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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

omg!! dd (year 1) has been offered at place at CofE school? wwyd?

28 replies

carpisonne · 12/03/2012 14:42

So dd1 goes to an outstanding ofsted one form entry primary school, she has been there since pre school nursery (FT) and will go into year 2 in September. She is doing extremely well, seems to enjoy school, has made friends and overall very popular with all the teachers.

This was our 2nd choice of schools, our first was the local CofE school which is also outstanding and we have stayed on the waiting list. On visiting this school the feel of the school impressed us as did the children and teachers. From what we hear they push the children further at this school so dd would be better prepared for 11+ etc. Current school from what we know does not. Also with the sibling rule, dd2 would start reception there next year.

Right away, DH is keen to move but obviously I have concerns, would dd be able to settle in okay? she has been at her current school almost 3 years? What if it backfired and she hated it?

Should we stay or should we go?? Any thoughts, experiences much appreciated, thank you.

OP posts:

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ItWasThePenguins · 12/03/2012 14:47

If she settled in fine first time then I'm sure she'd be fine second time..

Sittinginthesun · 12/03/2012 14:47

Personally, I wouldn't move her if she is happy and progressing. You are relying on word of mouth re: the C of E school, and you don't know whether it would be a good fit.

jubilee10 · 12/03/2012 14:47

I would be tempted to leave her where she is. However now you have a feel for her current school you could visit the CofE school again and see how you feel.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 12/03/2012 14:54

Are you sure about the sibling rule? The school my dc goes to changed theirs a few years ago; having a sibling at the school already only helps if you live within the village/parish. Basically, I wouldn't be making a decision influenced by admissions criteria unless I was certain I had the facts.

Original poster

carpisonne · 12/03/2012 15:05

Thank you for the replies.

We do live within the parish, so sibling rule would apply, I have also just checked with the LEA. I know of some parents from the CofE school so will have a chat with them. Basically this CofE school is in a similar league as going to a private school but without the fees!!

Good idea on taking DD to the school for a visit, but that may scare her?

OP posts:

Sittinginthesun · 12/03/2012 16:24

We have a C of E school locally which is similar. Parents fight for places and it is considered as close you gay get to a private school without paying.

I know a lot of parents/children there - some are very happy, others are not, and I know one child, now at secondary, who really hated it. Exceptional results, but dodgy bullying ethos.

I think you have to look again yourself. Is it really going to make a huge difference to your child?

Ghoulwithadragontattoo · 12/03/2012 16:29

Is it your nearest school? How far away is your DD's current school?

sunnyday123 · 12/03/2012 18:05

will the current school prioritise your sibling? if so then i would stay put, but if theres a chance of two different schools next year, then i'd move now whilst you can!

Original poster

carpisonne · 12/03/2012 18:42

Both schools walking distance and both schools will prioritise sibling, I don't apply for dd2 until next year so both would be at the same school whatever decision is made now. It would be a case of 2 schools if a place came up next year which would be a no, so timing wise it's good and she is still only 5 and in year 1.

Sittinginthesun Ikwym about some children being happy others not at more challenging schools, but thinking about it this could happen at current school, its a tough one as its the unknown.

I never thought a decision like this could affect me so much! Oh the joys of parenting! Thanks for the replies.

OP posts:

sunnyday123 · 12/03/2012 18:48

given that they both have such good reports i would stay put - the plus points of the new school don't seem that much more than the current one and even worse, are only hearsay.

would it impact on the secondary school choice? If not then again, i'd stay put as its a big change for your child

fatherchewylouis · 12/03/2012 20:09

I'm not really sure why you would consider changing schools if you and your daughter are both very happy with current school. There is a chance this new school would be marginally better (based on what you have said), but at the risk of it being a not a good fit for your daughter or the change having a detrimental effect and it being a disaster.

I just think the risk isn't worth it when your current school is fantastic.

Each to their own though.

jinsei · 12/03/2012 22:17

I guess everyone is different, but the new (pushy) school sounds horrendous to me. She is at a good school now, she is happy and she is making good progress. I honestly don't understand why you would even think of moving her.

startail · 13/03/2012 11:23

If both are walkable, I'd leave it.

PastSellByDate · 13/03/2012 11:40

carpisonne:

I think this is difficult. First both schools are outstanding, so frankly there's little betwen them.

I suppose the question is whether the 'faith thing' is the issue for you and your DH. If this isn't a big issue for you - then seriously consider whether you're going to be confortable with praying 2x a day, time given over to learning hymns and prayers, etc... rather than bread and butter topics like reading, writing and arithmetic.

The issue seems to be preparation for the 11+ - so e-mail your school and ask how many in Y6 will be going to grammar school this year. If 5 - 6 are going (or more) then I would say that the school is adequately preparing pupils for 11+ achievement.

