1 mile walk to primary school (London)

[Spideryplant]

School A
3 form entry
Very highly regarded by parents
Montessori based in years R and 1
School values are curiosity, confidence, involvement and independence
Most children live on one estate, we're in a different area (probably still within the admissions area due to large and strangely shaped parks around the estate where the school is based)
1 mile walk or could get the bus (we don't have a car, and car drops aren't allowed anyway)

School B
6 form entry
Academy run
Mixed views by parents: seen as very strict and not always the best pastoral care. Lots of homework
Very hot on phonics from the start, ethos is "get your work done and then you can go and play"
School values are Care, Courtesy, Commitment Consideration, Co-operation
10 min walk and this is where most of the children on our street will go

Both get excellent results, and are rated excellent by Ofsted (although haven't actually been inspected for years)

Daughter seems bright from what we can tell, but is young in her year so might struggle socially.

Wdyt?

How does the six class entry organise itself? Is it split in half for example, (so a school play is just 90 kids, or will they do it with 180? Sports teams?)

On the face of it thr smaller school bu I haven't seen them. 1 mile is nothing in most of the country... however it is loads in most of London so could you really get in? Nothing lost in trying though

6 form entry? Is that right. Would be a huge school.

School B for me.

@PuttingDownRoots good question about the organisation - I have no idea!

We could definitely have got in last year, but it's tight so not guaranteed.

I 100% prefer school A, but don't know if it's worth being further from her friends.

1 mile walk is fine, its 15mins! Get thrm on a bike or a scooter.
I would avoid a 6 form entry primary school, thats way too big imo, 3 form seems too huge as well but if those are only 3 options

i was all set to say the closest school but 6 form entry, hell no!!!

Arg, just checked and school B is actually 4 forms - doh!

Another relevant factor is that DD is an only child so friends/playdates are very important to us

1 mile isn't that far, even with reception child. We walk/scoot 1.2 miles. They'll get used to it.

School A, a mile is nothing, most kids walk further than that to school.

I'd put School A down as first preference, without hesitation. If School B is acceptable to you, it's good to have a fallback option you could live with if you don't get an offer of a place at A.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g even though it means all her friends will be on a different estate (across a big park)? That's what I'm worried about mainly 😕

People say loads of kids live miles from their school but that’s not been my experience (at my kids London school anyway) all the kids seem to live very close to the school we are a mile away as well and we seem to be one of the furthest out, we never seen anyone from their school coming up here and we never see any of the kids from their school at the park near us (loads if we go to the park next to the school) but most of them definitely live a few minutes walk away which makes us feel a bit on the outside

Yes, but I'm thinking of my own children, inevitably. My daughter would have been much happier in A than B. She's 30 now, though, so I'm long past this stage myself!

We had a similar decision (to the point I'm wondering if it's the same 2 schools, except for mention of the parks!) although we live close to both schools so weren't worried about the friend angle.

We went for the 4 form entry, more academic option because it had better after school care and nursery options, and have no regrets, particularly now they are further up the school. I know a lot of people are put off by bigger primaries, but all of our catchment primaries are minimum 3 form entry (ours is 6 form but 2 of those are on a second site). The way our school is set out, I don't think it feels that huge - great outdoor space, different entrances for different years, reception is a separate bit with great outdoor play. And I like to tell myself that starting secondary won't be such a shock!

There probably isn't a wrong answer though and it sounds like both schools are great - you'll just get used to the new normal wherever you end up!

School A for sure, Bus when weather terrible, otherwise a mile walk is not far at all.

I think too much choice has swayed you here - surely lots of people live further than a mile a way from any primary school and you have two to choose from!

I really can't see the problem with her friends being the other side of a park, what are you imagining? I've never been one for lots of play dates though.

You might well not get into a school that's a mile away in London. Our school is big (3/4 forms per year) and the catchment has never been over 1km.

Most children live on one estate, we're in a different area (probably still within the admissions area due to large and strangely shaped parks around the estate where the school is based)

have you checked admissions policy? London schools are usually “distance as the crow flies”, and not catchment. Have a look at the last few years, in case last year was an anomaly, and also ask the school as they will have a reasonable idea how many siblings are after places as well.

have you been to visit? I found this hugely informative- the top rated local school, beacon, loads of funding etc I loved on paper but absolutely hated on visiting. Not so much learning through play as utter chaos. I chose a school that wasn’t even on my list in the end, went to see it just to tick the box. My instincts were right as 5 years later the outstanding school is now requires improvement and the school I chose is on the way up.

Thanks all, this is really interesting as I had assumed most parents would advise to choose the closest.

@Reallyreallyborednow the admissions depend on distance via a paved path, which benefits us as there is one in the right place! Definitely not guaranteed though as we're right at the furthest distance.

And no, haven't visited yet but definitely will.

They both sound good and sometimes it feels like you're splitting hairs trying to make a decision! As a new reception parent I'd go for the easy option any day, having a short walk is great - on my WFH day I'm at my desk for 9am. We see the same kids every morning so it's a real community feel. If we forget something we can run back home and grab it. I know a miles not far but at shattered 4yo pace it could take ages. I couldn't care less about school values personally, I was more interested in wrap around care, outdoor learning provision and what the teachers are like.

1 mile walk is fine.

Visit both schools and then you'll have a feel for which one is right for your dd. I wouldn't want a 6 form entry school myself.

Pretty sure I (weirdly) know the schools you are talking about - they begin with A and W?

If so, not all pupils at A live in the estate - manor park is easily within the distance so lots come from there. FG and Leytonstone it varies lots from year to year. Last year was an anomaly as kids got in from much further away than usual. Distance is measured by council software so you can’t calculate it yourself and path across the flats does not count as no streetlights. Best bet is to email the LA and ask them to tell you how far away your house is.

Being c1 mile from school is fine - I wouldn’t let that be the deciding factor. Visit the schools and see what you prefer based on how they feel.

@Jujujuly haha, you got the A right, but the other one is DL.

The website for DL really puts me off, and the reports from other mums I know re how strict it is etc make me wonder if it's the right place for my rather "spirited" daughter. A looks like heaven though!

I have a year to think about it so will definitely visit.

We live a mile from DS school
and we walk or get the bus. It is true that his friends are nearer the school and we are a bit far out. I struggled with play dates because I have two older DC and I work but if he had been an only child I think I would have done things like taking him to the park near the school at weekends etc. so he was more part of the community. Although it’s sometimes nice not to be bumping into school mums every time you go to the shop!

Ah yes, should have realised from the ref to an academy. Fwiw I know people
with kids at DL who absolutely love it. I don’t think there is much difference between them actually.