Small school quandary

[Elzibells]

Background is DC is due to start school in September. We live in a very rural area with these 2 schools being the closest.

School A has 60 pupils in the school. DC would be one of 8 in her year group. 10 minute drive away. School hall. School field. Seems to have lots of facilites but something feels off. Also concerned about the drive as it's on a 60mph windy country road.

School B has 20 pupils in the school. DC would be one of 4 in her year group. 2 minute walk away. No school hall or field, just a small playground. Worried about lack of facilities and friendship opportunities. While this one would suit her for reception, year one and two, I'm worried it might become claustrophobic and boring.

Both were rated good by Ofsted. I'm generally anxious about the school start and wonder if this is overshadowing my decision making. DC is very sociable, articulate for her age and seems to be most comfortable when getting one on one attention.
I haven't been through this process before. What should I focus on to help make a decision and which one would you go for?

@NNeedanewname42 I don't believe it's at threat of closure but is there a way of finding out?

Then I would send her to school A. Starting school is already a big deal, it would be awful for her to just suddenly turn up at a different school.

What do you think happens when pupils move house over the summer holidays?! It’s definitely not too late to change, the admissions department most likely work year round. The only issue would be if the preferred school was full, but given the sizes that’s exceptionally unlikely.

Neither school sounds like a good option, but not sure how you’ve got this close to your child starting to be having these debates. I wouldn’t be living anywhere where those were my only options

Out of the options you've given, I'd choose A without a doubt. But both schools are far too small for me to choose, I'd be looking for a School C even if I had to drive further to get to it.

Our village school has a half form intake and I'm probably not even applying to it as I think it's way too small. One form entry would be my minimum and even then I find it claustrophobic.

My kids went/go to a school with around 40-50 pupils across 2 or 3 classes depending on how many are in the school. It feels very much like a community where everyone knows everyone and families are very involved with school life. Kids mix with others of different ages which I think is a good thing tbh and the teaching is done in a way that makes tasks adaptable to different levels, which is/was good for us as I have one academically ahead child and one who struggles with writing. Friendship wise there is a limited choice but my kids are ND and struggle with this generally, a smaller, mixed age group, works well for them in this regard.

You obviously have doubts about the travel. I think the 2min walk will be less stressful, also means she can walk herself as she get older.

Even if your working from home, disappearing for 30min in the middle of the afternoon is a PITA.

If the council do decide the school isn't viable they will then lay on transport.
I'd Google proposed school closures.

Have the schools broken up yet? I'd maybe give them a call. What about her nursery friends are any of them going to the local school?

A

B is too small and tbh prob close

Whats further then 10 min school is there a C with 20min drive

Seems Crazy such small schools

Mini blondes has 3 classes per year so 90 intake if all full. Think has 27 in here at moment due to kids leaving to go private

So over the school 90 x 7 years so could have 630 children

Do either school belong to a MAT? So share resources, do activities with other schools?

Small schools get extra funding.

@Blondeshavemorefun in rural areas small schools are the norm. Village schools round here regularly have fewer than 50 pupils in them, some closer to 30.

Its worth bearing in mind that very small schools can tend to attract a higher number of children with additional needs. That might be a plus factor for you, but its something to think about when you are looking at very small peer groups. What can be amazing at infants ages can be very limiting by years 5 and 6. The other issue is that you are highly dependent on a very small number of teachers, who have to wear lots of different hats. You are reliant on them doing an amazing job - there is not much back up for them at such a small school.

That's seems madness to me (Sorry)

Surely better for 3/4 villages to all have one school and slightly bigger classes

What local for them for secondary or have to travel 30mins

Definitely A. With no facilities, how does B even do PE etc when it rains, which is most of six months of the year? How can they even play any sort of team sport with that few kids or have a choir or orchestra or anything? Also 4 in a year is just too small from a friendship perspective. Plus, you don't gel with the teacher she'll be stuck with them for years.

All depends how far apart villages are.Op has said the roads aren't gritted in winter. That might play a factor in keeping the school open. Council would need to grit and consider upgrading the road if they are planning to have children being transported along it.

It's also well known that once a village loses its school it becomes a less attractive place for young couples and families to be.
Then other things start to die off.

Op I think you should go along and speak to the local school.
Ask questions about sports games and links with other schools.

Being reliant on the car is a PITA and you never know the day when the car is off the road (broken down, puncture, accident) or your off the road (injury, illness etc)

I'm 10min drive from my kids school and it's a PITA we do have a bus thankfully but there are certainly days I'd be stuck without the bus.

With the friends thing...

Whats better... a smaller group of friends, but they all live In the vullage

Or a slightly larger group, but spread across a much larger area, so harder for meet ups etc?

B sounds way too tiny. How do they do sports day with no school field? I’d be surprised if B even remained open for much longer with school A being close by. It’s not ideal for friendships to only have 20 kids in an entire school

Thanks, found this particularly helpful, hadn't really considered the teachers.

Another particularly helpful one, thanks, so much to think about.

Thanks for all the replies. Lots of points raised and some I hadn't thought about, so much to consider.

When we applied in January I thought that DD having lots of one on one with teachers was top priority but since January she has become very friend focused and I now realise that she's going to be limited for friendship in both schools. She's an only child and I think friends and socialising are likely to be of great importance to her.

There is another larger primary school in the next town, 25+ per year, 220 pupils in school, and a straightforward school run albeit slightly longer. I think this may be a better fit.

We were both moved around multiple primary schools and found it very disruptive so are trying to avoid this for DD but it's also putting pressure on us to make the right decision.

There is another larger primary school in the next town, 25+ per year, 220 pupils in school, and a straightforward school run albeit slightly longer. I think this may be a better fit.

This sounds perfect. I would seriously consider trying to get her a place at the bigger school. Compared to many it's still pretty small but out of all 3 this sounds like the best choice for her long term.

When we applied in January I thought that DD having lots of one on one with teachers was top priority but

Woukd she get that 1:1 though? I know there aren’t many in a year group but how big are the classes? A class of 28 where the teacher is attempting to teach every subject to Year R, 1, 2 and 3 across the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 curriculum(s), is not going to have much time to spare for anyone!

Op are you in Scotland or England?

In Scotland if there are more than 3 or more year groups in a class the max number of pupils is 19
Two year groups the max is 25

I would ask the school how they do PE. It wouldn't surprise me if they have a sliding screen between two class rooms and open it up.

I can definitely see advantages to be able to walk to / from school. And knowing the other village children. Especially in winter and especially if you are in a remote area.

I'd start Reception at the nearer school, with a view to swapping once it was no longer working. I think gut feeling is important with schools and you felt uneasy about the other one.

There is another larger primary school in the next town, 25+ per year, 220 pupils in school, and a straightforward school run albeit slightly longer. I think this may be a better fit.

That sounds a much better option
I'd definitely be asking to visit this week and enquiring if there is still space in Reception for September.