myusernamewasusedbysomeoneelse ·
10/01/2019 10:36
Just after some rational thoughts on primary / first school choice please!!
The town we live in is rather unique in that it is historically a 3 tier school system but some schools have recently changed so we now also have the option of a 2 tier system. This means our choice of school also determines which system our DD be put through.
School 1 still is in the 3 tier system (so reception - Y4). It's about 5 min drive away in a beautiful rural setting, CofE, single form entry with class size of 30 so total of 150 kids. Ofsted is Outstanding although last inspection was over 10 years ago but same head teacher still in charge. It has a good reputation and demand for places is high. When we visited, I really liked the head teacher and the other teachers we spoke with. The children were happy and it seemed a very calm place. However it did seem quite claustrophobic to me with the building consisting of not much else apart from the 5 classrooms. They use the neighbouring church and community hall for extra space. It's unlikely any of DD nursery friends would attend. In addition its rural location means that when the children leave at the end of Y4 they all go to different middle schools in different towns so highly likely some of DDs friend would go a different school to her. We understand the usual cons of a smaller schools and they would apply here.
School 2 is our local school and recently changed from 3 tier to 2 tier. It's within walking distance and 2 form entry of 60 so total of around 400 kids. Most of DD nursery friends will be going there. Ofsted from 2016 was Good but new head teacher appointed in 2017 after the last one retired. It too has a good reputation and demand for places is also high. A new building was finished in 2017 to support the expansion and it's a fantastic facility and used by reception and Y1. All the school seemed spacious and bright and plenty of extra-curricular activities are on offer. At the end of Y6 most of the kids would move to the same highly regarded secondary school. We didn't like the head teacher quite as much as school 1 but other people we have spoke to have told us she is very approachable are impressed.
We have friends who send the children to both schools and all are happy with their choice. Our DD is fairly quiet but has shown she is capable of making friends whereever she goes. However she has bonded very closely with a 3 or 4 other girls at nursery who would all be going to school 2.
Originally we had set our sights on school 1 and have been attending the church for the last 18 months to ensure we get a place. We thought a smaller school would suit DD better and with it's good reputation and results thought it'd be a no-brainer. I went through the 3-tier system and was very much set on our DD following the same path. However visiting the schools has made the decision less straightforward. School 2 is obviously much bigger but it's still not a big school if you see what I mean. After looking into the 2 tier system more I understand it brings its own benefits. With school 1 there are questions about which middle and high schools DD would subsequently attend whereas with school 2 there is an obvious path to the (very good) secondary school. The fact school 2 is more local and only 5 mins walk away is a big positive too.
I know we're actually very lucky to be able to choose between these schools and be pretty much guarenteed a place at whichever we put as 1st choice, but I'm overthinking things so a bit of perspective would be appreciated!