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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

Catchment school or the school I work at

72 replies

TeddyBeans · 07/11/2021 08:09

Sorry this is going to be a long one... Help! I'm having a huge dilemma about DS' school place for September 2022. We live 10ish miles away from the school I work at so would mean train trips with me for DS every day. Our catchment school is on the next road from where we live.

I'm really struggling with what would be best for DS. We've visited both schools and he loved them equally. If we were to send him to the catchment school, my partner would have to drop him in the morning as I'd already have left for work and I'd have to drop my hours to part time to get back to pick DS up as there's no after school club. But he would live in the same area as all his friends which would make playdates easier and he'd probably go to the same high school as his friends in years to come.

If he came to my school, it would mean childcare wasn't an issue, my partner could go to work earlier and get to spend more of the evenings with us (he works for his family company so a good level of flexibility), I could go back to full time hours and I trust the staff to ensure he really excels in his learning.

The issue with my school is if I decided I wanted to move on I would have to change DS' school which is something I'd like to avoid if at all possible. His friends would be 10+ miles away which would make playdates difficult and he'd probably not go to high school with them.

I really don't know what to do for the best. I want to make the best choice for DS but I have no idea what that is. There's also no guarantee he'd get in at my school as children of staff are only 7th on the priority list

OP posts:

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ChalfontPark · 07/11/2021 08:59

Catchment school every time. It's lovely for you and moreover for your child being part of a local community.

Howshouldibehave · 07/11/2021 09:02

I would go for the local school and a childminder. You having to go part time sounds extreme! Are you a teacher-is that even possible in your role?

Ten mile train journeys for a reception child every morning sounds like a nightmare

PathOfLeastResitance · 07/11/2021 09:07

Personally I wouldn’t want to work at the same place that my children went to. I want them to be known as themselves and not Mrs Paths child. It also makes play dates awkward and staff room chat could be awkward too. I’d go for catchment for the very good reasons that you have stated and find a childminder.

IAAP · 07/11/2021 09:13

Local schools and you are in an ideal position to team up with other parents eg can you drop and pick up my child Monday to Friday and I will have them for half term? Many schools have breakfast clubs and after school sports clubs as well.

RobinPenguins · 07/11/2021 09:15

I would never send DD to the school DH teaches at. If it’s one we really wanted her to go to, he’d have to change jobs. I think it puts the kids in a really difficult position.

For the other reasons in your case I think local sounds the best bet anyway.

IslaPineappple · 07/11/2021 09:20

Local then get a Job there

OVienna · 07/11/2021 09:26

What a delimma, OP.

What is the availability of after school childminders like if you choose the local school? In making a decision for my own children I couldn't have just taken it for granted someone would be available. They could well live someplace that, without a car, is a nightmare to collect from. I'd try to figure this bit out as a matter if priority, as well as what it would cost. Dropping down to part time seems a fairly drastic solution.

Are the holiday terms different?

The train commute is long for a child in the early years of primary school.

I also think the transition to secondary would be harder if you have to revert to a catchment school where you live.

Is a new role for you out of the question?

saraclara · 07/11/2021 09:28

Don't make him have to sit in your classroom alone for an hour before and after school every day. It would be painful for him and irritating for your colleagues.

As he gets older he'll want to be with his friends after school, not sitting in your classroom and then having a long journey home. There isn't a single positive for him in attending your school. Only for you. It's entirely negative for him.

Whattodo121 · 07/11/2021 09:41

I worked at an independent school 20 miles away when ds was from preschool to end of year 2. Parties were a nightmare as they were often 10 miles in the other direction from school so a 60 mile round trip for a 5 year olds party. But you want them to go because it’s important for them to have friends. There were lots of positives-small classes, lovely colleagues etc. First two years were brilliant but then My work situation deteriorated massively and I was bullied out, meaning I had to move DS at the end of year 2 when I got another job. He got put in a school 6 miles away (so an improvement!) then bloody covid hit 6 months in. We’ve since moved house to into catchment for his current school and secondary so he doesn’t have to move again later. I would stick local. It was very traumatic for all of us!

