and about to start nursery/pre-school, one is at a local infant school and the other at a local junior school.
The two at school seem very happy and enjoy school, although when asked have said they like the idea of moving schools... Both schools are good in my opinion, although perhaps quite laid back compared to other schools. They are both ofsted rated 'good', although I do realise ofsted needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Most of the local children go to theses two schools so they is quite a community (more for DC than DH & I) and they regularly have friends round after school.
The school run takes about an hour altogether though, they are about 20 mins walk apart, all up hill/downhill with toddler in tow & next to busy roads.
The local pre-schools aren't great either...
15 minuted drive away is a fantastic village school infant/junior combined (ofsted outstanding in all areas), there is also a brilliant pre school there. It's also a really lovely area, the children get to do much more 'outdoorsy' activities.
The problem would be having their friends round after school, it would also mean the DC 'stepping out' of the local community.
AIBU to even consider moving them?
thebody · 26/05/2013 13:47
I think having lots of friends from lots of different schools/clubs/ social groups is the key.
If you move them it just means even more friends and a wider network.
Our approach had always been to our kids that they don't loose friends by change but they gain them.
Go for it.
ApplesAndBears · 26/05/2013 15:18
Hi Jinty, yes they do have spaces in the years we need, we've been to look at it and met the head, we were very impressed. I think their catchment is pretty wide, the village is tiny so most children come from surrounding areas & if oversubscribed would hopefully be able to get him in with the sibling policy.
oldendaysending · 26/05/2013 15:38
I don't think you're being at all unreasonable, but just to play devil's advocate 
15 minutes drive away is a lot for a child. I do personally feel that having local friends is important the smaller they are - it isn't as important at high school because they're more able to get around and about easily.
I love thebody's idea, but the truth is that without regular interaction kids can feel left out and lose contact.
That said I don't think it's a bad idea at all - how old is your oldest?
ApplesAndBears · 26/05/2013 15:48
oldendaysending - Our eldest is in year 3 and has been with her class since reception. The walk to get her to school in the mornings involves us all walking her up the hill for 10 mins, then back down and to the infant school which takes another 20 mins, in fact it usually takes longer.. Pick up takes about an hour.
cardibach · 26/05/2013 17:48
My DD went to a small village primary around 20 minutes away - some local children also attended, so she did have local friends. Might that be the case for you as well? In any case, as we live in a rural area, there is a degree of ferrying involved. DD never seemed to mind and it wasn't too onerous for me. I'd go for it, I prefer infant/junior in one school anyway.
ApplesAndBears · 26/05/2013 18:26
There is one local family who go there. Another thing is that the school told us a lot of the children go on to private education. If ours don't (likely won't) they won't be 'moving up' with their peers, whereas they would with our local school....
Lifeisontheup · 26/05/2013 18:27
Mine went to school a 20 minutes drive away and were fine, they're at uni now with a good circle of friends.
The obvious good point is when they're teens and you leave them alone for the weekend they're unlikely to have vast numbers of friends round. It does mean a bit of taxi service though.
LemonBreeland · 26/05/2013 18:35
I don't think yous should move them unless there is a problem with the school they are at.
My dc went to the local school and now go to a larger school 15 mins drive away. I only moved them as their education was suffering at the village school. It was still a hard decision for me though as I grew up going to a school in a different village to where we lived and hated not having friends to play out with after school.
Llareggub · 26/05/2013 18:40
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
That said, my DCs don't go to the local school, but they have still found friends in our street to play with. We often meet their classmates at weekends, but suspect this is unusual. My children attend a Catholic school so perhaps the parents make an effort to meet up at weekends because after school play dates are tricky.
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