Primary application - another wobble re preference (pre-school related) - sorry!!!

[CURIOUSPARENT]

I am having so many last minute wobbles re preference on school application form and in my mind cannot decide between 2 schools which to put 1st and which 2nd (my DH is like me totally confused as well!).

We keep thinking we should put the school where he currently goes to pre-school as first choice and I suppose it is because we think it'll be easier for him to have a few friendly faces (there will probably be about 5/6 going to the primary).

However, I'm wondering if in some ways school B, which is closer, might be better for him as although both schools are really lovely I can't help but wonder if it might appear to suit his character more.

School A is SUPER competitive and my DS is a really sensitive little soul. I know he is only young so perhaps I am being worrying about nothing but I think a part of me is concerned that if we chose school A it is only because it is what we are used (i.e. familiar).

Aagh! I wish it were all over!!!

I'd say familiarity is not so important at this age. There is still plenty of time to get to know a few faces at school B. Also he will do some sort of induction so it's not as though he'll be dropped straight in. School B sounds a goer from what you have written.

I wouldn't worry about familiarity. DDs two best friends (year 1) didn't go to the nursery there but have fitted in really well and have loads of friends.

If you know it's super competitive and you're not even the yet I would run like the wind in the opposite direction.

And closer is good.

My DS's 2 best friends in primary didn't go to the attached per-school. I would make your decision based upon the school, not the 5 or 6 children who might go there.

I work in a pre-school where all the children scatter to various local schools, I bump into them and their parents around and about and all seem to settle fine into school, even those who are the only one to go to a particular school from our setting.

It's also worth remembering that you might not be the only parent at that pre-school who would choose the other school, there may be fewer familiar faces than you think at the linked school, you can't know until the time.

Oh thank you all you lovely people for your super fast responses

Got the same issue as you! I'm pretty sure I would get a place at whichever school I put as my first choice as I'm right on the border of catchment areas for the 2 schools and neither one can fill up entirely from their catchment area.

I applied online so can still change my preferences which I have been doing on a daily basis this week...

My daughter goes to a pre-school where probably 15-20 of her group will be going to "school A" but I'm currently favouring "school B". School B is much easier for us to get to, has better academic results (this year anyway) and is a much nicer building - all modern and new with lots more space. I think only 1 other child from pre-school is going to school B.

Thinking about my older children though (now 11) they're not really friends with any of the kids from their reception year. They do chop and change their friends a lot when they're young I think.

Thanks countrygirl (I think you also posted on my other wobble thread) .

You see the school where my son goes to pre-school the school there is getting better results (like top 100 schools) but it's this competitive thing and the fact that they seem to focus a lot on sports that I think may make it seem less attractive. Probably alot of people would think why would you not go for the school that is outstanding and in top 100 nationally but I just wonder if that isn't my sons character type. The other school is more arty/drama/music and is closer. Although you can never predict I just can't help but wonder if this would suit him better.

countrygirl just wondered if you feel like me that you almost 'should' put 1st preference where they go to pre-school but that something else makes you wonder if you should put the alternative?

What a nightmare :)

Are you at the same pre-school? My school A also very competitive and on top 100 list. Not sure about the sport though. Does it have a really good choir???

School A has slipped though this year to the point school B has overtaken in the sats for the first time ever.

And yes I do feel like I "should" choose school A. For decades now school A has been considered the best school in my town. I went there in the 80's and it was the same then - quite "elitist" really. I've also got the added pressure of my Mum and my sister trying to get me to choose school A as my daughters cousin starts there at the same time. My elder 2 went there though and I didn't really think it lived up to its reputation.

School B has a nicer uniform though and the school bus stops literally outside my house

No I don't think so as I don't think there are any school bus's and also the school that I'm feeling I 'should' choose is still top for the SAT's ratings - 100% in all subjects. Don't think so re the choir, although there are many other similarities, in that it has been considered the best school for decades.

at uniform as I have had the same thoughts! But in our case it's the other way round - school I think I 'should' choose has a slightly better uniform.

Go with your gut feelings, if you think your child will thrive in school B then I would go with that ass my first preference. The fact that it is closer is an advantage. I would not bother at all about his current friends, most children make new friendship groups within a few days of changing schools, so it should not be a problem. many children go to a different school than where they were at nursery.
Make a final decision, fill the form in, send it and then forget about it or it will drive you crazy

OP, after I created my "last wobble" thread, I think somebody mentioned that if a child has any special needs (or supersensitive), then you should check how is pastoral care from Ofsted report.
Well in my school A and B options both have excellent pastoral care, so it does not help with the decision.
For months I thought that I will choose "relaxed" and "lovely and "lots of sports activities" as opposed to "highly academic" and "pushy", but now I am leaning towards the academic... mainly because the SATS show that they stretch all children (including disadvantaged) to good results, while the other "lovely" school has a gap in results between disadvantaged and other children. Disadvantaged means receiving free schools meals or children in care. We do not belong to this category, but my DS could be challenging in behaviour, so I think the pushy school would handle him better...

By the way, everyone says "go with your gut feeling" or "you will feel what's right for your child". Nothing similar, visited both schools and have not felt anything. Both schools very different, both seemed OK, and that's all about. I am going to walk around the schools tomorrow... my last chance to get my gut feeling!!!

If they are similar go for the closer one. V simple question I think!