We need to make a final decision by this coming Monday as to which school we choose. I am constantly changing my mind, and would love to hear experiences from people who have made the same decision, and are either pleased or have regrets.
The state school is round the corner, and is outstanding, though has a very mixed intake, with some behaviourally challenging children(in words of headmaster)and many children who arrive in reception considerably below the average level. It has an amazing community feel to it, and I already socialise with many of the parents who send their children there. I would feel very sad about removing my son from this local community. My main concerns about the school are focused on what it can offer him relative to the other school.
The private school is a ten minute drive. It is also outstanding, and has a really lovely feel about it. It is non selective, non profit making, focused on pastoral care, yet gets children into great London day schools, and really stretches more able pupils. Our child would be in far smaller class with more support, and specialist teachers in French, music, art etc. My main concern with this school is the practicalities of the commute, and the fact that socially I feel less comfortable with the type of parents there. Some of the children we have met on open days have also seemed a bit irritating, though others have been very sweet.
Our child seems to be very bright (preschool call him gifted, but he is certainlly not a genius), he has very intense interests, can focus amazingly well when he chooses to, is very sensitive, quirky and creative, but can also be difficult to focus on tasks he is not interested in.
Any thoughts or experiences would be gratefully accepted, as I feel I am continually going round in circles. Thanks.