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Original poster

Why has the whole school thing turned me into a judgemental maniac? It's costing me a fortune in wine!!!

35 replies

ediemay · 06/09/2006 22:37

Moved here because we liked the area, close to work etc and has a good, friendly local school. So, now that reality is looming (LEA deadlines for reception intake in 2007) why have I become a crazed, drooling halfwit who feels the need to visit every school in the county and worry endlessly about the whole effing thing??? The only thing keeping me sane is WINE. So - do I choose good, friendly local school or ten minutes' drive away school with better academic achievement?AAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

OP posts:
hulababy · 06/09/2006 22:39

We went with the school that we got the best "feel" or vibe when we went round ont he day.

expatinscotland · 06/09/2006 22:40

It is because: 1) you are British 2) you are a mum who cares.

I would chose: good, friendly school.

But I am one who thinks 'achievement' is entirely what you define it as.

ScummyMummy · 06/09/2006 22:40

Good, friendly local school.

Chill and drink wine.

Judy1234 · 06/09/2006 22:45

10 miutes away. My daughter who just graduated got a school coach at 5. It took 60 minutes door to door each way. Did her no harm at all. But you have to take a decision you're happy with. No one can decide for you.

Original poster
ediemay · 06/09/2006 22:52

Thanks, wise women. Expat, you made me laugh. Strangely, I went to an American school as a child (which rescued me from shyness forever) but yes I am a Brit and I agree with you about achievement. I wish there was a league table for "% of children who were kind to each other or comforted a crying child in the playground". Oh Lord, the WINE is kicking in.........

oh and Option 3 - the very small but incredibly inclusive and arty school

AAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

OP posts:
mazzystar · 06/09/2006 23:01

you know what, it sounds like they are all good choices, so relax.

go and see which one you like the best. trust your instincts.

for me, its important that my child can walk to school - for reasons of health, environmental, friendships as well as convenience.

Original poster
ediemay · 06/09/2006 23:37

me too, mazzy and we can walk to the local school in 5 minutes
Also, the local school has the best reception class - the other 2 are better in the 'junior' years

OP posts:
Hallgerda · 07/09/2006 07:30

Local school, as you shouldn't drink and drive

shazronnieWEARINGSHOES · 07/09/2006 08:00

lol haggerda!

shazronnieWEARINGSHOES · 07/09/2006 08:01

sorry - hallgerda!

threebob · 07/09/2006 08:10

Ds doesn't have a choice - and I kind of like that. No point getting stressed, just buy him a uniform for the one we are zoned for and send him off on his 5th birthday.

Beetroot · 07/09/2006 08:12

local school. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to walk to school

fennel · 07/09/2006 09:52

it is a nightmare isn't it? we have moved twice in the last year and suddenly are faced with your choice backwards - the dds are 6 and 5, in a lovely school 1.5 miles away from our new (permanent) house. they only started at that school in March (we moved and rented for a while and had to choose a school at that point). we'd thought they could cycle from the new house but there's one appalling junction so it looks like

a) keep them in lovely school they've only just settled into but will be a 15 min drive (or 15 min death defying cycle ride which makes me feel sick at the thought of my babies doing it)

b) swap them a second time in a year to little village school, not as good a school but very close by.

sorry to thread-hijack but which should we do? anyone?

and the irony is we love the first school cos it's an eco-school. but would have to drive to get there. and we really hate car commuting.

MrsFio · 07/09/2006 10:03

another vote for the friendly local school

Blu · 07/09/2006 10:03

We are moving house - at great expense and angst - in order to change our current 10 min drive for a two min walk!

After two terms, we think it will make such a difference to quality of life for all of us to have DS in the thick of his friends. There are loads of Mums asking DS to go home and play after school - fab for working parents like us, and lots of children wanting to come round at w/e (when we can recprocate) - great for Ds who is an only child. And I hate being part of the fume-ridden scrum for parking places on the school road.

It spunds as if you have 3 good choices, though - so you can't go wrong! I would go for small, inclusive and arty...but that's me!

TinyGang · 07/09/2006 10:09

Local school is good because the child can make friends and join in with things easily.

I really think with reception and infant school, I wouldn't get into the academic achievement side of things so much at this stage but rather how happy your child will be and how it all fits into your lives.

Unless of course the local school is totally totally dire; but you say it's a good one. Walking to school is nice if it's possible

TinyGang · 07/09/2006 10:11

..I still drink wine though

snorkle · 07/09/2006 11:13

Message withdrawn

yeahinaminute · 07/09/2006 11:28

Local school deffo
The most important education for a child at this age is interaction with their peers, playing and learning to be sociable happy little beasts ... the academic stuff should come later.IMHO
DD is going to the local village school next year (much to my mums disappointment - we were privately educated !)- we can walk there - all her pals live near - playtime gets extended in the evening without having to get the bleedin' car out and drive for ever to collect or return stray children!!

Twiglett · 07/09/2006 11:29

Good friendly local school

fennel · 07/09/2006 11:32

Snorkle, yes it's the moving them for the second time in a year which makes it particularly hard to do, they've already had to make new friends in a new school once this year.

also the village school is small and dd1 and dd2 (17 months apart in age) will be in the same class for some of their time. I worry about that, especially as dd2 has about caught up with dd1 academically and is likely to overtake her soon. that might not be fun if they're in the same class.

Jimjams2 · 07/09/2006 11:49

I'd look at all 3 and just choose the one I liked- but I wouldn't analyse why I liked them or go by ofsted resports or league tables or anything, I just go by the feel of the place.

Reet · 07/09/2006 12:21

I used to worry which was the best school. My kids used to go to an independent/private school, but I have moved them to state school, and they are much happier. I just chose local schools because, as it's somewhere you're travelling to 5 days a week, the nearer the better! I can't stand the stress of the school run!

Reet

www.chilledparent.com

motherinferior · 07/09/2006 16:47

Like Blu, we're planning to move even closer to DD1's school (mind you I have a three year old as well, so it's what you might call a long-term relationship, us and the school). Fennel, that one is a SOD. I shall ponder it. You poooor love.

ScummyMummy · 07/09/2006 17:07

Oh fennel- that sounds like a bugger of a decision. But personally I know what I'd do... I would absolutely, definitely, utterly NOT go for the school where they'd be in the same class if there is any possibility of dd2 getting even somewhat near dd1 academically, let alone overtaking her. I really think that would be a disaster for dd1's self esteem. And if dd1's self esteem is crushed how will she become a successful eco warrior when she grows up? So I would keep them where they are, myself. I suppose there are no pavements they can cycle on, are there? (No pavements is my pet peeve about the country!) Or can you afford an electric car?