WWYD?

[QueSeraSeraWhateverWillBeWillB]

Hello!

We are moving house and need to make a decision about which school to send our 4 year old to in September. In a bit of a pickle so any opinions would be welcomed!

School 1: very small (9 children in the year). Idyllic location, incredibly warm and nurturing, seems to look at each child very much as an individual. Have only heard amazing things about it. Good Ofsted recently. 15 mins drive. A very good friend is also going there.

School 2: increasing intake from 45-60. Currently has 2 classes of 21/22 but this is likely to increase due to new houses in the area. Seems a warm friendly place. Outstanding ofsted about 5 years ago. Good facilities. 20 mins walk, won’t know anyone there. We are new to the area so may help us integrate more into the community?

Aren't they going to shut down the little school? Or maybe they join 2 year groups together?

I think I'd prefer that bigger school as it's closer and there will be more friendship opportunities for DC and yourself.

I'd look at the website below, though, to see progress scores and attainment to make sure the schools are indeed as lovely as they seem.
www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/find-a-school-in-england

Are these state schools? School one sounds way too small to be viable; they must be running composite classes of 3 year groups and even then funding will be stretched.

I would go school 2.

School 1 sounds anything but idyllic 9 children is stifling for a 4 year old. Try thinking logically and image how hard it would be to be stuck with the same 9 children for your entire primary school days.

I would say school 2 sounds perfect its closer and would make you feel like part of the community. Your son would be able to play with his friends at the weekend or in holidays and it is much more likely that he will be able to do clubs and other activities at the larger school.

School 2 offers more friendship opportunities .

We go to a tiny school and it is friendly and idyllic. But some of the year groups only have 4 and it's very difficult socially.

School 2 for all the reasons above. It will definitely help you to feel part of your new community, will be much better-funded (and thus more likely to weather the storms of the funding crisis). More children to choose friends from. My DDs are at our local 2 form primary (ie 60 kids per year) and it's a great size of school.

2
1 is too small and while it won’t matter in Reception by Y2/3 the dc do tend to play mostly with their own sex so possibly only 2 or 3 bffs
I know people who have been in that position and ended up changing schools. I would also worry about mixed year classes and if the school stays open

Isn't there a more local school? Travelling means you won't be an integral part of the community.

My friend just moved her daughter from a school that sounds identical to school 1 because of friendship issues. I went to a similar school as a child and hated it, because of friendship issues. Plus, I'd be worried about the long term viability of such a small school.

Thanks for all your thoughts. We have a place at school 1 but have done a late application for school 2, for the reasons you’ve all mentioned. Really helpful to get other people’s views!

DD was at a small school - 12 per year group. 12 children split into 2 friendship groups, DD wasn't liked by either. She is now at a school with 60 per year and has a large friendship group.She still has people she isn't friends with obviously because everyone has people they don't get on with but it doesn't matter because there are lots of people to choose from.

Small school also won't have as many facilities/as much funding for things, or as many opportunities. So like my school has a minibus, old school couldn't afford one so couldn't get children to various local things without parents taking time off work. We can book a first aid workshop or an artist or whatever for the day because they charge by time not number of children. The PTA can put on giant fireworks displays and whatever because there are the parents to support it.

School 2. We have found many upsides to bigger schools, especially as children get bigger.

School 1 might be amazing but it's riskier, and you're foregoing one of the big advantages of state schooling which is getting to know a load of people locally. But, it sounds like you have 2 good options and I've seen lots of children transfer happily at various times through primary. Neither choice necessarily has to be forever.

School 2 - both for the size but also the fact you can walk there.