School choices - help!

[Dramallama91]

Please help out a first timer in terms of what's important at Primary. If you can't be bothered to read I'm basically asking if I should prioritize logistical convenience...or newer/more/better equipment.

We have three schools within 1km and I'm struggling between 1st and 2nd choice (third choice decided)

Both much of a muchness in terms of school 'vibe' - small, one form entry, family feel, nurturing, similar performance ranks, both 'Good' at ofsted etc etc. DD is bright and I feel she'll get on fine at either one to be honest.

Closest school is better logistically. 7 min walk, convenient wrap around care, attached nursery which could eventually have DD2 so only one school run. But, slightly run down, tour was run by a pair of year 6s so whilst they were very good and cute it wasn't a particularly thorough tour. Yes we were able to ask questions with the head afterwards but sometimes you dont know what you don't know!

Second closest school is better in terms of facilities. Bigger outdoor area with smart new equipment and lots of it. Brilliant out door area for early years. Tour was run by the long serving Head who was incredibly passionate and I'm wondering if the whole experience is clouding my judgement because he was just so great!

But, 15 minute walk (and in the wrong direction for work if I were to drive and drop off on the way, or for DH who cycles) and after school club is run at a school slightly further in the wrong direction. No nursery so two morning runs until 2028 and also in wrong direction for current nursery.

Both oversubscribed and we'd be on a knife edge whether we get in to second closest based on the distance rule, but there's definitely a chance especially as low birth year apparently.

I'm leaning towards logistically easier - what do you think?

First school. Logistics over the "sell".

I'd go for for the school with the better facilities.

Logistics are important, but we're talking about an 8 minute difference on foot, that's maybe 2 mins in a car? It's not really a major inconvenience.

Bigger and better outside space will make it a better experience for your DD and that's worth an extra few minutes a day on the school run imo.

I would pick the first school, I am always suspicious of the hard sell as pp says. If they are good they don’t need to put on a show.
In answer to your original question though I would not look for shiny facilities or pick the nearest school. I would be looking for nurture and pastoral care. Have a look at their policies on things like bullying and ask parents with older children what their experience has been. Any child can go through a rough patch with schooling and some schools are better than others at supporting them.

My rule of thumb would always be closest school unless very compelling reason why not. Being able to walk to school (particuarly when old enough to do it on their own), being part of a local community are such huge things at primary level.

And your closest school sounds great. Don't undervalue your Year 6 tour - it's likely you got more of an "as it really is" commentary than you might have done from an adult.

Ooo, interesting to hear different opinions.

Just to clarify, I wouldn't call it a 'hard sell' as such, he has been the head for 14 years or something and genuinely just was so passionate about the school.

Always logistics! Nursery, wrap around care, closer, definitely go for school 1. Driving every day, driving in different directions and not good school wrap around care is a daily pain and will affect your daily life and working life. How will you do two morning runs when one parent is sick, away with work etc. believe me I wish we had gone for the closer school!

I'd go for the nearer school. Overall, your child might have some better experiences at the other, but sounds like they'll be educated and happy at either. The logistics will win out. When it is freezing and peeing it down which it will for what 9 winters, or when one or both children are tired or feeling under the weather, will count for more than you think!

I would be prepared to put myself out for a school with great facilities and a passionate head.

Worth remembering heads can move on...

We went with logistics, nearest good school was in walking distance and pleased we did, especially when the weather is as bad as today. Loads of kids nearby go there so we've all made friends on the walk in (handy when I was once so sick I couldn't take DS in and had to ask a mum from another class to walk him in), easy to get to for events when I'm WFH, get my steps in doing the drop offs/pick ups.

I like the sound of the second -smaller schools don’t appeal to me, smaller pool of friends. A long standing head is a really positive sign too.

The schools are the same size ...

First school. Logistics because it means you are part of a community, plus it says a lot about the school if they produce a Y6 cohort with the level of independence and confidence to give parents a tour.

Don’t underestimate how many school buildings are run-down and shabby because of underinvestment. It’s outrageous that we are in this situation - but tired buildings don’t mean the school itself isn’t brilliant.

Have you met the head for #1? If not, maybe they are great too!

I would also go for distance and logistics too. DS is on Year 1 and there are schools in the area (that we would have got into) that have better facilities but didn't have as nice a feel. I also like the fact that Year 6 pupils gave a tour, I think it shows that they give children independence and confidence.

Ha, snap @DampImpenetrableTumbleDryerBundle!

I would go back for a second visit to the first school and see how you feel. Logistics are important, but for me, I’d be much more interested in a school with an engaged, committed head who was passionate about the school.

It feels a little weak that a head couldn’t be present for showing parents around at an open day. Yes, when we visited secondary schools, tours were done by students, but there were literally like 500 families there (huge school, 1600 students). A small one form entry primary should be able to organise lots of face to face time with the head/others in leadership roles on an open day.

Could you drive? A 30 minute commute to school twice a day is a lot (realistically, it will be more like 40-45 minutes). But even a 14 minute one (likely to be 20-25 minutes) is still quite a bit twice a day if you need to get to work. If you end up driving anyway especially in rain, the further distance wouldn’t necessarily put me off.

I was in a similar boat when looking at schools. There were some fine schools neaby and very good schools further away. We are going for the schools with better facilities even though they are all a drive away over the ones within walking distance.