Hi, I'm looking for some local help/advice please.. we exchange on our house after long delays on 31st July, so I can finally apply for a school place for my 5 year old daughter then.
When we first thought about applying at the start of the year, her catchment school was by far the best option, which is The Rackham in Witchford. But now after this delay a place has come up for her year at Ely St John's, which I know is one of the best schools in Ely. We will live in a different village in between Witchford and Ely.
There is a lot to weigh up here- both are a similar drive away, both seem to be good schools with different strengths. Most kids in our village will be at The Rackham but it is a tiny village so probably only a handful and I suspect she would make friends with any around her age regardless as it has a nice community.
However, Ely College is doing far better than Witchford VC at the moment and one of their admission criteria is coming from a catchment school so St John's would give her a better chance of getting in there down the line. Although no guarantees.
The other consideration is our son who is 2 may not get into Ely St John's when his time comes and that would be very difficult especially if one is in a village and one is in town.
If anyone has any local insight into either school I would be very grateful. Obviously we want to place her in the school she will be happiest in and be around nice kids. Dd hasn't been back to school since March and I think this transition will be huge for her.
We just want to do the best thing for our kids and the weight of this is so heavy.
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