Hello,
I am in the middle of a 'educational crisis'! My older D is attending Y1 in an outstanding primary in South Hackney. We found out she is developing anxiety and realised that the school is very strict and also the level of education in our opinion is def. not outstanding. Now, I am aware part of the rules are common in state schools with 30 kids, but does she really has to wee in her pants on the way back home because she is not allowed to go to the toilet before home time? Or complaining she was thirsty as it was boiling hot during phonics and not allowed to drink water? She is not challenged and every time she askes questions she says the teacher never replies as she is too busy. The communication with the school is very poor too. She is very creative and we are worried that the school's priorities are the usual math and English.
Now, we would like to move her and we are also open to independent non-selective schools (lower side of fees). We either find alternatives in our area (a small nurturing state school? a child-led independent?) Or we are happy to move, the areas we are thinking of are Richmond/ Dulwich/Nuhhead/TelegraphHill or even Surrey. Any advice and experience would be highly appreciated. Thanks a lot