Try and ask around. If on paper the CofE school looks good (as ours does) that doesn't mean that the reality is that parents are virtually home educating (as I and many parents do at our 'faith school' - who get the good reputation and take credit for all our work. Most parents do a lot of extra work with their DCs & hire tutors to prepare children for 11+ here, those that can't afford it do what they can but frequently their children fail to pass or score highly enough).

Don't underestimate the value of feeling settled & happy has for learning. Your DD, from your account, sounds happy & popular. Are you sure you want to gamble this just because your impression is the CofE school has a better reputation?

Look at last year's DfE figures for the schools - what percentage had L5. This year L6 scores will also be reported. But if your school is getting a sizeable percentage achieving L5 in Y6, then I would stay put.

Finally what age is the Head. If your Head is nearing retirement or the Head at the other school is nearing retirement things can change. Don't make the mistake of switching schools only to end up with the Head retiring soon after and things going downhill.

HTH

rabbitstew · 13/03/2012 12:28

What is outstanding about the current school? Do you not value any of those things? As for the practically-a-private-education school, you do realise that all this normally means is that the parents who send their children there can practically afford a private education, push/encourage their children a lot at home and can afford to fund a lot of out of school activities, don't you? All of which, if you are that sort of parent, you could easily do at the current school. Unless, of course, you actually mean this other school has its own science labs, swimming pool, specialist sports teachers, music teachers and language teachers, a dedicated art suite and state of the art theatre, etc....

CJ2010 · 13/03/2012 12:37

My DC's have not reached school age yet, but can someone please explain to me why C of E and catholic scholls are so desirable? Obviously, if you practice the religion then I undestand why you would want your child to attend, but I get the impression from MN and in the wider media that these schools are generally much better and achieve great results. I am aware of, in RL, parents suddenly discovering their 'faith' in order to get their child into these schools.

It's genuine question, what are these schools doing that the other 'non faith' schools are not?

Cheddars · 13/03/2012 12:39

To my mind, it really doesn't matter which primary school they go to so long as they are both good schools. I would be thinking about which one helps to get into the secondary of your choice. In your case it looks like the CofE would be the better option.

Cheddars · 13/03/2012 12:41

Also, if dd2 is going to go to the CofE whatever then I would definitely change. Much more convenient to have them both at the same school.

bradbourne · 13/03/2012 12:41

My child goes to a CofE (Voluntary aided) primary. (We were allocated it, did not choose it. I am an agnostic.). Anyway, my point is that it is not particularly religious. A lot depends oin the school head - some push the CofE aspect more than others, in my experience.

In you place, I would ask to look around the CofE school and ask lots of questions - 11+ results, what preaparatuion for 11+ do they offer, number of pupils achieving level 4 and 5, how they would hep your daughter settle in. Look at the work on display which is, in my books, a good indicator of the school's ethos. Do the children look like the sort of children you would like your daughter to have as friends?

rabbitstew · 13/03/2012 12:51

I really don't think you can tell whether other children are your children's sort just by looking at them. On that basis, all children would like those children who look fresh faced and intelligent (there is an intelligent look...) and who know that emotional bullying within earshot of an adult isn't a good idea.

bradbourne · 13/03/2012 13:01

No, but you can see, for example, whether the children are well behaved and polite or not.

VickityBoo · 13/03/2012 13:05

CJ2010 I'm glad you asked! We only have Catholic or CofE round here it's the norm!

sunnyday123 · 13/03/2012 13:16

CJ2010

Often its not so much that faith schools are desirable - it may be that you have little choice otherwise as VickityBoo says.

In my town we have 1 RC, 3 CofE and 1 community school. If you are RC (even if you dont go to church) you are fine, if you are CofE and go to church you will be fine but if a non practising CofE or non religious then you are competing with the whole town for a place in one community class of 30! What this means is that you may end up travelling a couple of miles to the next school with a free place - often one of the worst schools are noone clearly wants it or it would be full too!

sunnyday123 · 13/03/2012 13:17

for info, my DD RC school required no church attendance to get in and they have only had school mass in church once in 2 years so hardly OTT!

Limelight · 13/03/2012 13:22

So your DD is at an outstanding one form entry school where she's settled and doing well. And you want to move her?

Are you happy with how she's doing there? Do you feel that she's achieving everything she's capable of at her present school? Does she have settled and happy friendship groups? Are you happy with the ethos of the school and the opportunities it offers to your DD (outside of pushing her for the 11+)?

If the answer to all of those things is yes then I'm sorry, but I just don't get it. It just seems like lot of upset for nothing.

The only possible reason I would move my child in these circumstances is, as someone else has suggested, if there was the possibility that my younger DC was going to end up at the new school.

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