To send my daughter to a less academically good school further away?

[IsadoraMoon81]

Our local school gets amazing results but is tiny, overcrowded and literally falling down with absolutely zero sports facilities. The school a couple of miles away seems friendly has loads of outdoor space, great sporting offer and a nice open airy feel, the local school is very affluent, the one further away definitely has a more mixed intake, with a higher proportion of kids on free school meals, more persistent absence, generally worse results etc (but definitely on the up!)

DD and I both preferred the feel of the further away option when we looked round but I'm worried as DD is quite quiet won't know a soul if she goes there (most of her friends are going to the local school) AND it's going to feel a very long cycle on a cold wet day! Am I crazy to be considering this? For medical reasons to do with her eyes, it's been recommended that my daughter spend two hours a day outside and it feels like it will be easier to achieve this at the school which is further away, however most people look like I'm insane when I say we're considering the further away option, am I?

In all honesty, I’d send her to the local school with the better results. Ultimately, however dilapidated it might be, that’s what matters. It’s also convenient and from what you’ve said, where people she knows will be going. And travelling to a school that’s further afield, will become a massive chore with no real upside.

Is she very sporty and outdoorsy? Unless the addition sports facilities will be of great benefit to her. Then I'd go with the good results local school. Also do you genuinely want her cycling further alone?

Yes I'd also go with the better performing school. You can access sports outside school and those will probably be as good or better quality as the further away school. The longer bike ride will be a complete pain November to February. Honestly, I can't see why you'd go for the farther away school.