Choosing a school. SHouldnt it be a decision made by a grown up and not by me!

[mrspink27]

Been looking at prospectus after prospectus, have done countless visits and open days and just feel completely daunted and overwhelmed by making the right decision about which school to choose.

Just wondered if there was anyone else in the same boat?

? Is it a school for yourself then???

No LOL sorry should have made that clear!!!

a school for my dds!

OOh just had scary flashback about having to go to school!!!!

all local state schools, and most of local independents.

Ok, so you are not a grown up - i know the feeling!

I was chatting to someone at work the other day, and said something sensible and then i went " ooh that makes me sound like a mum" And then my face went when i remembered i have been a mum for three years!

SHould say that if we choose Burgess Hill it will mean a 40 minute journey so is at the outer limits of possibility, but feel like i owe it to the dds to do the legwork and make the right choice. Especially as my mother made such a monumental **up of my secondary education!

Although this is for dd1 to start in reception in September... have adopted a bit of a head in the sand approach really!

Is that Brighton area? We are 40 minutes north of Burgess Hill.

Trouble is ... I think what I am looking for probably doesnt exist! And what one school lacks another school has but lacks in other areas... and I know its all about compromise and best fit... but that doesnt make it any easier!

I just wish I could be like a friend of mine who has a very simplistic view about schooling i.e. my dh went to this primary and this secondary and so will our children. Job done.

dd1 is at a great montessori school which does go up to 11 BUT dh and i have reservations about leaving her there until then, long story really, but its a small school with some 'alternative' parents and i am not sure how dd will integrate back into normal school and whether it will suit her needs long term as she appears to be very bright. This is even more of a responsibility and an added pressure to get it right, especially as she is so motivated where she is and loves it there.

even though i've heard a lot of negs about Montessori-educated kids (esp. find it diff. to go into conventional secondary), I think I'd leave her there as late as possible if she's happy & learning well. Those things sound priceless.

There is a lot of great stuff which happens at her school, but realistically the writing is not up to conventional state school levels, and probably the maths. Especially when I compare my niece's school work and that of the oldest children at the montessori. Another dilemma if we leave her there is at what point she transfers into 'conventional' education so that she isnt disadvantaged and has to catch up.

Thanks Hausfrau, glad i am not alone!

mrspink27-are you forest row type area, if so have you looked at Great walstead, much easier to get to in mornings than Burgess Hill, lots of parents that way too.

miggy f. row ish, next big town up E.G. where are you?
someone I know had a ds who went to Gt Walstead, dont know much about it other than it has an excellent record for SEN, been talking with dh and in laws today and basically think we need to widen our search north and east particularly as i am prepared to do the 40 minute commute.

Just looked at the GT Walstead website and remembered that we have looked at a prospectus and were a bit put off by the heavy use of 'christian', 'chapel' and 'spiritual'. Think its me kicking against SUnday school every week for the formative years of my childhood!

yes I know what you mean, we actually didnt realise till after we had sent our kids there (how much thought did we put in :o )but it isnt really a problem, lots of non religous parents like us too. The nice thing about the christian bit is that they are really hot on moral values etc and I think produce nice rounded children. Wouldnt be much good if you were fervently anti religion though!
Was just thinking that would be sort of a good follow on from your montessori bits that you have liked, very into outdoor activities in the woods (nothing shady!) but whole school from nursery up is out there everyday, and as kids get older they build camps and even have sleepovers in the woods, very character building in a montessori/steiner sort of way but they have proper lessons as well!
We are in Chailey btw

hi mrspink i am in similar(ish) area as you although don't have kids of school age yet!

I used to work as a mother's help for a family whose boys go to great walstead and i have to say it does seem a really lovely school.
but yes, it IS christian and there are prayers and chapel etc etc

what about tavistock and summerhill? that's non-denominational... i'd send ds there if i could afford it!

oh and bear in mind re commute, lots of schools have staggered pick up times eg GW is 3.30 till yr 3 then 4.30, so as your girls get older, you might have to hang around between times as too far to go there and back, just something to think about and ask at schools.

Miggy I am sooo glad i wasnt rude about GW! I have soooo reached my emotional and intellectual maximum about all this school business!Want to talk to as many people as possible as i dont have a supportive mother to discuss with, and my in laws have very traditional public school ideas. Just been searching and have found half a dozen schools further afield to call tomorrow.

Starlover where are u? Tavistock and Summerhill dont have a www, so will have to phone for a prospectus.