Trying to decided between 2 schools.....

[gd1976]

I am aware this is an exhausted topic, but we really are facing a brick wall and just cannot decided between 2 primary schools, so thought I would try and air the dilemma and see if any wise mn people have any words of advise. I know ultimately its our decision but talking about it seems to help things become clearer.

So basically, my ds is at a pre school where he is in the same classroom as the reception. He is settled there, he knows the staff well, the environment etc And has made friends. He also knows a lot of the older children throughout the school as they eat in the main school. The head has been there a long time and he's not planning to go anywhere, and the school has a good reputation. The other school has been made into an academy, has a very impressive head and overall seems like a better school academically.
My question really, is should I prioritise the upheaval of moving my son to a completely different school when he is very happy where he currently is at pre school? He is quite a sensitive soul, and the transition into reception would be very smooth keeping him where he is. We have also built up a good network of friends there, where we help each other out with pick ups and drop offs sometimes, which a value hugely.
I feel it's the easy option to stay where we are, but perhaps the not best school out of the two. I must point out, we live rurally and are very spoilt with the standard of schools, so really I'm splitting hairs. We live equidistant to both schools so we have an equal chance of getting into both.
Any words of advise would be greatly received.....

I should also the school where he is at pre school has mixed year group classes, 18 in each year, whereas the other one has single year classes of 25. I don't know what to think about this!!

I wouldn't even be considering the other school.

I'd stay where you are!!

Well I'd say it sounds like you are good where you are too. Thinking only of the school where you are, are you happy? Is it academic enough? Because it certainly sounds like you are all well settled but you could resettle somewhere else of course.

I guess sometimes just having a choice can make you more anxious (I know it is making me anxious and I'm about to submit my dds app too) but I have found it helpful to think of the schools in isolation.

It would be a no brainer for me- I would keep my happy child where he was.

I would keep him where he was too!

Agree with the other posters, I would choose the school linked to his pre-school as well.
Yes the "grass may appear to be better on the other side of the fence" and the other school may appear to be "better" on paper. But it is more important particularly in the early years that your ds is settled and happy to go to school and you already have developed good links and a support network at this school.
At the end of the day, if he isn't being stretched academically, it may be possible to move him in a few years time so I would choose the pre-school linked school.
HTH

Thank you- I suppose my doubt is that if I wasn't at the pre school already, I would definitely have chosen the academy as it is the 'all singing and dancing'school. It's had A huge input of money, with all new buildings, lots of money for iPads, school trips etc. However I'm aware that pisn't the be all and end all. Our current school is a bit more rough around the edges, and not as impressive by a long shot, but has warmer and cosier feel.....

you know what they say- you can't buy happiness

Yes crazymum- I think you're right about it being a case of the grass being greener. And the material things a school can offer don't make up for the happiness of your child I suppose....

Yes that's true insancerre. Out of interest, do you feel a school where everyone looks very smart and behave in a more orderly fashion is important? I know it is a rather old fashioned thing to be impressed by, although I suppose it can reflect more about a school.....

no, I would prefer a school where children were treated as individuals and were allowed to express themselves than a school where the pupils behaved like zombies
it really shouldn't matter what primary children look like

Yes I agree, it just felt like the academy children were more attentive in lessons, whereas the other school is a bit more free, but I went to a very rigid school and I like the idea of going to one which is a bit more relaxed.....

How near are you to the one he is going to at the moment? Are you likely to get a place at primary school there?

maybe they were more attentive because they had been told to be
maybethey were on their best behaviour and you didn't get to see a true picture
maybe at the other school they don't feel they have to 'perform' for visitors

From what I can tell, we have an equal chance of getting into both, we are in between both schools. However if there are any problems, our current school head teacher is very supportive.
Thanks everyone for listening, it already is becoming clearer in my mind.....

My only doubt would be that I prefer single year group classes. I have worked as a TA in both types and think that differentiating between the most and least able is easier in a single year group. But, otherwise, the current school sounds a better bet.

I'd keep with the one he's at: knowing the head is stable is a HUGE plus, as many on-paper "great" schools may not be as fab as they seem, the "successful" head may get tempted over to "bring up" a less good school, funding and nice facilities is all well and good but they don't make the place happy. He sounds like he's very happy where he is and that will do buckets for his achievement.

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense

One thing that you might like to do, just to check that you are making the right decision to plump for the school that he already attends in the nursery, is look at the Ofsted for the school. One or two of the things you said just make me wonder whether this is a school that is coasting along.
Firstly when was the last Ofsted and what was the level attained. If it is more than 12 months old then I would be looking for a grade of good or better. If it is satisfactory, then with your comments I might speculate that when Ofsted come calling, which they will within 3 years from the last inspection (if it was satisfactory) that the school will end up at "requires improvement (the new satisfactory rating) or worse.
A stable head teacher is a huge plus as aethelfleda points out, but if they are a head teacher who is putting in the years, coasting along without any school improvement towards their retirement, then they are not doing the job required for the children in that school.
The school may have a good reputation locally, but it is exactly because the fact that parents think it is good, when it is not, that means that it takes a long time or a negative Ofsted inspection for parents to realise how poor the education is in the school.

Thank you admission, yes I have had that thought myself. They got a good in 2008 and due to have another inspection this year. I worry that they're relying on reputation but equally I have faith in the head.