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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

Which school to choose?

14 replies

peaman · 17/10/2014 19:04

We are in having trouble deciding on a primary school for our 4yr old daughter.

We are equidistant between 2 schools A & B. A has an 'outstanding' Ofsted report, B only has a 'good' Ofsted report.

She has been at A from the age of 2 to 4 1/2 (playgroup & pre-school). When we made our school choices for reception we chose A first, but we didn't get in, so we were offered a place at B. We appealed, but we were unsuccessful. She started at B last month and she seems very happy, she said that she prefers it to her old school.

Then last week we get a letter offering us a place at A, which has completely thrown us!

A is outstanding and the children get better grades. However, B seems perfectly OK to us, it is a bit bigger, it has cleaner newer buildings and from what we have seen of it so far, and from the interaction we have had with the teachers, we actually felt that it seemed a bit better than A. Of course, we are not in the lessons so we can't actually see what is going on behind closed doors.

Do we just go with the best Ofsted report, or do we chose the school which she seems happiest at?

Both schools have just changed headmasters, I suppose Ofsted reports can change. Apparently many years ago B was supposed to be better than A!

What do we do, if we change she may not like it and we can't simply move her back to B. We only have a few days to decide, can anyone offer any advice?

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RueDeWakening · 17/10/2014 19:07

I'd stay with B.

Purpleflamingos · 17/10/2014 19:07

Trust your instincts not ofsted. Different schools suit different personalities.

joanofarchitrave · 17/10/2014 19:11

I would absolutely stay with B. Slightly mystified by the 'better grades' - at what? Are you in the UK?

MrsPnut · 17/10/2014 19:13

Stay with B, the school is probably working hard to improve it's grade.

Original poster

peaman · 17/10/2014 19:52

joanofacrhitrave - yes I am in the UK, by grades I mean the percentages of pupils that reached level 4 at reading etc. However, I think some comparison websites figures may be a bit out of date. B was judged 'inadequate' a few years back, but they have improved to a 'good' in recent years and I think some of the statistics may be a few years old!

OP posts:

theonlygothinthevillage · 17/10/2014 20:00

Stay at B! OFSTED is just a snapshot and its assessment is no substitute for your DD's positive response to where she is.

Galena · 17/10/2014 20:16

Stay at B - sounds like it's on the up and if she prefers it and you prefer it, then that would swing it for me.

joanofarchitrave · 17/10/2014 20:46

I've just picked a 'good' secondary school for ds over an 'outstanding' one. I was intrigued by the outstanding report and think it's a good school but just found it seemed not quite right for ds, or at least not as right as the 'good' one. Ofsted is subjective, in the end, or not subjective enough.

Doodledot · 17/10/2014 20:48

Stay at B. It's a good school, it's local, she is happy, good facilities. I have seen outstanding schools that I would run a mike from

hiccupgirl · 17/10/2014 20:52

Stay at B if she's settled in there by now. There is very little between a good and outstanding school and I really wouldn't go in just Ofsted reports. They're just a snapshot and some HTs are very good at talking inspectors round.

redautumnleaves · 17/10/2014 20:54

Another vote for stay with B.

I am in a sort of similar situation.
My daughter started at my 3rd choice primary. I am still on the list for 1st and 2nd choice. But now - with the benefit of hindsight, I would have put my 3rd choice 1st because my dd and I love the school so much.
Now if we get offered 1st or 2nd choice I will decline (not very likely to happen but anyway!)

Trust your gut instinct, definitely not OFSTED reports. Your dd is happy and settled and likes the school - sounds perfect.

Original poster

peaman · 17/10/2014 21:15

Thanks everyone. Our guts were telling us to stay with B, but we have spent a couple of years hoping to get into A that we weren't sure if we would be stupid to reject a place there. I am happy and surprised that no-one has said go with A. We weren't sure how much importance we should put on the Ofsted report. Feel a lot more comfortable now!

OP posts:

TortillasAndChocolate · 17/10/2014 21:22

Definitely stay at B. Ofsted reports really aren't the be all and end all. As someone else said, it's just a snapshot of the school. They're not there for long. It's a guide, but that's all. I know of some fantastic schools with 'good' ratings. If you feel happy with the school, stick with it.

Doodledot · 17/10/2014 21:50

Our nursery got good very recently. They scored outstanding on all criteria. The ONLY recommendation was that they used the woodland garden (one of several play areas) a bit more. That's how little there can be in it

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