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Original poster

Is it very important for children to go to a good primary school?

116 replies

LucyJones · 29/08/2007 21:30

Or will they thrive whereever they go?
We live near a pretty bad school. We want to move to a better one but can't really afford to.
Dh told me last night he is beating himself up over it. He feels he has a duty to get them into the best primary scholl possible as it will have an impact on the rest of their lives. Is he completely overeacting or do we need to bust a gut to get the dcs into a good primary school rather than an average or below average one?

OP posts:
pyjamaqueen · 29/08/2007 21:31

Yes, think you should bust a gut.

Original poster
LucyJones · 29/08/2007 21:35

really? so you'd move heaven and earth to get them into a good primary school?

OP posts:
nell12 · 29/08/2007 21:35

I think the key word here is thrive

A good primary school is one where a child is allowed to develop socially, emotionally and academically. Is the school bad because it has bad results? has a poor catchment area? has poor behaviour?

Primary school is the catylist... if a child has a positive experience then he is far more likely to have a positive attitude toward learning and thus do well.

mummymagic · 29/08/2007 21:35

In what way is it bad?

For me, I don't care what their results are but I would be concerned about an unsafe environment, complacent/bored/fed-up teachers etc.

nell12 · 29/08/2007 21:35

So yes, bust a gut to get them into the right primary school

spudmasher · 29/08/2007 21:36

90% parents 10% school.

Hulababy · 29/08/2007 21:36

I personally think primary schools is even more important than secondary for some children.

professorplum · 29/08/2007 21:37

What do you mean by 'pretty bad school'

If there are dicipline problems or violence or drugs then I would move heaven and earth to get them into somewhere else.

fawkeoff · 29/08/2007 21:38

can i jus say that i dont pay for dd to do to a great school i send her to a state one....it is one of the best in the uk, but regard to that she is happy and has come on leaps and bounds.It's your decision at the end of the day but why dont you look at the ofsted reports online of your local schools, you'll get a better idea then

pyjamaqueen · 29/08/2007 21:38

I think it's important to fire up their enthusiasm and work ethic from a young age. If they have a bad time at primary school they're not likely to be interested in learning further down the line.

Having said that, all they really need from primary school is to be happy and to learn to read and write.

UnquietDad · 29/08/2007 21:38

Has your eldest child started at the school yet and are they happy?

Original poster
LucyJones · 29/08/2007 21:39

well the Ofsted report isn't very good.
The area isn't great - large council estate, the school and the estate have a bad reputation.
There is a better school but I think we live too far away to be guareanteed to get in.if we move we'll have a massive mortgage and the quality of life will be worse.
So if we got them into a better school there wouldn't be the money for outside school activities.
So hard to know what to do for the best..

OP posts:
Reallytired · 29/08/2007 21:39

Its everything. If a child can't learn to read and write they have no hope.

However it depends what the definition of a bad primary school. (Ie. is it that the kids are a bit rough or does have a really bad OFSTED report?)

Most parents have some degree of choice which school their children go to.

Also as parents you have a HUGE influence on the education of your children. Far more than any teacher.

My son attends a fairly rough school which is lagging in the league tables. He is doing really well. The teachers at his school are hard working and very committed. OFSTED were also impressed with my son's school.

Sometimes you have to look beyond the league tables and visit the school to see what its like.

rantinghousewife · 29/08/2007 21:40

Agree with spudmasher, I think it's up to the parents to take some responsibility for motivating their children when it comes to schools. If the school's safe to go to, it's probably ok. My sons middle school did not have the best rep when he first went there but we sent him anyway and I've never had cause for complaint. He positively thrived there and he scores well above average for all of his core subjects.

Original poster
LucyJones · 29/08/2007 21:40

yes, i've already looked at the Ofsted report, that's how I know it'snot a very good school.
No children at schoo, yet, hence the cluelessness of my posts

OP posts:
spudmasher · 29/08/2007 21:40

Excellent post Reallytired. You can't be that tired......

Original poster
LucyJones · 29/08/2007 21:41

we are in a grammar school area and this school I'm talking about doesn't have many pupils who get into the grammar school

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Original poster
LucyJones · 29/08/2007 21:42

reallytired - it sounds similar to the school youtr ds goes too.
A new headmaster is apparently turning things around but still the results are below average.

OP posts:
pyjamaqueen · 29/08/2007 21:43

Ah, Lucy, that's a whole other thread! If you need them to get into grammar school, then you must get them into a school that regularly prepares children for that. (Of course your child could be the exception, or you could spend money on tutoring, but it's better if the primary school is regularly getting children through the 11+)

mummymagic · 29/08/2007 21:43

agree with spudmasher and reallytired.

go and visit. talk to the teachers - imo teachers at the 'toughest' schools are often the most hardworking, committed and creative teachers.

forget about ofsted (the newest inspections are ridiculous). use your own instinct and judgement.

nell12 · 29/08/2007 21:45

If the area is not great, I can guarantee that quite alot of the school's problems stem from lack of support at home;
Home reading not done
Parent Evenings have poor attendance
Don't even think about homework!!!

If you are the type of parent who is willing to support your child throughout school (and by the sounds of it you are ) then there is no reason why your child cant be one of the ones who ends up at the grammar school!

The question is, do you think your child would be happy there????????

Original poster
LucyJones · 29/08/2007 21:47

Well ds is due to start school a year tis September so we haven't been looking round schools yet. I thought it was too earlier as we don't apply until January I think it is.

But if we want to move house to a better school we need to get moving on that now.

Gah, I'm so confused.

OP posts:
Original poster
LucyJones · 29/08/2007 21:48

I only know the reputaton of schools through things I've heard from parents of children there and Ofsted reports

OP posts:
spudmasher · 29/08/2007 21:50

You need to go and visit all the local schools Lucyjones.
A school that looks bad on paper can sometimes be great in the flesh.

Original poster
LucyJones · 29/08/2007 21:52

when do I go and see them then? Do they contact me around the time of applying?

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