Looking for advice about secondary school choice. In particular, how much did you let your DC have a say? We are lucky enough to have a lot of choice of Ofsted good schools in our area, and be in the (tiny) catchment area of a nationally recognised outstanding secondary. This school has a reputation for great results but also as a bit of a “hot house” exam factory type atmosphere. We’ve visited several open days.
Our DS is pretty academic (last year’s teacher put him in his top 3-5 of the class) but also a sensitive soul. He enjoyed the open days at the other local “good” rated schools as they gave him individual attention (this effort was not necessary at the oversubscribed outstanding school) and therefore had a more personal feel. However, 2 of these would require a bus ride and the 3rd is a 25 minute walk. The outstanding school is about a 10-15 minute walk. Also his possibly preferred school is all boys, which I’m not too keen on, having gone to a single sex school myself from 11-16.
As far as friendships go, DS has (rather coldly!) said he will make new friends. He’s in a close trio at school. One of these friends is planning to go to one of the good schools (his brother is there already, happy) and the other friend’s mum is torn between that one and the outstanding.
I’m keen to choose the outstanding school in part because if we “get it wrong” and DS wants to change schools it would be almost impossible to change INTO to the oversubscribed one at a later date, but easier to get him out of there and into one of the other local “goods”. Obviously it would be much less disruptive to get the choice right first time.
Several people have told me to go on gut instinct, but what if you disagree with your DC’s gut instinct? They are the ones who will attend the place every day. But they also lack a parent’s experience in weighing everything up.
People have also said not too worry too much, a DC like ours (motivated, supported at home etc) will do well anywhere. But of course it helps to have a school that will support this achievement.
Anyone had a similar dilemma? Any advice. Thanks in advance! I was expecting this to be so stressful!