Deciding on a school

[MrsSmiththethird]

Exactly that really - how did you decide on a school for DC?

We live in a village with three schools in walking distance, other schools accessible by bus (I don’t drive). Two outstanding with Ofsted and one Good but none of the inspections were particularly recent.

We have DSS twice a week and I take him to school as DH works shifts (this is absolutely fine with DSS’s Mum and has been mutually agreed by all before anyone jumps on my DH for leaving me responsible for his son!) so it would make sense for my DC to go to that school too. The problem is, neither myself or DH are particularly thrilled with how DSS’s school have managed things in the past with DSS but am I making things difficult for myself having two school runs?

DC and DSS would be in the same school for 3 years if DS started there.

It might be quite difficult (I don't know the logistics) but I wouldn't send my eldest dc to a school I didn't feel comfortable with, before they had even started. I would put the school I felt would suit them best, as my first choice.
The logistics can be worked out afterwards, but make the best choice for your dc.

Choose a school that feels right for you. Ofsted really doesn’t mean much by itself (the school we choose recently was given a ‘requires improvement’ which was purely down to testing, they admit they reach very holistically and not to testing). It’s a fantastic school and we’ve been so happy with it.

Ultimately, your DSS’s school transport can be worked out between his parents. He can take the bus, as many children do, or you dh or his mum can adjust their schedules to do the school run themselves. I’d choose a school you’re happy with.