Catchment school or the school I work at

[TeddyBeans]

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

@bunnytheegghunter sorry I might not have made clear that he's 3, I'm applying for his primary school

We had a teacher who brought her dd into school from their neighbouring hometown. It was quite upsetting that he was the only one from the 3 form entry who didn't have a place at the secondary school. He had to start secondary knowing nobody. I guess it depends how easy they find it to make friends.

@CoronaPeroni finishing at 1.30 includes lunch duties 😊 I'd only be 2 hours down each day. Without working it out though I couldn't tell you if the loss of income would be cheaper than a childminder

@TeddyBeans I'm sorry I assumed secondary school 🙈🙈 is there a nursery near to the local school that runs an after school club? That's what I use for my primary school aged children?

@bunnytheegghunter I've only seen after-school clubs run by the schools themselves around here but it's definitely something to look into, thank you

We wanted our children to go to the local school. I worked there when we had DC1 - and left before she started so that she would not be Ms Fal's child. Over the years, and three children later, it was definitely the right decision.
It has cost a LOT of money in childcare - we used childminders, then employed a nanny and now just use the breakfast/after school club for DC3. It was still the right decision.
I have friends who have opted to get their children into their own school (both where my DC went/go and at the school where I now teach) and almost without exception it has had a negative impact on the child/children with regards to play dates and friendships as they are not only not-local but their mum is a teacher and that does put off some parents!
Explore childminders or alternative after school provision. The school is likely able to put you in touch with the PTA who may have more advice on childcare for working parents if there isn't a school-run program.
Good luck!

Also, as you are a TA, I would suggest you could save costs my seeing if a future position comes up in the/a local school.
If I had to make a choice (from experience), I would think it is better for a child to go to a local school where a parent also works than to go to a non-catchment school where a parent works.
The priority should be on what will be best for the child and I personally think that would be being able to have local friends and, when older, being able to see those friends independently.

@falgelednl thank you, definitely some food for thought there

I'd not base a child's schooling on a TA job. Jobs can be cut at any time.

@unknownstory

I'd not base a child's schooling on a TA job. Jobs can be cut at any time.

Exactly

For me… the best school for my child drives everything.

Local school 100%

You can't guarantee that you will always work at that school

He will make friends who live next to him so he can go out to play after school etc

In the past I had the same dilemma you have now, except school I worked in was Outstanding and catchment school Good. I drove to work so no train journeys. I chose to put youngest son in my school for secondary school. He made close friends there quite quickly. He was a sporty child and sporting opportunities were far better at my school. He kept links with his previous best friend and one or two others at weekends. He had to get to school early by 7.30 every morning with me but he just did his homework then. I went in early and left early, an hour after school over at 4.30pm. He did a club or sports on hour he had to wait for me. I made him commitment to stay at school until he left, which I did. He is adult now but still goes out with best friend from primary he lives close to and friends from my school.

Catchment school and a childminder.

Childminder will cost about £4-£5 an hour and you can get 20% off through a tax free childcare account.

OP who has your child currently whilst you / partner work? I'm confused as you work now so he must already do some where that costs money?

@unknownstory he goes to nursery 9-4 Monday-Wednesday. I drop him at my mum's on my way to work and she takes him to nursery and I pick him up. Thursday and Friday she has him all morning and my dad looks after him for an hour or so between when mum goes to work in the afternoon and me getting home. My dad's registered blind so I can't ask him to go and pick DS up from school, it wouldn't be safe for him or DS

Local school all the way and look for local childminders or after school clubs.

Being the child of a teacher at your school is really hard whatever age it is. If possible avoid at all costs.

A CM for after school should definitely cost less than 3 days nursery. My CM used to pick up loads of teachers’ and TA’s children, she had a term-time rate.

OP that makes it clearer. Hopefully your mum can help with morning school run to local school then. If she can't pick him up, a CM will do it. If you are paying some money for nursery now, maybe it will balance out?

My friend has just moved her DD out of her school after starting her in reception there 🥴 She wasn’t sure it was a great idea & it really hasn’t been. Her child’s behaviour was really poor whenever she was around (small school, so fairly often) & if she was told off or hurt etc, she’d just cry for her mum as she knew she was nearby! In the end, the head & her sat down and agreed it wasn’t working for her. So she’s moved her to the local school & she’s doing so much better! Behaviour is good & she’s far more settled and independent!

Just a thought to consider 🙈 been a bit of an upheaval for them & really expensive buying a whole new uniform 😬

I get 30 hour funding for him so his nursery doesn't cost me anything. I think I've had such an easy time of it that the idea of spending money on someone to look after him is a bit of a shock to the system

@Bobholll thank you for that POV, I hadn't considered his behaviour knowing I'd be around somewhere 🤔

@TeddyBeans yes you've been incredibly lucky to get family help & a nursery with no top up fees then.
Those using private nurseries would have been used to £40-60 day before age three and still a chunk afterwards.
But his happiness may have to come with a price now