I don't like the "outstanding" school near me.

[crispface]

That's it really, late last year I went to visit our local primary schools for my daughter. She is my first child.

I visited the ofsted outstanding school first and was spectaclarly unimpresed. We were shown round by an admin assistant who couldn't answer my queries, nor was anyone available to (and they weren't difficult questions, just ones about snack etc), the teachers mostly ignored me , the class sizes were too big for the actual classrooms (very old school) so children spilled out of the classrooms, and a host of other reasons. Though there were other points I liked, suck as the outside space and gardens...

Then I visited the local primary school which is slightly bigger than the outstanding school. I went on the last day of term and no-one was put out that this was when I visited. The ehadteacher met with me in her office, answered any questions I had and then took me to look around. All fo the teachers greeted me and dd, and dd was taken by the reception teacher to look at a christmas display the children were making, it was warm and inviting and I loved it.

However a lot of people I know with children the same age are criticising my decision, and I'm starting to get quite defensive about it (eg saying it is easier for me to take dd there because of x, y and z...rather than explaining that I really liked it). One "friend" has openly criticised my choice, saying she knows the teachers there and that my child will fail (she is a teacher too, albeit secondary, and in a different county) and that she would rather give up work and home-educate than send her chld there

This other school is ofsted "good" so it isnt horrific - so wise MN'ers, what can I say to these so caled "friends" to stand up for myself and my decision.

go with your gut feeling OP. We have made a similar decision to yourselves and have no regret what so ever. Infact 2 years after the criticism and actual down right rudeness off some parents, some have now almost apologised. (avoiding an 'excellent on paper' comprehensive in our position)

Thanks all, like you said, it is too late now the forms are in. And of course I can move her if it turns out to be a bad choice.

I like the idea of asking my friend which teachers to watch out for though. Good call.

Thanks again.

I think you're right to go with your instinct.

The nursery attached to DD's wonderful (both in terms of Ofsted AND how I feel) school has an excellent reputation and has massive waiting lists. But DD didn't go there and although I put 2yo DS's name down as a safety net, I don't think he will go there either. I hope he will go to the community centre Playgroup where DD went. It was fantastic and nurturing, whereas the school nursery felt a bit... cold and distant I suppose.

err it was

RueDeWakening who said "bollocks" Becaroooo; I would hate you to feel misquoted....

There are, I agree, huge problems with OFSTED not the least because all the rules seem to be being changed at present which means that a school inspected in the next few weeks will have been working to a the old framework for years and will now be assessed in terms of a new framework. A phrase containing the words "goalpost" and "moving" jumps to mind.

Also the newly appointed Head of OFSTED has said that he regards low staff morale in a school as a good sign, which is ominous.

I stand by what I said NOW; whether I will feel the same in a few months time when we start to see what the revolutionised OFSTED is up to is a question. Might even be a good question.

But the practical point is that when you evaluate a primary school for your child, its a bit like buying a house. One of the bits of info you use is the estae agents particulars, and what other people say about the area but in the end you go and visit and look at the place...

And then you ask how does it feel?

And in a school you talk to the head and the staff. Do you trust these people?

The problem is schools working to inspection "frameworks" rather than doing their actual job of being a school educating children.

The idea that low staff morale is proof that you are a good manager is bone-crushingly stupid.

Who puts these philistines in charge of something so precious as our children's education?

I would totally, utterly trust your instincts OP.

We were equi-distance between two primaries for dd1 - one outstanding, one good. I far and away preferred the ethos at the 'good' one, and still do. I like it so much I chose to get involved with the PTA, I'm now a parent governor, and the school is now being acknowledged as great by many of the former disapprovers - which makes me feel wonderfully smug, I'm afraid

I would smile kindly/understandingly at your nay-sayer 'friends', and just say 'mmhmm'. Nothing more. And tell yourself that your priorities, your values, just may be different from theirs - and then ask yourself: would you want your dd to grow up like these 'friends'? If not, 'nuff said

I'm in the 'Ofsted is bollocks' camp.

Constant tinkering with the framework (new one only in 2 weeks before Wilshaw announced plans to change it again), no mention of well-being, limited scope for explanations behind data in current framework.

A completely bonkers take on a normal distribution curve - now anything below average 'requires improvement' until - what? - every school is 'above average'? Completely politically motivated.

Oh, and Wilshaw is the ex-Director of ARK (academy chain) and the chair, Sally Morgan, remains an adviser to ARK.

Bent as a 9 bob note imho.