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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask for your h

48 replies

hibbledibble · 28/04/2015 09:49

I'm gutted that I didn't get the school I wanted. I'm now looking at other schools, something I didn't out much thought in before as I thought we would get a place in our first choice. I've viewed 3 options and have to make a decision quickly before the deadline (30 April!). Dd is awaiting assessment regarding SEN.

School A is local, around a 10 minute walk. It has has had a rather difficult history but I believe it is improving. It has a very deprived intake, with lots of temporary accommodation nearby. Very high FSM and EFL. The facilities are quite shabby, but should be redeveloped this summer. Very big classrooms and playground. Good SEN provision. I like that with a local school dd would have local friends etc. The school had a warm feel. Good value added.

School B is very big and felt rather impersonal on viewing it. It has a huge site but is 2/3 form entry, which I feel is a bit big for a primary school. However it has excellent facilities and value added scores, as well as excellent SEN provision. It is around 1 mile away. High EFL and FSM but not as high as school A.

School C is around a 30 minute drive. I loved the feel of the school. It is single form entry with a good community. Good facilities in some aspects, but poor in others. The school site is quite small but it has a good reception playground. The achievement is extremely high, but this is partially a reflection of the intake, with comparatively low FSM and EFL. I think their SEN provision is likely to be the least strong of the 3 schools however.

All 3 schools had excellent behaved pupils, and I think all are good schools. I'm really struggling to decide which one.

OP posts:

addictedtosugar · 28/04/2015 10:54

A 30 min drive is about 15 miles round here.
A 30 min cycle is a totally different kettle of fish: probably 3-4m guessing what DS1 can cycle aged 5.

My son has thrived at a 3 intake primary. It has meant he can really choose his friends, and has a very close group scattered through the 3 classes.

I stick with A or B.

formerbabe · 28/04/2015 10:58

I'd go for a or b...i've done the driving to school thing and its awful...actually made me ill. What happens if your car breaks down?

By the way my dc are at a 3 form intake school and it doesn't feel too big or impersonal.

Original poster

hibbledibble · 28/04/2015 11:01

Temporary accommodation is council emergency accommodation.

High FSM and EFL I believe are relevant as they indicate the difficulties the school faces. The intake at school A is very deprived, and the head was very honest about the difficult backgrounds of a lot of the pupils. I believe the school does well, but the results are still below average.

OP posts:

SingingHinnies · 28/04/2015 11:03

School A, i have found schools with and intake of children from deprived areas have a better SN department, my DCs school was useless as hardly any kids with SN, were stuck in the 80's.

Sound's like the schools improving with facilities being added.

Over 3 DC my school had went from outstanding to satisfactory to good so anything can happen over primary years, plus school a is not a hike

DamFineBeaver · 28/04/2015 11:04

at title - really thought you were asking to borrow a husband.
you can have mine but I warn you he leaves hair in the plughole

Mopmay · 28/04/2015 11:04

Three form entry schools sound big but are often amazing due to the opportunities and ability for DC to find friends like them - much bigger pool to choose from

UnbelievableBollocks · 28/04/2015 11:14

I was in a similar position once and sent my DCs to a school 30 mins away.
Pros - brill school and they're doing really well there.
Cons - too far away to invite people over to play.

UnbelievableBollocks · 28/04/2015 11:15

One of my children has SN. As he's only one of a few in a small school, he gets a larger share of the resources than he would at a school with lots of kids with SEN, but I don't know if that's usual.

ImNameyChangey · 28/04/2015 11:38

Bollocks yes...my DC attend a school like the small one OP describes and my younger DD is on an IEP and she gets a TONNE of extra reading help.

