Do I choose the large academic hothouse or the 'rounded' small school?

[GSTONES]

I have been told that my daughter is very academically able and is currently doing very well at her current nursery setting BUT she is quite shy and whilst she loves having friends she is not a child that will just go and join in.

She will stand there at a party and not really join in unless a friend comes and takes her hand and then she has a fabulous time but if no one comes to get her she will just stand there and look sad :( Makes me very sad :(

I want a school that will stretch her academically but that school has 80 in the year (20 each class) and I worry that the number of pupils will be overwhelming for her. Or the opposite is a school which gets good results (no academic awards when children leave at yr 6), is very nurturing, but only has 36 in the year group (18 each class).

Any one else been in this position? What did you choose?

Thanks

After much homework, we chose a big, slick, powerhouse prep school for DS, deep in the SE commuter belt. 450 children, glossy facilities continually being upgraded to match the best in the country. Scholarships to the big schools rolling in, children in lead roles in West End plays, children playing sport at National (U13) level. Waiting lists soaring.

Then we ended up in a position where he has had to go to a small, country prep. 250 children, only 8 in Reception (expands at Y3). Facilities are a little rough round the edges (although they use the facilities of the big Public School over the road). Atmosphere is horizontal. The children are just allowed to be themselves. It couldn't be more different to the powerhouse and I LOVE it. DS is gloriously happy, the school smells of serotonin and mud at pick-up time. He is also learning so fast, there is no way the big school could have got more out of him.

Basically, I think I am trying to say be open minded and choose the school that feels good to you.

If too many children leave the smaller school , will it remain financially viable. You also run the major risk of friends leaving . Or the disruption of you needing to move . I would choose the bigger school and let her compete against more children. She does need to understand life is not all about winning though !

Are numbers at the smaller school stable? If so then having 18 in a class is not so bad as long as the class gels. DS was in a class of 16 for years 7-8 and he loved This. The class were incredibly supportive of each other while the year above who also had one class were horrible. It really was the luck of the draw. This school was growing and now has 2 classes per year and we knew it was financially stable. Glad we picked it over the selective prep which DS had originally won a place at as I think the other aspects of what made him 'him' would have been missed.

Do as much research as possible, listen to the local grapevine and then go with your gut instinct