Which primary school to pick for choices 1&2

[Intotheebyss]

We have a choice of 2 primaries which are both 0.5 mile walk from our house. Both good schools with positive reviews, and both offer wraparound care which is important for us. Here are the key differences:

School a) 2 form entry, community feel, more affluent catchment area, meant to be more academic, slightly run down building, lots of green space as built on edge of a wooded area, PTA have had some difficulties but seem to be on track now, in a quiet residential area & street which closes every morning between 8.50-9.10, holiday club is off site at different school

school b) 3 form entry more typical city primary schools, better facilities and funding, more access to extra curricular activities, holiday club on-site, smaller outside space to school a but better and more up to date outdoor facilities, more diverse demographic and more culturally rich, active PTA, good prep for secondary school.

School A was always our first preference but then I went to see school B & I’m now confused! I’ve seen them both & I’m sure would offer great education, I’m just not sure what my gut is telling me. Any experience / thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you!

• is the street closure a problem for you or will you be walking?
• better access to clubs... do you mean more, or that overall there is more places?

@TickingAlongNicely thank you. Road closure not a problem as we will be walking. School clubs I think just more of them at school b

B for me. Wraparound being onsite is more convenient, better facilities and being more diverse are also huge pluses.

If they are the only points separating them, I'd say go for B but be happy knowing you'll also be very happy/satisfied if you get given A instead.

Basically it sounds like you have 2 very good options. Many don't even get one so you're in a win win situation if you get given either one.

thank you, I’m also leaning towards b. Something about school a being in an affluent area with some apparent snobbery puts me off too

Have you checked thei performance data of both schools on the gov website? If keen on academics I would be checking that out. If cultural diversity is a higher priority to you then go for option B. Don't be swayed by age of the building.

Is school B also in a quiet residential area or is it on a busier road? I’d also consider what the walk to school is like at both schools, whether you have to go on high traffic roads etc.

@SneakyScarves school B is on a main road, but the walk is on fairly quiet side roads. But would need to cross the main road to get to the school. There are pedestrian crossings though…

When they are 9/10, would you be happy with both walks alone?

Thinking forward to when your DC is year 5/6 which one would be safer for them to walk alone?
My DD is year 5 and walks with a friend, we are 5 mins walk with no busy roads - she wouldn't be able to do this if it was busier

Also did your DC have a preference? Anyone you know going to either school from nursery etc?

Good points about walking alone in years 5&6. I think I would we happy for her to walk alone to both schools but I’ll have to think that one over as school b would need to navigate pedestrian crossings & traffic lights. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

@user2848502016 good point. None of her nursery pals will be going to either school as we’re in a different area. DD started at school A for preschool in September but the transition was so hard and I’d not long had our second baby so we ended up keeping her at her private nursery for another year. So I’m not sure how she feels about school A now as she was very upset with the transition and now when we walk past says that she doesn’t want to go. Not sure if she’ll remember all of that by next September but there’s a chance she will

Ah bless her, school B might be better then so it doesn't have any bad memories!