Help - which primary school?

[rolypoly836]

Yup, another one of these but just need to write my thoughts down and was hoping you might have some words of advice?

My DD starts school Sept 24 and we have to apply by this weekend.

I wanted to love our local catchment school but I just didn't after our visits (we've been twice). If doesn't have a great reputation, they have no TAs, it's in a less desirable area. The headteacher is on long term sick. The deputy who showed us around said since covid their results and student learning isn't great. Positives are that it's 10 min walk/2 min drive. I wouldn't walk her to school anyway as I'd be on my way to work. The facilities seemed really good and I know from a friend they take them swimming. It has a great breakfast and after school club as well as holiday club. Which we will need. My daughter will know a few going from the local nursery. It's rated as Good but the deputy almost said she thinks their next ofsted wouldn't be great when I asked?!

The other school was one we only visited as a back up but we loved it! I couldn't stop smiling walking round it. It felt very nurturing and friendly and there were great facilities. It would be a 10 minute drive (on my way to work but around a horrendous 1-way system!) Also rated as Good, but had a much nicer feel to it than our catchment one. PAN 60 as well. I think my daughter will know a couple going.

My daughter has attended nursery since the age of 1 and therefore she is pretty confident, likes making friends, is ready for school and I think would settle at either school too really.

We'd be guaranteed a place at our catchment school. Looking at the previous two years data, I also think we have an ok-ish chance of her getting into our preferred choice.

The other thing to mention is I have a younger daughter who is three years younger. If it was just DD1 to think about, I wouldn't be questioning it and would apply for our favourite. But the thought of her not getting in in 2026 and them being at different schools makes me panic! It really feels like our preferred school is on the up and I just don't know if it's worth the rush of DD2 not getting in.

I know no one can tell me what I should do but would welcome thoughts. Thank you.

Just to add, preferred choice also has breakfast and after school club

Just put your preferred school as first choice and the local one second. If you don’t get into the first it sounds like you’d be guaranteed a place at the local one and you can be on the waiting list over the summer term for the first. Waiting lists do move, especially for a 60 intake so even if you missed out by 1 or 2 places you might be lucky and get in.

Far better to choose the one you really like and have a fair chance of getting in.

Sorry if this is a silly question, but if she's starting in September 2024, why do you need to decide now?

You may as well put your preferred school as first choice and your backup school second, if that's your genuine preference. Would the extra driving distance be a real drawback, with traffic etc?

Most schools have "sibling priority" so your younger DD will almost certainly get in if the older one is already installed. But check this with the school or your local authority.

One thing - it may turn out to be inconvenient if the kids can't walk themselves to school once they're older.

How high up the criteria are siblings? Does distance come above sibling link or not?
We also had a choice between closest school and one we liked much better, further away. Went with the one we liked much better and have never regretted it. But in our LA sibling link comes above distance, so once DC1 was in, we were pretty much guaranteed a place for DC2.

Apply for the one you really like. If you get in this year it's likely you'll get in again.

Why are you applying now for sept 24?

Sorry! Sept 23! I always confuse my years in January!

Does preferred school have a sibling criterion? If so then there's nothing to worry about DD2 getting in.

So the LA priority is:

1. EHCP/Looked after
2. Catchment kids with a sibling
3. Catchment kids
4. Non catchment with a sibling
5. Other non-catchment

Also distance within each category

So we'd be fourth priority with our second.

Thank you also for the comment on them not being able to walk to school when older. Hadn't considered that.

I’d take a look back at the stats and check the likelihood of getting your second in. At our school siblings out of catchment get in about 75% of the time, but it causes chaos when they don’t as all local schools are full (a lot come from out of the area which means they are always full, even if kids are from quite a distance away) so there’s much less scope to get both siblings in the same school at that point.

I’ve seen it happen and there’s always a few frazzled parents, and that’s just two schools in the same village let alone a decent drive apart!

It's also worth considering how likely it is that you will still be working at the same place for the next 7-9 years. If you take a different job in the opposite direction, the commute to your preferred school will become a nightmare.