Church school or local school?

[elodiemum]

Hi.

I'm a Christian mum to 2 little girls, the eldest is due to start school in Sept 2010.

My local catchment school is OK, but the school attached the church I attend is great. AS know at lot of the staff at the school, lot sof my friends kids wither go or will be going to this school and dd already knows some of the kids that will be in her class - the downside is that it is almost 2 miles from our house - so a good 40 Mins walk at child pace. The local school is just 5 mins away - but we don't know the staff or other kids that will be going to this school.

The church school has very strong links with the church - the vicar and other ministry team do daily assembly and the holiday clubs etc are all held in the church. It has a Christian ethos.

DH doesn't really mind - he's not a Christian, but basically says it's my choice as I will no doubt be doing most of the school runs and have been the one who is involved with children's things locally etc. He just reckons that our kids are fairly bright and will do fine wherever we send them really, which is a positive way of looking at it, but I just want to feel that I am sending them to the right place.

I've prayed about it, but the answer does not seem clear.

Any one got any opinions or advice on this please.

Well, I walked two miles to my primary school, and I survived (loved it, in fact), if that's any help

Have you visited both schools? What is the ethos like at the community school. Many community schools have a lovely atmosphere.

I was in a similar situation with my son and we chose the local community school. It has meant that my son has made friends in his local area. I also think its been good for him to learn that not everyone believes in Jesus. Infact his best friend is a hari Kristna.

I think it would be really tough for a reception child to walk 40 minutes to and from school. Unless your local school is dire, I would pick the local school.

We chose a church school over a local school - similar distances involved. I have to say we now generally drive rather than walk . Bear in mind that 2 miles each way means a total of 8 miles for you (and any younger siblings) daily. If there is a nursery as well and the younger one goes there for half days then that increases to 12 miles for you! I have done the walk often and yes it is doable - though tiring for the older one after a long day at school- I used a buggyboard at first...

I love the community spirit that is at our school - as I am not a local that has been a great help in getting to know people. I'm not sure it would have been so easy at the local school for various reasons...

That's not to say I don't often wish I could just walk up the road to school though and the other downside is that the children don't have many friends who live near us - though that improves as they get older and go to local clubs, etc.

My 2 DDs go to a church school and love it! The whole ethos is lovely- church, community, family, and it has a caring, sharing atmosphere. They are so happy and settled that I am confident that we made the right decision in sending them there. This said, I would have had to drive wherever they went as we live in a rural area. I may have just sent them to the local school if there was one in walking distance.

Church schools also tend to have better budgets as they have other funding.

In this country, even non-church state schools have (in theory) Christian values and collective worship.

Thanks, Our local community school is in special measures due to poor results in year 6, but they did get a good report for children's well-being and I am told on the mums grapevine that it is a very caring school.

The church school has a very Christian ethos - I am sure if i go there I will end up driving - I guess it will be the local school when I think about it fully - but we will see.

well were in almost the sae quandry except with a 30 min walk to three schools

we looked at all 3 schools and one of them is a church school which we would get into with our arms tied behind our backs( I work and go to a church and 2nd criteria is going to local church)

I went to look at them and went to see where I thought the ethos was better and we opted for the 2 community schools first - they are fab and have a really rounded view on religion which I appreciate as I see its my job as a parent to educate about our faith not the schools

there were obviously other reasons but the church school is really sought after in our area and so it number 3 on our list ( and we didn't put in our church forms)
we always felt whatever will be will be about the whole situation