Feeling apprehensive re outcome of school choice

[sleepyhorse]

DS2 currently attends a preschool where his older brother (who has special needs) is in year one at that same school in a speech and language ARP. Due to my older ds's complex language and communication needs we have decided to send him to a more specialist school to help meet his needs in September. For a long time I felt confused about whether to keep ds2 at this school or send him to my original preferred school where in an ideal world I would have sent both boys. I ended up putting down the preferred one for my first choice (and his current school as 2nd choice) as I wanted a fresh start with my younger son where he could be an individual in his own right and not be known as the brother of someone in the ARP. However I have recently started meeting some really lovely people at his current school and teachers are great and wondering whether I have made the wrong choice. Obviously I won't know for another 2 weeks and what will be will be. I haven't told anyone at his current preschool but think they all presume his current school is his 1st choice (and the teachers presume this too) and I'm worrying about what I will say to people if he gets into the other school? I don't want to offend anyone or for people to think I don't think current school is good enough as I live in a very small town where everyone knows each other. Obviously people don't need to know the truth but one of the mums in the class is an educational pyschologist for our local authorities so could this info leek out? I know it sounds silly but don't want people to snub me. Any advice.

Nothing to leak is there! Nobody will think anything more than you are selecting the best school for YOUR child. Don't worry!

I think you have made the right choice. You have ended up at that school by default. There will be lovely teachers and lovely parents at the new school and your ds will soon make new friends.

The school won't be offended. And the other parents will think you are doing the same as them as that's what people do.

sleepyhorse:

let me assure you there never is the perfect choice of school. DD1 (now Y6) has been extremely happy at her school but educationally it's very run of the mill, and as parents were hugely disappointed. DD1 has always been working 6 months to a year behind her friends at other schools, has little or no homework and the quality of work they do in school is pretty unambitious.

DD2 (2 years younger - now Y4) has had a much better start academically but her class is full of some pretty dreadful personalities. There's a lot of teasing and a lot of belittling of friends achievements - so for example if a child comes in and says they earned there 50m badge in swimming and they're going to show the HT, someone will invariably say 'Oh, I earned that when I was 5, you're such a baby' or similar.

The reasons you've stated for choosing to send DS2 to a different school to DS1 do make sense. My DD2 is now in a new primary - she's out of DD1's shadow and thriving - it's a much happier group of kids who just get on with each other and are supportive of each other.

So relax. The decision was about what was best for DS2. With a son in the other primary, if this primary for DS2 turns out to be a disaster you can always transfer him back later. He'll have priority with a brother already in the school.

HTH