Year R 2012!

[MogandMe]

So we have now looked at our 2 local schools and are deciding which school to go for.

So how have you found choosing the schools? I've loved having a nose round, although not enjoying the pros/cons lists etc

Last year was tricky coming to our final decision........and then we changed schools after the allocations were made

Piece of piss this year as DD2 is a sibling

We just went to our nearest
Didn't even look round
Wouldn't have worked if it was further away due to work commitments

Haha Saz why did you change? We have 2 within walking distance so trying to work out which would suit DC better

We have 2 almost equidistant, although one was an easier walk (not down lanes with no paths)

One school had a head leaving at Easter and the other had a head who went off sick after we applied. Various other things happened - teaching ratios changed/friendships moved on etc and i decided the easier to walk to school would be logistically easier. By the time we came to accept, the 'sick' head had left with no replacement and the new head at the school we changed to was appointed and doing a really good job.

I guess it goes to show that things can change pretty quickly and actually having your most local school probably 'trumps' most things.

This might be completely wrong in some areas, but certainly round here, there really is no 'choice' , as most of the local schools are over-subscribed. You're most likely to get into your catchment area school, which you can look up on the council website. In London it's obviously even more complicated, with the density of population, but that's another story. Despite this, I keep coming across parents applying for the first time who are wasting a lot of time and energy looking into schools that they haven't got a hope in hell's chance of getting into. You can usually look at the criteria for entry, and the previous year's stats- how many children didn't get places, and what category they fell into (catchment area, sibling at school but not in catchment etc. etc.)

School 1 is heavily subscribed
School 2 may suddenly gain a bolster class going from 30 admissions to over 40.

DC liked the pirate ship and the train in the playground so is of no help

Our local school (normal 20 intake) took:

• 29 in 2010 (19 siblings )
• 15 in 2011 (3 siblings )
• ?? in 2012 (12+ siblings!)

I think they are likely to put on bulge class this year to ensure all children who live in the village & environs who want a place can get in.

BTW i like the sound of a pirate ship too

Yes School 2 may be having the bulge class (HT told us this) although listening to some parents at preschool this morning they think school 1 will have the bulge class but head teacher didn't mention