Big school versus small school

[susan198130]

I have 2 sons, aged 7 and 8, and we are moving to a different county, so they will need to change schools. My 7 year old is in year 2 and 8 year old is in year 4. The school they currently go to is really small, 30 kids per year.

So now we're moving, I'm looking at primary schools for them. I'm not so concerned with my 7 year old as he seems to make friends very easily and is quite a confident boy, but my 8 year old really struggles to make friends. Up until recently, he didn't have any friends at school, but more because of him than the other kids. The other kids all seem to like him, but he just seems to often prefer being on his own, up until typically going back to school in September where he's now made a couple of friends.

So moving him to another school, do you think it would be better for me to look for a school that is a similar size to the one they already go to or to a bigger one? The closest school is at least double the size of the one they're at now, and I'm a bit torn. Torn between more kids, more chance of finding other kids that he gets on well with, or smaller school and it being what he's used to. Any advice?

The first two schools mine attend were tiny (class sizes rarely rising above 20, barely 100 children in the school). Now at a standard sized, 2 class entry Primary. I was a bit worried about my shy DD, but it hasn't really mattered. They still do the majority of stuff in their form group anyway (everything at the moment, they can only communicate with the other half of the year across a barrier in the playground!). There a wider range of activities, but you are less likely to get a place on them.

2 class entry is still small (I know of Primaries with 5 or 6 class entry!)

Oh wow, where I live currently, I think the biggest school takes 60 kids per year group.

Actually, that's another question - although I'd obviously check with whatever school I choose - when you have primary schools that have more than one class per year, do the kids stay with the same children in their class each year or do they mix them up?

Mine went to a 3 form entry and it was fine. Definite advantages of a larger school in that they could afford things like a specialist music teacher for the whole school, and lots of TAs. In terms of organisation KS1 and KS2 had separate playgrounds. Reception had their own area entirely and a separate dining area. So whilst it was a a big school, the kids weren't often in the situation of being part of the whole school.

I also think it's an advantage when they go to secondary school - our local one was an 11 form entry. Really overwhelming for those that had been in a single form entry primary.

I would advise looking at how the schools are set up in terms of how the different key stages are managed.

In terms of friendship, I think most things are done in their forms, so apart from break times, the opportunity for friendship still comes from within their own class (especially under current restrictions).

I think it depends on the school... My DDs are in completely different classes to last year.

Actually, that's another question - although I'd obviously check with whatever school I choose - when you have primary schools that have more than one class per year, do the kids stay with the same children in their class each year or do they mix them up?

Mine stayed in the same class throughout, but I think it varies from school to school.

Thanks for the replies. This is something I've thought about, it will be an easier transition from primary to secondary, and the closest school to the house we're buying has a secondary attached, so I'm guessing most children will just move up to that secondary school which will make it less daunting.