which primary school to choose - social v academic

[lizandemsmum]

Hi
I'm trying to choose a primary school for dd to start reception in sept 2014 and am stuck between our nearest school which is fine but never going to set the world alight or a really lively, dynamic, exciting school a mile away. Whilst it's obvious which school is the best academically, I'm worried that sending her to a school which we can't walk to will isolate her socially - she won't just be able to pop round to friends' house after school etc. And while I'm happy to ferry her around , there's no guarantee that her friends' parents will be willing to bring them here. I'd be really grateful for any thoughts/experience. Thanks for reading xx

Why can't you walk a mile away?

Are you sure that there are not other kids to that school living close to you? If not then how your kid will be accepted to that school.

I have a similar problem as the outstanding school near me doesn't have very good results on kS2 (level 5+) while the good CoE school 1 mile away has fantastic KS2 results.

I am not sure which one to choose! the one close to us has a pool and after school clubs while the CoE nothing of these.

Really so confused! so difficult decision which school to choose!!!!!

It's a mile as the crow flies - across fields and over a stream with no bridge! - but more like 2.5 by road.

It's a mile as the crow flies - across fields and over a stream with no bridge! - but more like 2.5 by road.

I second the point about checking admissions criteria and your chances of getting in - for many people it does turn out that they have just one 'choice' of school.

I think that living a mile away from school would be fine, fwiw, as long as you are happy to do a bit more in terms of lifts/driving around etc.

Sorry didn't mean to put that on twice! Nataly13, I'm not sure she'd get in but she would have done based on last year's stats. I don't know for certain that no one from here goes there but we live in a tiny village with 3 streets and I know that most of the children definitely go to the village school.

This is really about whether you want to ferry your DD to the further school twice a day and make friends with people who are not in your village. Personally I would go to the further away school if you can get in but if your village school fills up you may not get that either if you put it down as second choice. Most people do take their children to other friends houses and you can offer to do the running around if it is a problem for any parent. If you do not already have friends who will be sending their DCs to the local school then you are not integrated into that set of local Mums anyway so you might as well go for the other school.