Outstanding school or inadequate one?

[Dontmakemecometovegas]

Apologies I have another thread started earlier in the week in this vein.

I'm struggling with the decision as to whether or not to move my son (in reception now) to a different school. Here are my lists of pros and cons. Please give me your opinion:

Current school

In special measures. Last ofsted a year ago - everything was 4. Including behaviour.
Behaviour still not great generally
Parents a bit rough (I know this sounds snobby but we've had two letters about verbal and physical abuse from parents, a police presence some nights on the playground and parents who had to leave sports day for being drunk)
At the moment achievement is well well below national average.
Ds has a couple of close friends. He won't play with a lot of the boys because they hit. But appreciate they may mature with time.
It's a really boy heavy year and there will be 25 boys and 4 girls in the year.

But -

School is improving all the time
School is becoming an academy
Ds is happy there
It's very near and we can walk

There is now a place at the outstanding primary 2 miles away.

It got 1s in everything, the behaviour is exceptionally good.
All the teaching observed was good
Class sizes are only 20 (instead of 30)
School has a very pleasant calm atmosphere
School offers lots of additional clubs and hobbies (current school offer none)

But:

Ds won't know anyone
The current head is retiring - and a new one starting in September. Bit of an unknown.
Can't walk there - on country lanes


What would you do?

[Cakecrumbsinmybra]

Good luck OP, I would definitely move my DC in those circumstances, given the chance.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

I'd move him for less cause than this. Just one thing though: are you available to drive for every svhool run?

Start looking at secondary svhools now and consider your options carefully.