Whichschoolwouldyouchoose?

[Neitherhisorthat]

I'm in a bit of a dilemma trying to decide between two primary schools.

One is a very large school, within walking distance, quite strict. It has a small range of extra curriculum activities and my feeling is because it is a large school, it would pick the 'cream of the crop' to make up teams and less sporty and academic children would be left by the wayside as long as they didn't cause trouble.
The other is half the size, a short drive away, less formal environment, with fewer rules and regulations and I feel my (quiet) children would benefit from this. It doesn't take part in as many activities but they make a point of including every child. As a result, they don't win much but it is all inclusive.
Neither school particularly outshines the other academically.

Which one would you choose if you had the choice and why?

Most people will be like us I think. In the second school people travel to it. Most people with young families rent as they cannot afford to buy in the area......

If people are willing to travel to it maybe it means they value education above convenience.

If you genuinely feel the second school is the better school, then by all means go for it.

In saying that, distance is a huge factor and it is an issue that will become more problematic as kids get older.

Also, a school with 500 is still a large school. The issues you have with the large school of 1000 will still be a factor in a school with 500.

Neither school particularly outshines the other academically.

(The second school) doesn't take part in as many activities
As a result, they don't win much

If people are willing to travel to (the second school) maybe it means they value education above convenience.

The area (of the first school) is classed as disadvantaged

The second school down the road is in one of the most affluent places in the country. It is quite ironic really.

The second school certainly sounds more relaxed.

Are you sure this is a good thing?

Surely, a school in one of the most affluent places in the country would be expected to outshine a school in a disadvantaged area Especially if the parents at the second school value education more?

Also, I would think it unusual that the far more affluent school isn't involved in as many activities as the disadvantaged school.

My reaction to the above would be to be impressed with the quality of teaching and commitment of the staff at the first school in the disadvantaged area.

The journey is a big issue.
The second school is a large school - it should have loads of extra curricular going on.....does it? Check this out.

And remember your 4 year old will become a big 11 year old....the off putting things for a 4 year old may be bonuses for an 11 year old. Try to think about that too.

I think this thread has helped you clarify what is important to you.
It's not really about size, as both are huge. Neither sound like they are especially high achieving academic schools, so it's not about that, and it's not about the clubs either. In the end, it's about the children in the schools and the socio-economic mix. I can understand why you would prefer one to the other...and if you are prepared to drive to be with the kids you'd prefer, then do it.
My question is, how well is that more middle class school performing? If it's very middle class, you'd expect high academic performance....and if it isn't achieving that, I would query why.

Chocolate you are absolutely right. There is another primary in the affluent area. It has amazing facilities, has a reputation as an amazing school. Everybody wants to get in there. It is also private with very high fees where the parents profession matters more than their occupation.

The second school in the area gets the fallout kids.

The second school hardly gets the fall out kids if the 'best' is private !!!
A so called amazing private school will have DC from al over the place. Loads won't be local unless its in a ver minted area ... not that many can afford big fees or choose to.....
The 500 pupil will have the majority of the reasonably affluent middle class kids. The 1000 school has everyone else.
I refuse to believe that all the kids are bad eggs - madness.
It will have a good broad range of kids.
OP I think you aspire to the private school & lifestyle and want the second school as you think the demographic is nicer and less likely to corrupt your child.
If thats your priority, do it, if you would get in.
However, you must be a SAHP to spend 4 hours a day in the car and loose all the massive advantages of being part of your local community for your children; when its not necessary.
If the 500 schools is in a much 'better' area I'd also expect much much better results.

It is a very minted area.

I would LOVE my kids to go to the private school if we could afford it. We can't. I see the second school as more of a middle ground. It isn't helicopter rides to school but neither are the kid's families known to the police.

I think the thread has made me realise what is more important to me which is who my friends associate with. Thank you everyone.

Which school is run better, i.e. More organised? What feel do you get from the teachers when you visit?
Are they open and chatty with you about what they're doing with the children?

I'd go for the second one but use the time wisely so it doesn't add time onto your day e.g. child reading to you in the car rather than at home, homework done in the car, chanting numbers/times tables etc.

I'm skeptical that you'd get your child into this second school if it's smaller and in a posher area, and you live so far away. Have you checked how far away the last child who got in last year? You can get this from your local authority's website. You might not have a good chance of getting in considering where you live.

MrsJamin - a lot of the areas of the country aren't over subscribed.

Yes in our area yoiu need to be within a 10-15 min walk to get in any where. I assumed OP had researched if she would get in school2.
OP - I didnt mean to be harsh, but the more I read the thread I could see that this was not about the school, but about who you wanted your DC to mix with. Honestly in a huge school of 1000 not all will be known to the police. Your child may be friends with the child of a criminal in school but they wont be the ones you have play dates with or see at rainbows / beavers / drame club etc as those poor children wont have those opportunities probably.
If its a suburban are with good and bad bits, the vast majority of people will be just like you. They may all like to win the lottery and send their kids to private school but the know its not going to happen.
IMO you should accept your position and embrace your local community instead. Our school dont really do home work so an hour in the car would be just that. I'd rather mine were at sports clubs / cubs etc than sat in traffic

Hi again everyone,

Yes we will get into the second school. I wouldn't have asked if there was the slightest chance we wouldn't get in. I have a lot more to do with my time than worry about something that would not happen.

I am a SAHP. I wanted to be at home with my children and financially we are okay doing that so driving to school is okay.

I don't want to 'embrace my position' as we bought here years ago as an affordable first home. Since I put my career on hold to be with the children, my eyes have opened to reality of the area and I dislike it. I really don't want to 'fit in'. We always intended to move elsewhere but could never agree where we would like to move to and our conversations tend to always end in a lottery dream move location.

We are going to go with the second school and in the next year or two, sell our current house to move to a location we like.