Changing chosen primary school for 2025 September Reception intake - is it worth it?

[shoddylemongrass]

We're in a situation where we chose a primary school for our child in a village outside the town where we live, which is about a 15-20 minute drive depending on traffic. We chose it because it seemed like a friendly school, but also has had comparatively small reception intakes in the last few years (13-20 typically, one form entry), but maintains single year group classes. Given the birth rate for this year's intake is similar to last year's, we expected it to be the same this year and it tipped the balance in favour of that school over others. We also have close friends sending their child to the same school.

However, lots of other parents obviously had the same idea, and this year's intake is in fact 28, and therefore this school doesn't have the advantage of small class sizes over other schools, so we are questioning whether it is worth driving a 40-minute round trip twice a day for this school any more. We have gone back to look at a couple of others we saw before the choices, which are closer to home (about 6-7 minutes and 12 minutes), one of which is the same set up (one form entry, around 27 per year) and one of which is mixed classes with a smaller intake.

The question is, do we stick with our original choice, which now doesn't have anything unique going for it other than one of my child's closest friends going there, or do we change to a closer school?

If there are places I would move nearby both for ease of daily school run and making friends close by to see after school and in holidays. A way ahead but also worth considering which secondary school children go to from each primary so they could move up with friends.

I’d swap if you’re otherwise happy with the closer schools.

Having friends on your doorstep, a bit more time in the morning and not being subject to the traffic twice a day is worth a lot.

Yes, I’d change if you are otherwise happy with the closer schools. Having your friends live nearby is really priceless especially when you get to the age of lift sharing to activities.

I'd go with a closer school if the main driver was the smaller classes in the other school.
My daughter is coming to the end of reception and being close locally to the other children has helped her settle.

My daughter's class is a full class but it's a relatively new thing that the school has been able to draw in 25+ students a year year 2 and above at I think 8 is the smallest class size but 15-20 was typical. They merge classes. Parents I know with children in those classes say there's pluses and minuses. There are more opportunities to make friends compared to if the small classes were on their own but at the same time who is in their class alternates every other year.

My daughter's class started at 31 but one child left during the first half term, however it's an enhanced resources school and some of those pupils are predominantly in a separate classroom. So the day to day reality is a class of 26-27, there's lots of teacher time though as they have 1 teacher and 4 TAs.

I’d go with a closer school if you like them. It’s much easier if it’s walking distance and also easier for play dates and activities with friends.