DC in different schools

[Poodle123456]

Hi- I’ve been in a dilemma for years where my sons year for starting reception was so oversubscribed we moved him from his allocated school (that we didn’t pick) to a small village school, he’s happy there and it’s a lovely little school but it’s very small and not really how we imagined his primary school being- he only has 5 other boys in his year group, not many extra clubs and we have just found out his best friend out of the 5 boys will likely be moving schools due to a house move. We also have to drive there every day as it’s not walkable.

My daughter is about the start at the same village school in reception which she has been at in the nursery class this last year, but there are places available for her to start in our number 1 choice school, bigger school, walkable to our house and lots more going on.

We didnt originally apply for her to go to the school we wanted as we sort of just thought they ‘needed’ to go to school together, but now we are sort of changing our view on that. The idea would be we could put her in reception and then put my son on the waiting list as he’d be one of the top due to the sibling rule. It’s a 60 child year group.

The logistical side is fine both myself and husband work from home and have family support in emergencies.

My question is do we put my daughter in the school we love hoping my son eventually does get a place or just keep them both in the village school. My son is going into year 2 this year.

Thanks 😀

I would definitely put her into the bigger/nearer school and put your DS on the waiting list.

I certainly think it's worth starting your DD at the bigger, more local school as there's space, especially as you think you could manage getting them to different schools.

Have you spoken to you son about how he would feel about potentially moving? With his sister going there, his best friend likely leaving the current school and the offer of more clubs, I think you could easily sell it to him. As long as he's happy with it, I say go for it.

I'd send her to the bigger school and hope a place appears for him.

I tend to prefer bigger schools rather than very small schools anyway (60 a year sounds just right to me). I suspect the bigger school will suit him more as he gets bigger, even if he's loved the small school in infants.

Certainly well worth putting him on the waiting list, with a sixty place cohort, sibling and local connections you might get lucky and get a place quite quickly.

I am a bit surprised he isn’t already on the waiting list, but better late than never.