Would it be ridiculous to send DCs to a school in special measures?

[Hopefully]

We have just moved to a new area, and since we didn't know it at all, more or less had to take what we could get, property-wise (we are renting and just couldn't get down here quickly enough for viewings to snap up the best houses).

DS1 is due to start reception in September next year, and our catchment school is in special measures - it has improved at every report since it was put in special measures in 2011, but as far as I can gather it is not up to a better Ofsted rating yet. The two next nearest schools are over-sibscribed, and as we are well away from the catchment boundary (we are bang in the middle of our school's catchment area, about 1/4 mile from the school), I don't see us getting into them unless we move.

I am by no means wedded to an Outstanding Ofsted school, but I am wondering whether a school that is actually unsatisfactory as far as Ofsted is concerned is a huge mistake, and we should be looking at moving (arghhhhh, I hate moving). The only problem with that is that we won't be able to move until after applications close, as the 6 month lease on our house isn't up till then, so we would have to go through the transfer/appeal process.

In the 2011 report, the catchment school had 2s and 3s for things like moral etc, but 4 for class structure, teaching standards etc. These have improved, but not a huge amount, going by the interim letters to the head teacher on the Ofsted site. However, the school facilities are brilliant (unusual for schools round here), loads of space, modern buildings, playing fields etc (no idea how sporty DS1 will turn out to be, he doesn't exactly seem that keen at the moment, but then we are more of an outdoorsy than a sporty family, iykwim).

Anyway, I am going to see the school in the next week or two, but I am wondering whether even a great 'feeling' (if I get that) is enough to offset such a poor Ofsted rating? We are involved parents, perfectly happy to help with reading/writing etc at home, and I think DS1 is pretty smart (although v shy and quiet among his peers - another concern as this is quite a big primary at 350 pupils).

It sounds promising, as if there is a good head and nice buildings then it could be a lovely place in a few years. The thing which I think is important, which another poster mentioned is parental involvement. It is v hard to assess, but when you visit you could be very interested in the PTA. Find out if there is a Christmas Fair and go to that. If the parents are involved and supportive then they are more likely to be involved and supportive with their own dc's education, more likely to help with school trips, have volunteer helpers, have an active fundraising programme (although obviously means that you would need to help out too). It might also mean that people put more pressure on the govenors to improve things. I know that what happens during the day is vitally important, but parental involvement can have an impact on it.

It might also be worth going to parent and child groups, asking around at preschool etc, often a community will have an opinion about whether a school has always struggled, or if it was a blip, go to groups beyond just the immediate vicinity. You obviously need to make your own mind up, but these things can help.

Also if all else fails and you aren't happy then places at other schools do come up, when dd started the catchment was 0.2 miles, something like 160 applicants for 30 places, now there are spaces in her class. The school is same ofsted, as are surrounding schools, still highly fought over at reception level, but some of those with the sharpest elbows have now disappeared off to private schools!

The new head sounds very promising if she's done it before.

I think you should pay attention to what other parents in the area are doing. Its the same in our area. One very oversubscribed very good Catholic Primary and one in special measures.

Parents are all desperately trying to get their DCs into the oversubscribed school and not the school in special measures. Your children only have one chance at a school life. Don't take a risk.