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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

how far do you travel to school every day?

37 replies

AllieJubJub · 10/07/2007 12:41

i currently take ds to primary school which is 5 miles away. He will be in year 3 in september. when he leaves in 2 yrs, dd will start reception. my problem is, that we have moved from the village where the school is, and there is a primary school within walking distance of our house. it has just had an appaling ofsted report, has combined years, and according to a friend who has just removed her 2 from there, a large percentage of children with behavioural problems, hence a large amount of children being excluded on a regular basis. now i'm worrying about sending her there. should i commute for another 9 years to the fantastic school where ds, which takes about 15 mins in the morning, or keep her in the village where we are so that she can make local friends? Some honest opinion [please cos i'm worrying so much i cannot think straight

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Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 12:45

or should we move back there?

NKF · 10/07/2007 12:47

Fifteen minutes isn't that far. Do you mean a 15 minute walk?

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 12:48

no , drive. it's 5 miles, so 20 miles a day there and back twice

NKF · 10/07/2007 12:50

I think I'd leave her where he is. Drive is a bore though.

NKF · 10/07/2007 12:50

She is. That's what I meant of course.

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 12:51

she wouldn't start for another 2 years..... the drive isn't too bad. we usually drop dh off at work on the way. it depends how may horses are on the blinking road

Reallytired · 10/07/2007 12:54

Is there not another school that is closer or do you live out in the countryside? Where has your friend sent her children to school.

If the school has a really appaling OFSTED I would not pick it unless there is truely no other choice.

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 12:56

they have gone private. they are minted. we do like in a village, and there is a small town between here and ds school. there is only one school there I would send her to, but it is in a different county, as they town is half in suffolk and half cambs. I will put her name down, but i know it can be very hard to get into if you are not in catchment.

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 12:57

my spelling and typing is appalling today

Lilymaid · 10/07/2007 13:08

I used to take DS2 about 3.5 miles a day for four years to school in next village (not so far away from you in South Cambs). It can be quite a chore - fortunately DH works in that village and there were a couple of other families in my village that sent their DCs there too. Don't forget all the after school activities/play dates etc that will mean going up and down to that school even more times per day.

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 13:08

thanks for your posts. more please so i can show dh that i am not bonkers

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 13:09

I think i am lucky lilymaid as ds's friends parents often will collect them. the only after school club there is beavers, and one of the mums has him before hand every week for me. i have a nice network of friends there also

talcy0 · 10/07/2007 13:10

10 min walk atm to school

will be 15 min walk in september to new school

KTeePee · 10/07/2007 13:16

Mine go to a school which is about 2 miles away, takes 5-10 minutes depending on traffic (but I am out of the house for 30 minutes or more, depending on how long I spend chatting at the gates!) I don't mind the drive, though it would be nice to be closer and hence able to walk to school.....mainly because of the problem finding a parking space when I get back home.

Because there are a lot of small primary schools in our town (with single form entry) I have found that the families on our road send their children to about 5 different schools. Mine don't have any school friends living on the same street but I don't feel it is an issue - it can be an advantage imo to have friends that are not school friends, iyswim

chocolateteapot · 10/07/2007 13:19

3 minutes walk at the moment, but probably about 25 minute drive as of Monday as we're moving. The place we are going is supposed to be temporary but we are contemplating staying there if I can cope with the driving. When DD gets to Middle school the children are all scattered anyway as it's pretty rural. There is absolutely no way she will be going to the local school.

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 13:36

thanks

tobysmumkent · 10/07/2007 14:31

Message withdrawn

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 14:59

yes it does. I will keep ds there as he only has 2 years left as we are on a 3 tier system and he will got to middle school. I have been ringing around and have had a chat 2 schools in the nearest town (only 1mile and a half away) and they will send me a pack and then I just have to apply and cross my fingers and hope for the best

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 16:12

thomcat · 10/07/2007 16:16

I get in the car about 8.30am and get to school about 8.45. if I walked it I'd have to leave at least 30 minutes to get there.

ChasingSquirrels · 10/07/2007 16:18

how is the move away from middle schools going to affect it? It all seems to have gone quiet but I would have thought it would affect your dd if you stick in suffolk? and maybe your ds while at middle school?

my boss sent his eldest to exning, then onto st felix, his youngest is at moulton. they are debating what to do re upper/secondary school.

my friend teaches at st felix, and has had alot to say about the amalgamations, but not heard whats happening recently.

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 17:05

you are talking about most of the schools i have mentioned. how very odd and slightly scary. the amalgamations of schools will take place when ds is at middle school. it affects dd as if i take her to the school further away i will end up driving there for the extra 2 years. where are you squirrels, and can you see me now?

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 17:05

oh, and who is your boss?

Alliebongo · 10/07/2007 18:54

ChasingSquirrels · 10/07/2007 19:17

yeah, you have introduced yourself to me (before you moved) but I have changed name since then, I am nr to Burwell, better not say who my boss in . I can't see you from here, you have gone to the other side of n'market haven't you?

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