Hi there,
I really need some other people's advice on this one - going round and round in circles in my mind.
To cut a long story short, my 6 year old boy is a sensitive soul. He absolutely hated the private pre-prep we put it in and still has nightmares about the place even though he left over a year ago. We took him out and put him in a state school which he absolutely adored. The children and staff were so friendly unlike the private school which he claimed was unfriendly, gloomy and dark. Unfortunately, we had to leave the school he loved as we were given an opportunity in the Netherlands which we would have been mad to have turned down. Some will probably think that is selfish but that is another story and we had to come over here for several good reasons for our family.
My little boy has made me promise that any school he goes to now is "bright, cheeful and where everyone is friendly". We looked at one school and it was very much like his hated school in appearance - small, victorian building, dark. My son immediately said he didn't want to go there. So, we looked at another school which would entail a 1 and a half hour commute for my husband instead of 20 minutes. We also don't like the city half as much as where we are. BUT: my son loved the school. It is bright, cheerful, nice and airy, huge grassy woods and playgrounds. He immediately wanted to go there. We are trying hard to find a house to rent over there so he can go to the school he likes. Apart from the long commute and the fact we don't like the area as much, I also revisited the school yesterday for a second time. This time I took note of the teachers who would probably be teaching him and they just were not so warm. One teacher told us it wasn't a good time to speak to us. The Head was also not so warm but ok. The playground was amazing as before and the building was beautiful. Today, we revisited the first school where we live. This time, we liked it a lot more. The place is quite dark and very small and the playground is pretty non-existent. My son loved playing in his old playground in the woods and I know this is one of the major things he likes about the other school. BUT, I really liked the teachers in his year - they were so friendly. The Head was also wonderful with my son, so kind to him and really looked after him during our tour.
I am now so confused as to which school to go to. Should we move to an area that we don't like so much, triples my husband's commute to work - but has a school which my little boy likes. He said this school has a happiness factor of 7, but the other school only seems to be about 5. But he didn't notice the coldness of two teachers (albeit in an overall very friendly school). This school also has the huge range of resources and great playground. Or should we go to the school which looks so like the one he hates, is so small and has no playground really. BUT where the teachers in his year and the Head seem lovely - perhaps it is a different school to the one he hated even though in looks it seems so similar? We would also be able to stay in the area we are in at the moment.
Moving is no problem as we are only in a short-term apartment whilst we sort this one out.
Tonight, when I put my son to bed he said he found the school today a bit gloomy and really liked the other brighter one. But surely it is the teacher and Head that make a school more happy and bright/not the building?
Thank you for letting me brainstorm my thoughts. I would so appreciate any opinions on what you would do.