Hi,
I guess I am hoping for a bit of reassurance that I am doing the right thing!
We recently (4 weeks ago) moved to a new area. The only school that could take my children this term was a 'failing school' that actually appeared to be looking up. I went to visit. The school and grounds were lovely, great artwork everywhere, the staff were lovely and I was pretty happy.
So we move house...and the children start. At drop offs and pickups Im a little concerened. Some of the parents are VERY scary, lots of big scary dogs tied to the gate, an alley of smokers to get through, lots of swearing and a huddle of yr 5 and 6 children who are not too polite to go through every morning to get in the gate. Day 2 my eldest 8 gets 'attatcked' by a sn child (fair enough it happens, the school do deal with it). Life goes on for a few weeks with me not being too happy. The older children at the school and the parents behave VERY badly and no one pulls them up on it. Police there lots etc.
Week 2 son gets attacked by a different sn child (he tried to strangle him in the playground and left bruises) school again dealt with it pretty well.
Now despite my concerns both children have settled in very well. They like the school, have made 'nice ish' friends.
Other concerns:
Neither get homework..and only the youngest gets a reading book.
There are very few out of school activities and no school community eg no one seems to have playdates / clubs / fetes etc None of the parents speak to each other. None of the teachers speak to the parents.
Are you still with me?
SO we have been offered a place for the eldest at the local church school. Closer to home, great reputation, appears to have much higher standards than current school. Being snobbish in a more 'middle class area' and a great community. I have accepted the place. BUT my son is furious and adament that he doesn't want to move school...arghhh I have given him every opportunity to make the decision his, I really wanted him to want something better. He has started the youth church that the school is attatched to and the cubs at the church hall with an aim of integrating him with the children that go there. Our next door neighbour who he is great friends with is also there. But he is pretty determined not to move.
The downsides are that my youngest will have to stay at scary school until a place is available...by himself! Obv causes complications with school runs etc but we can work around that.
SO am I being unreasonable to insist that he moves school...am I going to scar him for life??
I hate being a parent!!