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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To prioritise happiness over education?

185 replies

Vanillafox · 14/07/2016 20:00

My DD didn't get into our first choice primary school. It's an outstanding school, great technology, very sought after. Instead she was offered a place at the school where she goes to nursery. This school is OK. It's too religious for my liking (as an atheist) and has an average academic record, high percentage of SEN. She will be in a classroom shared with 59 other children! It's 5 mins from my door though so convenient. To cut a long story short, DD is super excited about starting there. Her best friend from nursery is going, she knows the teachers and the environment. She's had a trial day that she loved and her teacher did a home visit and seemed great. DD can't wait for Sept.

This morning we got a call from our first choice school offering DD a place. We only have 4 days to make up our minds. It's further away, she'll know no-one and is an unfamiliar environment. But as I mentioned, it's a far better school with far more opportunities.

My DH thinks it's a no-brainier and that her education should take priority. He says she'll get over leaving her friends quickly. I'm not so sure. I think she'll be heartbroken and may struggle to settle at the new school.

What would you do?!!! I'm completely 50/50 and would love to hear your views...

OP posts:
FrancesHaHa · 20/07/2016 14:53

Great outcome!

My DD started reception last year not knowing any other children (nursery was quite far away) and she's absolutely thrived. She made friends quickly, and we also still meet up regularly with nursery friends.

You've got the whole summer to build on her enthusiasm for her new school.

Vanillafox · 20/07/2016 14:55

I took her to nursery yesterday and she said "I don't want to go here, I want to go to that new school!" which made me laugh after all the hand-wringing I'd experienced (self-inflicted of course)

OP posts:
ppeatfruit · 20/07/2016 16:40

I hope she'll be very happy there Vanilla Thanks for the update Grin

KindDogsTail · 20/07/2016 17:15

That is good news Vanilla. I hope she will go on to be very happy there next term.

Idliketobeabutterfly · 20/07/2016 17:18

I'd go with the other school as I don't think you'll have much fun as an atheist in a religious school.

HPandBaconSandwiches · 20/07/2016 19:00

Great news OP, I'm sure she'll love her new school.

nennyrainbow · 21/07/2016 10:47

Thanks for updating us. I checked back to see what the outcome was. Glad you are happy with your choice.

summerainbow · 22/07/2016 19:01

Glad you have made a choice . And that you are all happy with it .

placingrequest · 22/07/2016 19:12

Phew! VanillaFox thanks for getting back to the thread. Your DD sounds like she'll be very happy - I'm so glad it has worked out for you all Smile You should copy and save this thread so you can show her how you much you agonised over her future (show it to her when she's a teenager!)

Propertyquandry · 22/07/2016 19:12

I'm not sure why so many posters are disbelieving there's 59 children in the class. 59 is perfectly legal if there's 2 qualified teachers in there. And quite a few 1970s build schools have open plan classrooms so it could be the size of two classrooms but completely open with perhaps 2 teachers and 2 TAs. This is far more unusual these days but certainly not unheard of so its ridiculous to suggest the op is lying about that.

Op, I'd go with your DH. Your DD will have forgotten the nursery class by the first Friday.

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