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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Average local primary vs excellent one couple of miles drive away?

9 replies

amazonianwoman · 10/08/2006 13:29

1st post on this forum, haven't really given school too much thought yet (DD will start in 2 yrs) but now I'm in a bit of a debate with DH...

Our local primary school is OK - classed as average on the whole (some areas slightly above average) in latest Ofsted report (3 yrs ago), but is easily within walking distance and she'd have friends there from day 1.

DD could also go to a Catholic school which is VERY highly rated (top 5% in UK apparently) but would mean a drive of 15mins at least (until she's old enough to go by bus). She wouldn't know anyone initially. I'm not bothered by the denomination (in fact it puts me off slightly, heathen that I am) but it is an excellent school.

Neither are fee paying btw.

I vote for the latter, DH thinks DD should go local (and he's the Catholic!)

What would you do?

TIA

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sandyballs · 10/08/2006 13:49

I'd think carefully about putting her in the catholic school. The whole ethos is obviously based around catholicism and you may be surprised how much is involved. You'd need to be pretty committed to it and support her in its beliefs. This is why I sent mine to our local primary instead of the local catholic school, and I'm a catholic, albeit a lapsed one.

Tommy · 10/08/2006 14:04

I am a great believer in sending children to their nearest school as I think it really helps with socialising, walking to school together and useful for parents as well. However, being a member of the Catholic community I would, in your situation, probably send them to the Catholic school but if your DH doesn't feel strongly about it then I would go for the local one.
Easy for me to say - I live 5 mins walk from good Catholic school!

joelallie · 10/08/2006 14:05

Agree with Sandyballs - from what I know of families that go to our local Catholic primary, they are largely regular attenders at mass - I mean not just nominally Catholic. More so than at CofE schools for eg.

I think there's a lot to be said for local schools. Mine have gained a great deal from being able to pop out and visit mates after school and walking to and from is much less frenetic than having to drive. Our school isn't all that great academically but in the end it isn't the grades that the school gets that matter - it's how well your child does. And that's down to parents and home life as much as the school.

Have you visted both yet to get a feel for them?

amateurmum · 10/08/2006 14:08

I'd send her to the excellent school - is there a playgroup or toddler group local to it? YOu could send her there and then she would know children when she starts.

Normsnockers · 10/08/2006 14:11

Message withdrawn

sandyballs · 10/08/2006 14:13

I meant to add, much as joelallie has said, results in Ofsteds reports aren't the be all and end all. Have a good look round both of them and get a feel for them. Our local catholic school is higher up the league table in terms of test results compared to my girls' school. But I chose their school because they put a lot of emphasis on sport, music and drama which the catholic school didn't. I just felt they would get a more rounded education at that school - not just great results in maths, english and RE. They've just finished reception and so far I'm really pleased with it.

Original poster

amazonianwoman · 10/08/2006 14:49

Thanks all so much for your advice

It's such a dilemma isn't it? I'd really like to go down the local option for ease/familiarity/walking/it's still an OK school, but I still want her to have the absolute best start possible.

I went to a shocking high school (worst in county results wise) but did really well because I was just good academically (not meant to sound bigheaded!) but my sister didn't fare so well and I'm sure she'd have been better off in a better school.

I have to say I'm not keen on the strong religious slant - I've helped my nieces with homework from their Catholic school and it almost feels like propaganda to me (but then I'm an atheist )

I'll make arrangements to view both schools. Or we may end up just moving in 2yrs anyway!

Thanks again x

OP posts:

Normsnockers · 10/08/2006 17:03

Message withdrawn

Hallgerda · 12/08/2006 12:39

I agree with sandyballs that you and your daughter should have a good look round both schools before you decide. OFSTED reports aren't always entirely reliable, and really won't tell you whether the school would be one you would be happy to send your child to. If, after that, you prefer the Catholic school and can live with the ethos, go for it - you will get used to the drive and there's no reason why your daughter should not be able to make new friends. If you prefer the local school, then that's the right choice.

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