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Switching school dilemma...

3 replies

Chocovore · 16/07/2013 07:38

Oh, I just don't know what to do for the best. Can someone help me decide please? H is not being very helpful and leaving it all down to me.

Background, my eldest is just finishing Y2. He goes to a lovely, modern school and is very happy and seems to be doing well. It was ofsted Outstanding when we chose it. However, a recent Ofsted brought it down to Special measures. Complete shocker and we now believe this has been politically motivated to turn us into an academy. We have disregarded a lot of the report but the juniors received the greatest criticism and not stretching the more able pupils (which our DS seems to be). This was a big concern for us. Results have been very high and also very low but only 3 years of data as it is a new school and cohort issues cited for both extremes.

Anyway, due to this potential Academisation/SM upheaval and other change in circs which meant I was having to rely on others to do the school run for me, we took the decision to add him to a waiting list of the other Outstanding school which is slightly closer to home, easily accessed by me, excellent track record in all things academic, although a lot smaller and oldfashioned school.

I also have a DD due to start in YR in Sept and is not good at settling but has finally done all settling sessions at school 1 and is actualy excited about starting.

Anyway, DS has just got a glowing report, all 3s apart from maths which was a 2A, so that shows good progress, yes? And my circs have changed as of Friday and I can now get them to an and from school myself after all Law of sod, have just been offered places at the second school. So, what do I do? Move them or stay? I don't think we would get opportunity to move them again as places are like gold dust at this school and very unlikely for 2 places to come up again. This one has the proven academic record but is that enough? We are hoping for DS to go to grammar ideally.

Please help, i have someone waiting on us giving up our YR place and don't know what to do!

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MojitoMagnet · 16/07/2013 07:56

If your son is happy and doing well, and you like the school - don't move him!

The OFSTED grading does not have to be a bad thing - your son could benefit massively.

If one of the main criticisms is that it is not stretching the more able pupils, including your son, then the special measures is going to include this school getting lots of extra investment and specialist advice on making this better - and your son will therefore have loads of extra time and money spent on him.

I wouldn't move him to another school unless your son is genuinely unhappy there. Research has shown that outcomes at primary level depend far more strongly on the amount of time and attention parents put in to reading with their children and encouraging a positive attitude to education, regardless of the school. Children with engaged parents at crap schools will generally thrive. Children with disengaged parents at outstanding schools will generally not.

However, moving schools can and does have a negative impact - obviously it's sometimes necessary and if kids are unhappy in the schools they are leaving it's a good thing - but only do it if you really have to.

LIZS · 16/07/2013 07:58

3 years isn't very long to base much info on , the first batch of kids will barely have gone through. However if you are worried otherwise and have more confidence in the other school , and its convenience long term, then move.

Chocovore · 16/07/2013 08:17

I was loving your answer MojitoMagnet (love the name btw!) and think really I won't move him. Feel bad about that though as appear to have messed people around, which won't go down well. Although, my circs have changed.

Lizs, itz's really difficult isn't it because I don't have any experience of school 2. It's like comparing apples and pears....when you have only ever tasted apples and you QUITE like them, just wondering if you would LOVE pears! But then again, you might HATE pears. Can you tell I am overthinking this? Lol

School 2 isn't more convenient since Friday so that goes against it.

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