Primary School Preferences

[Pixiemeat]

We are currently viewing primary schools for our only DS, who starts reception Sept 2017. Our first and second choices are our closest schools. We liked both on the school tours, both have good reputations and good/outstanding Oftsted reports and we've been within catchment for both for the past few years. So we're reasonably confident of getting a place at one or the other. Though we don't want to take anything for granted.

We're not sure what to do for the 3rd choice though. Our 3rd closest school (walking distance) has a bad reputation, has been failing for years and has just gone into special measures. Though now hopefully it will get the help it needs and will start to improve. Our other choice for 3rd preference is a nice school which has gone through special measures a few years back and has come out the other side a really lovely school with a very good leadership team. The problem with this school is that it's 1.5 miles away and we'd have to take the bus to and from. I'd also possibly struggle to get to work on time from there.

So we're a bit confused about which to choose for 3rd preference. Hopefully it won't even come to it but would you go for a further away "nice" school or a nearby school in special measures?

Do you have catchment areas where you are?

Not really. Just furthest distances offered in previous years. We've never been outside the furthest distances of the first two. But have come close

We know the distances are measured as the crow flies and the distances on the gov website match the distances on the application form. As I say we really should get a place at 1 or 2.

Is there another third option elsewhere that could get to reasonably easily?

No other 3rd option. There are 3 in walking distance then after that it's a bus.

Good idea re: doing a practice run bus journey in the morning. I've also had a fair number of driving lessons over the years but never quite made it to the test so I could actually get my arse in gear for that too!

A friend of mine believes that putting the failing school on the preference list means that the LA will just give it to you just to fill the numbers there. That can't be right, can it?? I don't risk my 1st or 2nd choices by doing that?

Also I think school 2 is probably our "banker" as we live within 0.2 miles. Am I overthinking the 3rd choice??

You are not overthinking the third choice if you are in an area with oversubscribed schools.

Do the bus run.

They are oversubscribed. I will do that bus run

Can you put a 4/5/6 choice? Round here all the LAs allow that

No. Only 3 choices here

Hi, need to choose a primary school for my son. Does any Mum's have any feedback on Battlefield primary or Holy Cross primary in Glasgow?

It sounds like you have good chances to get into either 1st or 2nd choice, so I wouldn't worry too much about your 3rd choice.

FWIW we chose walkable distance over a school that we loved but that would have required a motorised journey. Our walk is about 2km (actual walking distance) and I don't drive. In reception we'd often scoot, and often that meant I'd pull DS along on his scooter for a large part of the way. It would take us 30 minutes to get to school, 45 minutes to get back home. It was quite tough insofar as it made for very long days. But still I didn't regret it - the walk to school meant that DS was fresh and awake when we arrived, the walk home lead to great social opportunities, making friends with people who walk in the same direction. Me as well as DS. And also a great way to let off steam and get a good run about - if we'd driven home, we would have been back in 5 minutes, but then would have had to go outside to play and run and let off steam.

It was also great exercise for me, by the time I'd walked to school and back 10x/week I had walked 40km! It was about 2h walking time/day for me.

From Y1 DS cycled (me too), which reduces our travelling time massively (especially for those parts of the school run where I'm by myself - I'm quicker than our neighbour who goes by car). Initially we sometimes used a tagalong bike, for safety/confidence.

What I'm saying is, walking distance IMO is a great plus, but I'd consider if the further school effectively is not walkable at all? Or cyclable?

The further school would be a 45 min walk, which would be too far for my DS. He'll have only just turned 4 in reception. So really it would have to be bus. I've also got some health issues which wouldn't fare too well with 3 hours walking a day.

I've also been considering a 2nd child in the next year or two and a nearby school that doesn't involve public transport would help in that respect too

I'd put the closer one and keep my fingers crossed for first or second choice!

I think that's what we're leaning towards, DoNotBlameMe!