What exactly is a 'good' school?

[MyPantsAreGreen]

My DD has just begun her fifth week at reception and is absolutely LOVING it. I have to say this was our third choice and the local unpopular school. It is OFSTED good and exam results are ok and comparable with the other 'good' school in the area and not hugely behind the 'outstanding' one that was our first choice. I think in all honesty the reason it is unpopular is that it takes a lot of kids from a not so nice council estate, has a high percentage of FSM and kids where English is not the first language.

Although I was a little wary of her starting and put off by the pitying looks from other mums whenever I mentioned she was going there, I have to say my daughter's enthusiasm speaks for itself. She is also an able reader and this has been spotted quickly by the teachers and she has been given appropriate band reading books for her ability. This is contrary to tales I have heard from mums with children at the more popular schools with able readers being stuck on picture books/beginner books for months and a refusal by the school to move those children up. The assembly I went to was lovely and every child had the opportunity to speak and was happy to do it. I can't see anything to justify the local mums' attitude so far. The teachers though young seem lovely too.

So really is a choice of school really a reflection of people's social attitudes and a desire to ensure their children only mix with their own kind? If not, then what is a bad school and what are the warning signs? She is only little but I worry as she gets older that I need to be up to speed with what a good school should be doing. I know that exam results and OFSTED are not necessarily accurate guides.

I think the fact that you feel so positive about it and your dd is happy is a good indicator that the school is doing a good job for you and your child. You are happy with what they are doing for her already which is great. An outstanding school on paper may not necessarily be the right one for every child.

Well, sounds like you've got one there

I'd take those as very positive signs.

Sing from the roof tops that you are happy about the school op. Schools that suffer from snobby attitudes [as with your friends with the pitying looks] need people like you to tell them why you are happy and why you think it a good school.
Sounds great and sounds like the sort of school that will instill a love of learning in your child.
As for those who [as you say] want 'to mix with their own kind' what sad, narrow minded people they must be.
Glad your dd is thriving.
Relax!

Sounds a lovely school!

Forget the labels, the local snobs, and throw your support into the school, if you want my opinion.

I live in an area which has a real pecking order where school are concerned, starting with a few very pushy private preps; an state church primary with amazing results on paper, but a terrible bullying problem which has been papered over; a couple of "traditional" state primaries in very middle class housing estates where they "don't have the resourses" to cope with anything unusual such a SENs or ESLs, and a handful of schools with a very mixed intake, but very warm, caring and inclusive attitude.

I have friends with children at all of the schools, and wouldn't swap our "good" school, with it's good but not top of the league results, for the world.

Sometimes it's historical labels. One local school has a poor reputation and they never exceed their PAN, but I don't know anyone (who isn't a general complainer!) who is there at present who has anything but praise. However a few years back it did have lots of problems.

Sometimes it's a case of it suits one child but not another. If you have a very academic child, you won't necessarily appreciate, or even know, that the school does SEN with learning difficulties brilliantly, or vica versa.
I remember one conversation with a parent to whom I was singing the praises of dd1's year 3 teacher. Other parent said glad to hear it because her ds (2 years older) had had a dreadful teacher in year 3. Turned out to be the same one .

Or it can be individual teachers. If there's multiform entry, you may go through the school having the best teachers for your dc. Dd1 did that. 4 form entry, and every year except one had what I think was the best teacher for her. Dd2 going through the same school has only had one teacher that has totally got her, the rest just haven't gelled with her in the way dd1's teachers did. (and if anything dd1 is generally harder to gell with)

And then you potentially get some forms that are "difficult". Form below be at primary (1 form entry) was dreadful. Teachers actually left rather than take them, weak teachers moved years to avoid them. If you've got a child in a form like this then your view tends to be different.

But because of those things, the "objectors" tend to be louder than the praises. So you can easily get the impression that everyone hates the school. But if you actually speak to most people whose dc go there, they are very happy.

Add to that you do occasionally get a school that sees another as a deadly rival. It doesn't necessarily go both ways. There are two local infant schools, one sees the other as a huge rival and regularly among the parents there you hear the "dreadful happening" at the other. None of which have ever had any basis in fact I can say with confidence. The other school regards them with friendly affection
I have contacts with both.

Such a nice OP. What makes a 'good school' can often be quite intangible.

Emerald is right though that you need to sing it from the roof tops although the snobs will probably defend their position by saying that you are making a virtue out of a necessity and will say that your daughter is only an 'able reader' as she is being compared a lower ability cohort. Make sure you have good answers for comments like this.

In Reception the key is that children are engaged and happy. It sets them up for a good school life - and you have this. So nice to hear such a positive view point