I am a terrible pre emptive bore but...

[JakesMum05]

There are 2 schools near us that i think we could probably get DS into. Neither is private or the best school in the area but they are close.

What do i look at for how good they are ?

From year on year results off the internet i can see that one has better results but a bigger intake each year. The other has fewer children but not as good results. My friends, who have children that are my DSs 'friends' are going to the better, more kids school (one has a sibling, one is much closer.) And i would like him to be with them as we naively fantasise that they will be friends for life !!

Also, is it wrong to send a child from a non religious family to a C of E school when i know they will teach him things we don't necessarily believe in and do we contradict school or let him make his own mind up ?

Is a bright child a bright child at a less good school ?

You do all you can while they are 'yours' but once they go to school, it's up to someone else and i am (too soon) worrying about him being led astray (which i foolishly think may be more likely at a county primary than a C of E)

Please note my DH and I went to county primarys and are perfectly nice and normal and were not led astray but times seem to have changed so much.

Also I am not crazed and thinking about this day and night but you are all so good on here and i'd appreciate any info from those with a similar neurosis or older children and experience of the dilemma or results of such.

(So sorry, i do go on.)

Which one is the CofE one? The big or small?

You need to see the schools to really get a feel for them, would be my advice. Ring them up and ask if you can visit. And tbh I would make sure that they have the childrens welfare at the forefront. My ds thrived academically at middle school because they were so nurturing.

The CofE one is the one with the higher intake.

Go and visit them. And maybe even look at another one (that you won't be applying to) if you have time, to get a feel for the differences. You will see more difference than you might ever imagine.

is there any difference later on, ie does one 'feed' into a different school from the other?

On the CoE question - it depends whether it is a big deal for you, and it depends whether it is a very expressly religious school or not.

If the schools both seem good and you like them both, then pick the one that's closer! there is a lot to be said for having good friends out of school, I think it gives a child more sense of themselves and can be a break from school experiences.