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Education

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Original poster

Advice re which school

12 replies

Bella1905 · 15/01/2025 17:53

Hi all, I'd really appreciate some advice. We didn't get our first choice of school for our 4.5 year old daughter and she is now in reception at our second choice. She is a very quiet child when in large groups and in her class although she has loosely made a few friends (but totally fine and confident at home). We have been very happy with the school she is at (second choice) and she seems to enjoy it. However we have received a call to say a place has become available for her at our first choice if we want it, which is closer to us and an easier commute, and also has higher results. I don't want to unsettle her by moving her, but equally want to do the best thing for her in the long run, and also for her younger sibling when they start school as they would be guaranteed a place. What would others recommend we do please? Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

Bella1905 · 15/01/2025 17:55

Sorry, I forgot to mention in case it makes any difference, her current school is two form entry, but the 1st choice school is 1 form entry.

OP posts:

TwentyTwentyFive · 15/01/2025 17:59

Honestly I'd leave her at the two form entry school. One form entry risks you getting a group of children who don't get on and have nowhere to escape to and whilst lovely at 4 and 5 one form entry schools can very quickly become claustrophobic as the child gets older.

If she's happy and doing well I would personally leave her where she is.

LIZS · 15/01/2025 18:00

She has long time ahead at primary, and is only a term in. Move her if it is more convenient and better suited to her longer term.

Halfemptyhalfling · 15/01/2025 18:00

I would move her as you don't want two school runs. Although I would double check if you know anyone with DC at the school just in case of unknown problems. You might well need to be proactive with playdates and check how things are going with the teacher.

Pointpoint · 15/01/2025 18:03

Regardless of class sizes etc what’s your gut feeling about the schools? The main thing with primary school is they are happy and learn social skills. You as a parent you can help with academic skills at this age. A happy child is a better learner.

Is the first pick school walkable where the other one you have to drive? Is the current school full, have a two form entry but 20 in each class could be better than 1 full class of 30.

BarbaraHoward · 15/01/2025 18:12

How much easier is the easier commute? You have another 6.5 years of school runs, and longer if there are younger siblings. That would tempt me.

At the same time I don't know that I could uproot a happy child...

I'm no good to you!

Original poster

Bella1905 · 15/01/2025 21:11

Thanks all. Our current commute is about 25 mins walk each way, but the 1st choice commute is 13 mins each way.

OP posts:

BarbaraHoward · 15/01/2025 21:46

If both are walking distance then that wouldn't be a factor for me personally, and not wanting to uproot her would be the deciding factor.

FloralGums · 15/01/2025 22:17

I would definitely leave a shy child in the bigger school - she is more likely to find her tribe/make a friend.

Original poster

Bella1905 · 16/01/2025 06:26

Thanks all. Really appreciate your thoughts. My heart says keep her where she is as I hate the thought of unsettling and upsetting her. But then my head says otherwise and I worry we are doing her and her younger sibling a disservice and not doing the best thing for them in the longer run if we don't go with the school with better results. There would still be 30 in her class so I think perhaps that still gives her enough options re friends and finding her tribe. Thank you.

OP posts:

GrazeConcern · 16/01/2025 06:28

When you say better results how much better? And is there an intake difference? So often results have so little to do with the school and everything to do with the catchment intake (sad but true).

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 16/01/2025 06:50

How much do the two classes interact? Do they mix them up at all further on in the school? No point in being in a two class entry if they mainly just mix with their own class. A term in and it probably won't disrupt friendships too much. We moved one of ours in yr1. Was fairly happy in existing school (moved for other reasons) but then really thrived in a new school.

I would talk to others with a child in that class to check there don't seem to be lots of issues. See if she can go for an afternoon taster session. Consider how over subscribed the current school is. Could you go back if it really isn't working after a year or so?

To be honest though I would probably move her unless there are big flags. Local friends, quicker commute, when older they can walk it themselves, if you go back to work you can more easily walk them to school and get back for 9am if wfh. Likewise at pick up time.

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