I'm not loving my son's school

[sportinguista]

It was fourth choice and although I'm trying hard to make the best of it, I really don't like it. It's 2 days in I know and it's early days but the feeling that made me put it way down the list when I looked round still stands and all the reasons I didn't choose it are still there.

Unfortunately it's our catchment school. Does anyone else feel the same and will it get better? We are looking to move house in a couple of years so maybe best to try to like it a bit better until then?

At least you have a school, some unlucky people have not got any of their choices. It is early days and you haven't yet given the school a chance.

What is it that you don't like?

How is your DS liking it?

Are you still on the waiting lists for your preferred schools. I was in the same situation. I tried to make the best of it, I started to look over some of the negatives.

Then three weeks in, we were offered a place at no.2 school. So we switched and have been pleased we made the move.

Is your son loving it?

Remain on the waiting list of your preferred school and switch schools if a place comes up.

Are you on waiting lists? We got 3rd choice and I was horrified. Sadly so was ds, we got wl place 4 weeks into term
We have all been delighted since. just started Y1

As you said, it's early days. You will have noticed those things you didn't like because you will have been aware of them beforehand.

I know someone in a similar situation that a week in was terribly upset because she felt "all her worst fears had come out at the school".
Two terms in and she was proclaiming it the "best mistake ever made" and she "wouldn't move schools if you paid her".

Once she'd got to know the school, and allowed herself to feel more positive, lots of things came out that she really liked, and wouldn't have happened at the other schools she wanted.

She refused the place at her top school when it was offered, so it wasn't just talk.

I suppose I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole experience as well. It seems really chaotic, which was something I felt when I visited. I also wasn't thrilled because 90% of the children are from one single ethnic and religious grouping (his nursery in same area was much more mixed) which I think will have a big impact on friendships and social interaction generally.

Talking to one or 2 parents of slightly older children as well some of the ofsted points raised seem to be right that more able children are left very much to themselves.

However I appreciate we are lucky to have a school place at all and in one that isn't too bad.

I think I got annoyed because the holiday club I thought existed as well seems to be very sporadic and I was told it was because most parents have at least 1 non working parent to cover.

DH did spend a bit of time saying give it a chance last night although he does have much the same reservations...

DS seems ok and still seems to think he is at nursery with the same friends, hasn't mentioned any of the other children yet. All he could tell me was that he put a toy in the bin by accident and that some of the children at breakfast club shouted and he didn't like it.

Get him into some out of school activities, so he can be working on other skills and has something to take his mind off school on the off days. Consider looking into tutoring or other ways to give him some extra academic support. (Assuming you're talking of a secondary school, not a primary!)

Agh!

OK, well is there any way you can go in and help there, listen to readers etc once a week maybe?