Primary schools struggle

[BhamAnon]

Hi all

Sorry as I imagine similar questions have been asked a lot.

We are currently struggling picking our first choice school with the deadline heading nearer

The obvious choice is a ten min walk, gets great KS2 results, outstanding ofsted (albeit old report but I imagine it’ll retain it). The school building is a quite old but they are going to build a new one (however this could also cause disruption if it all happens while he’s at school I imagine). I know parents with their kids there who love it. It did come across a little bit snobby.

Second is a Catholic school, and about a ten minute drive. It was outstanding ofsted but just got downgraded to good a couple of months ago (however it appears ofsted are looking to downgrade most outstanding schools , the two reasons it only got ‘good’ instead was of outstanding were not important for us). KS2 results were good but not as good as option 1. However class room sizes were a lot smaller which we liked. The teachers had a very warm and loving atmosphere to them and the school was only recently rebuilt in the last few years so very modern and impressive.

Having to drive and park for 7 years does feel like a big factor though, maybe it shouldn’t.

We’ve had a long time to decide but still not there yet , feels so hard to push the button.

What are your thoughts?

With everything else being equal, being able to walk is better.

Are you a Catholic wanting a religious education... and will you want a Catholic secondary school?

Thanks for the reply. I’m Catholic, my partner isn’t. Truth be told having a religious education isn’t a deal breaker although it’s a ‘nice to have’, and the secondary schools we would likely send him to aren’t Catholic.

I feel like the best impression we had from leaving the open days was the catholic school, but the ability to walk to school and strong KS2 results from the first option makes it the more rational choice.

The typical heart v head option

Yes agree, the catholic factor would swing it for me personally. It’s quite a big thing in a lot of catholic primaries - first communion etc. If you’re not catholic how would that all feel?

Also will you get a place?

Is it feasible to walk it - a 10-minute drive at rush hour near me would actually be a 20-25 minute walk which is doable.

Sorry x post. The walkable question is still a point tho

Thank you Clary. I do attend mass so appreciate my son not having communion and confirmation through school would be a big drawback too.

its a bit over 2 miles so quite the walk (we can drive a back way which cuts out quite a bit of traffic).

Sorry missed the point re getting a place. Yes believe we should be fine as baptised and the order of admission is based on distance to one of two parish churches (we are right next to one).

If it wasnt for the catholic issue i would say the nearest - however that sounds important to you - the KS2 results of the first school will realate a lot to the intake. I always say this but almost all primary schools are lovely places so dont stress too much

Thank you, that’s reassuring to hear.

Agree walking is a significant factor too

What do you mean by "class room sizes were a lot smaller"? The physical rooms? Or number of kids per class?

Only checking as small class sizes sounds great but means less funding available.

I would go for the local school, but then I value being able to walk, and would feel silly driving further if there is a great school nearby. If the Catholic side is very important to you, then go for it - they might not do first communion through school though, many don't.

Thank you for the reply.

The class size at the Catholic school were about 18 to a room versus 30 in a room at the first school. The physical size of the classes were about the same. The catholic school was very clean and modern which I really liked too whereas the other is outdated (but due to be knocked down and rebuilt in the next few years)

Thank you for the reply.

The class size at the Catholic school were about 18 to a room versus 30 in a room at the first school. The physical size of the classes were about the same. The catholic school was very clean and modern which I really liked too whereas the other is outdated (but due to be knocked down and rebuilt in the next few years)

Are they supposed to have 30 per class but extremely undersubscribed?

The one you can walk to. Honestly unless the school was crumbling and literally terrible in every single way I'd always go for the closest.

Fair point. They can have up to 30 a class but last year were undersubscribed. We’re quite fortunate there’s a lot of good schools in the local area, and with a declining birth rate other schools have also been undersubscribed (although not the first school which is always oversubscribed, guess a good sign)

I appreciate the bluntness, many would say the same! I do question myself on debating driving too when this school was really nice too

Its likely the Catholic school will have to start combining classes if they are consistently undersubscribed.

Interesting point.

a lot of the schools in the area were originally one form entry, then turned into two form entries several years ago. Now the birth rate is forecast to decline more I wonder if they will change back.

A school that undersubscribed will be having MASSIVE financial problems. Funding is per child, but although you might only be getting 3/5 of your full funding, you still have to heat and light the whole school and pay for a full time teacher in each class.

At that rate, the school might not survive you child’s Primary career.

That’s quite a scary thought and one I didn’t consider. Strange as we came away initially having the best impression from that school. Hopefully they’re still doing OK financially

There will be some drastic changes planned at that school unless the church is propping it up financially. 18 kids per class won’t be bringing enough funding into the school and they will be looking at restructures, redundancies, combining with other local primaries, academisation, etc. Many primaries will feel this really bite in 24/25 but it’s been coming for a few years with the falling birth rate
In your shoes I wouldn't hesitate to put the nearby, oversubscribed, school as first choice.

Walking to school is massive. Allowing older kids to gain some independence and walk with friends sets them up for high school. Having friends locally is also a bonus as they get older.

Thanks for this, it’s a fair point.

I have to admit I didn’t really think of the fact it must impact funding before your comment and the others prior. I actually liked the fact there were less kids per classroom.

maybe I should go with the safer, closer option after all

Walking is definitely a huge benefit. Friends mentioned to me also that he is more likely to have friends in the immediate vicinity at the first school which might be nice too. It’s a good point

If the local school is going to be rebuilt soon I assume it is in quite bad condition. Is it guaranteed to be rebuilt?

When looking at Primary schools for DS we chose one which had quite dilapidated buildings but HT said they were applying for new buildings. These new buildings arrived when DS was in Y6!

Schools with class sizes of 18 are in an horrendous place in respect of budget, classes slightly too large to merge easily but schools are getting a third less funding than they would if full.

Thanks for the reply (I like your username - very apt!)

it was quite old school and not really what I expected for the reputation of the school. They have received government funding to rebuild it, but a governor was quite sheepish about it when I asked during the open day. I read a recent newsletter that says they are having 6 meetings with the building contractors in the new year, but who knows, these things can get delayed massively as you have experienced

quite a sad thought about funding for the other school , just because the whole building and facility was so modern and impressive I didn’t really think about it