TheNumberfaker · 07/11/2021 09:48

Definitely local school and sort out a childminder.

SinoohXaenaHide · 07/11/2021 09:51

A school close by is always best unless it's a failing school. There may be childminders who can do after school pickup and care to enable you to keep full time?

OVienna · 07/11/2021 10:22

If your child is in a local school but with a childminder every afternoon there won't be much in the way of after school playdates anyway.

I think you need more information in order to make a call here. Availability/affordability of after school care (needs to be more than one option really, in case of a change in their personal circs) is a high priority. Ability to even change your work schedule at your current school, etc.

If it were me - I'd probably be looking at another job like now or if you think the area where your school is is bettering term, then moving.

Good luck.

Original poster

TeddyBeans · 07/11/2021 16:09

Thanks all, lots of good advice here! There is a breakfast club but it would still amount to more than what the weekly train fare would be.

I'm a TA and we have a fair number of staff who finish at midday. This is the only part time agreement the school would accept, no full days off. The local school finishes at 2.30 so finishing at 1.30 would be ideal.

I need to work out my hourly wage to see if a childminder would be an option, if it costs less than the hours I would stand to lose going part time then that might work out okay. I have no idea where to start finding a childminder though? Or what sort of rates I'd be looking at.

To the poster that said about going on the school tours, DS has had a tour at both schools and was engaged with both. By comparison, when we viewed a third school, which is local but not catchment, he was completely disengaged so I wouldn't consider sending him there even though it has wrap around care

OP posts:

IHateCoronavirus · 07/11/2021 16:18

I have taught at the same school as my DC in the past and I have purposely chosen to send you gets DC to another school.
Play dates/birthday parties can be difficult when you are working in a professional role with most of the children involved.
Achievements, key roles etc are often purposely not given to the DC of staff to avoid claims of favouritism.
Finally if an issue came up in school which negatively impacted your child would you feel as comfortable addressing it as a member of staff, as you would as just a parent.

TheNumberfaker · 07/11/2021 16:40

I presumed you were a teacher, you’ll probably find that wrap around care will eat up all of your TA salary, I’m afraid. TA pay is shockingly bad. Any jobs going at your local school.? There’s no way I would have been able to pay childcare on my TA wages.

Original poster

TeddyBeans · 07/11/2021 17:15

@IHateCoronavirus some very good points, thank you

@TheNumberfaker this is what concerns me. My partner is not DS' dad so I don't expect him to fork out for my childcare bills

OP posts:

YoungGiftedPlump · 07/11/2021 17:17

Could you set up as a childminder doing before and after school?
You would earn more than as a TA.

RAOK · 07/11/2021 17:19

Catchment school. His day will be too long otherwise.

Original poster

TeddyBeans · 07/11/2021 17:22

@YoungGiftedPlump it's something I've considered but probably won't go for it until we've moved into a house. A second floor flat isn't ideal for hoardes of children to be running around in

OP posts:

bunnytheegghunter · 07/11/2021 17:23

As he is 11 would he really need a childminder? Most children at 11 are able to come home from school alone, how long after he finished school would you be home?

DietrichandDiMaggio · 07/11/2021 17:27

The best school for your son is the catchment school, although obviously there are some logistical problems to sort out. If you worked 10 miles away, but not in a school, what would you do? Have you considered getting a job closer to home?

DietrichandDiMaggio · 07/11/2021 17:34

@YoungGiftedPlump

Could you set up as a childminder doing before and after school? You would earn more than as a TA.

If I was the OP I probably would consider changing employment, but wouldn't want to change to a job that was only outside school hours, thereby giving her very little time with her own child. Also just because they both involve children, the two jobs are very different - I don't think any of the TAs I know would want to become childminders.

lentilsforever · 07/11/2021 17:35

Forgetting logistics
And catchment area

Which is the school that you think your son would thrive in?

mamaduckbone · 07/11/2021 17:40

The catchment school without a shadow of a doubt.
If you didn't want to drop to part time you could try to find a childminder who picks up from that school.

CoronaPeroni · 07/11/2021 18:01

Could you do mornings only plus lunch duties at your current school? The financial hit would not be so much that way.

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