Would you consider moving your DC to a school with lots of vacancies?

[kid]

I am in two minds about moving my children to a different school. I have thought about it but there would be complications involved, mainly work related ones.
One of the schools I would consider seems to have had lots of vacancies suddenly come up. Do you think thats a sign of it being a bad or not so good school? (Its Grasemere incase anyone knows it)
The other school I have heard nothing but good reports on, but I don't expect there to be any spaces, I can only try though.

Have you looked at the ofsted report for the school with lots of vacancies?

I have no idea about the particular school in question - but all the (very good) primaries round us have vacancies due to falling rolls purely because or demographics.....

I was just looking at it, but its from 2003 so they will be due a new one soon. Alot can change during that time too, especially if there has been a big change over in staffing (not sure if there has been)

Maybe I should stick with the school they are in at the moment. I just don't know what to do for the best.

Grasmere still popular AFAIK, kid, but they have had a change of head, and maybe are suffering from the greater popularity of BL school nearby?

That is a very long time since the last ofsted!!! What about staff turnover?

Have you been to the school to have a look round yet kid? I always think that is the best thing to do.

Schools have falling rolls for a whole range of reasons.

Go and have a look at the school yourelf. dont make an appointment - just turn up. they may not want you to look around at that time but you'll still get a feel for how friendly the place is. falling rolls can be for all kinds of reasons. falling rolls doesn't mean crap school.

I know a few children that have recently joined that school, but I think those parents will be biased and say how great it is there.

Anything wrong with their current school? Are they happy there?

DD wants to leave because all her friends are leaving. She is not making progress and nothing is being done about this.
DS is happy to stay but I am a bit concerned about certain children and issues in his current class.

mmm, it sounds as if you need to investigate properly the other school, stand at the school gate, interrogate teachers, other parents, etc. It's hard...

One of the schools I know as its near to my house and I have done training myself at that school so have a good feel about it. My problem is that I very much doubt there will be any vacancies there. I can only try though.

I was speaking to one of the teachers today at DCs school and there are plans in place that will ensure children not making progress are identified and put on intervention programs. Thats what I want, I don't expect miracles for my DD but I do want to see evidence of something being done. Its been a frustrating couple of years.