Regrets over choice of primary school

[schooldilemna]

Has anyone ever had this? DD is only 1 week in but having second thoughts already. School A is very academic lots of extra curricular activities and pushes bright kids 10mins drive away. Not much outdoor space but very enthusiastic and kind teaching staff. Chose this as it appealed to me at the time. Now with Covid a lot of those extra activities have gone, no after school club and suddenly it doesn't seem very appealing. A lot of the children aren't very similar to DD and I can't imagine she would have an easy time making friends there, it's very cliquey. School B is not as strong academically but 3 min walk away with lots of children who are very similar to DD so I can imagine she will make friends very easily. Parents also very similar to us. Would it be crazy to switch schools so quickly only 1 week into term or is it best to do it now before friendships are made etc. How important is academics at primary school level?

No if you want to do it I’d do it now. Someone I know did this and hasn’t looked back.

Sorry I didn’t answer your question about academics....I think at this age it’s more what will be a better fit for your child. If it’s like our school (which is large) they separate kids for certain subjects according to ability. We have a very academic, results focussed primary school locally to us and I don’t hear great things about it. The parents feel there’s too much pressure on the kids at a very young age. Some
Children thrive on this but others don’t. Do what you think is best for your child now

I think the advantages of going to a school that is only 3 mins walk away are huge. I also think there are massive advantages to going to a non pushy primary, so I would have chosen school B in the first place!

I would also have chosen school B in the first place - the benefits of a local school where she's likely to find children like her far outweigh "better academics" - for which there is a high correlation between parental education and input anyway.

Only question is -does school B actually have a place?

Yep I think I dropped the ball on that one. I checked today and school
B definitely has spaces

Yes do the other school. At primary you can sort out the academics yourself from year 3 and ensure your child does not miss out academically.

Yep I did - alarm bells rang from the start but we lasted reception year to check it was actually stuff that was really concerning for me and not just me being overly protective - but I had a really unhappy child who just didn't fit in there at all and so in the end we moved her for year 1. She's never looked back - made an awesome little group of friends and is absolutely flying academically - but not in terms of being taught by rote to pass the tests and practice practice practice tests, but by some fantastic teaching that really engaged and inspired her.

I moved my dd four weeks into term when she started reception. She took it completely in her stride and I think she just thought it was finished. That she'd done that activity and now she was going to do something else.

Oh OP I feel for you! I was in exactly the same situation last year. School A highly academic and pushy, 10 minutes drive. School B just down the road and much more nurturing.

I put school A down as first choice and go it.... I cried!! I spent all summer on the waiting list for school B, and amazingly got a place at school B before term started. I was thrilled and my son started School B last year. It's fab

Follow your gut. If they have a space then go for it x

I think I'd switch in your position. You're only 1 week in it won't take her long to settle into the new school and it sounds like a better fit.

Move fast

You have to take the place. Did you take it OP? Good luck

Do what your gut tells you! Good luck