SingingHinnies · 28/04/2015 11:52

I have been here, my dd went to the nice very middle class school which take's from one private estate. I had a constant battle from year 1 till year 4 to get her help, honestly the SN department was terrible, very few statemented kids or even kids identified with needing extra help, focused very much on getting good result's. I rang the school i went to 2 catchment's along and hahd a word with the head regarding moving dd, they take from a very deprived area but are known for their excellent SN's department, high number of kids statemented. I rung this school at a time when my school was changing heads and i was sick of the constant battle with the current head and SN teacher, i explained everything which was happening to the head of the other school and she said no this is not right at all, by all means we will take DD but i know the new head who is starting your school soon very well, let me have a word with her about it. New head started, all the kids identified as struggling were assessed, outside help was brought in for DD, she was sat away from windows and doors with an assistant who would explain the lesson to her. The whole SN department had a shake up. It took till year 4 from her being identified as having a learning delay at the end of reception, possibly has a processing disorder.

She in year 6 now and working towards level 5 on her sats, the head said she has never seen a kid go up so many reading level's so quick or make such and improvement and she is extremely proud of her, she has worked hard but has had lot's of extra help thanks to the new head and the head of the other school.

Original poster

hibbledibble · 28/04/2015 15:01

Interesting that most people are against the commute. It is only a few miles but likely bad traffic. There is also a bus in case of car breakdown.

I'm still agonising over the choice, but really appreciate the honest opinions.

I've called school c to get a better idea of the SEN provision.

OP posts:

Sootgremlin · 28/04/2015 15:54

Do you have younger dc? I would consider a commute, hypothetically, if it was the right school and know people who do, but for me it would cut the day up too much between drop off and pick up and wouldn't want to be bundling my younger child in a car for an hour twice a day. Also pita if you're running late, traffic etc.

I personally also like a lifestyle where I can walk and it seems a normal thing to do for children growing up, as well as good for the environment, and cost.

Sootgremlin · 28/04/2015 15:55

Posted too soon, but I suppose they are secondary considerations to your dd having a school that is right for her.

Original poster

hibbledibble · 30/04/2015 11:09

I'm bumping as today is offer day!

OP posts:

ImNameyChangey · 30/04/2015 12:28

Does that mean you will find out where you're going?

Original poster

hibbledibble · 30/04/2015 12:35

Sorry that should say offer reply day. I need to accept an offer at a school today.

OP posts:

eosmum · 30/04/2015 12:42

Definitely A imo.

TwoOddSocks · 30/04/2015 13:11

I'd definitely go for school A. Your daughter will have good SEN provision if she needs it and is less likely to be put off education if she's more of a slow starter than her class mates. Local friends, less tiring commute for your DD.

mummytime · 30/04/2015 13:25

A or B. A school can be too small.

I nearly moved one of mine from her nice m/c school to the school with high EFL and FSM on the wrong side of town, because having worked there I saw it was brilliant (unlike you that one would have been up to 30 mins away, which is why we didn't).

I like at least 2 form entry, to give some hope of friends, with a really small school, less than 30 a year, it's too easy to get a year where there is no one you really have much in common with.

Original poster

hibbledibble · 30/04/2015 13:32

Both A and C are single form entry. Sorry op didn't make that clear.

I love C in that it is a far more safe choice. With A we would be relying on the renovations happening, and continued improvements, which may not happen. School C has a great reception playground and music and lunch provision already, which is something school A is still working on.

I would definitely choose C if it wasn't for the distance.

OP posts:

rallytog1 · 30/04/2015 13:46

A. It's good for children to discover that society is diverse sooner rather than later. Add the excellent SEN provision to that and it sounds like a very promising place for your dd.

Sootgremlin · 30/04/2015 15:33

I feel from your posts that you are not convinced about A and aren't really bothered about B.

What do you personally feel about the commute? Is it manageable? Is it 30 mins standard or maximum 30 minutes on traffic? How will it fit with work/other dc?

It seems like you are leaning for C, whatever the strengths of A. Can you be sure their sen provision isn't good? Could you ring the head to discuss on an individual basis?

Original poster

hibbledibble · 30/04/2015 16:27

Soot you are right that I'm leaning towards C.

It is 30 minutes in traffic, 10 without.

Such a hard decision!

OP posts:

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