Which school to choose?

[Bubnbutton]

Please help! I’m so torn - chosen a school we both like. (I know we get decisions next week) but I’m now regretting my choice for a school I didn’t put down purely (I think) down to socialising/friendships. I know that’s not a reason to pick a school but obviously want my child to be happy and have friends they can turn to and play with.
I thought the smaller the better but now I’m worried it’s too small. Am I wrong?

Which school would you choose please?

School 1:
Currently in the Pre-school there
3 in current year group - 5 when in mixed classes.
20 min drive
Different teachers throughout the week

School 2:
Did their outdoor pre-school, (pulled out to put in classroom based pre- school to get ready for September so wasn’t such a shock to the system to go from outdoor play to sitting down in the classroom)
14 in class - 22 when in mixed classes.
10 minute drive
Same teacher throughout the week

Both have same Ofsted result. Had friends from both pre-schools albeit more from school 2 due to larger numbers. Can’t avoid mixed classes in our area.

Thanks for your help.

@MassiveOvaryaction
up to 9yrs then middle school. We’re 3 tier. Would you still chose school 2?

To be fair this isn't a small school this is tiny school!

Given what the OP has said next year's Reception will have 3 children and if mixed with the current reception in a combined F2/year 1 class then going off the numbers the current F2 cohort has 2 children. That's definitely not a sustainable cohort level.

Tiny schools are becoming less and less financially viable, and many more will close down in the next few years. I’d only consider one if it was a village school with all the local kids and in walking distance. Otherwise, no way.

Probably yes, based on size and the fact it's that bit closer.

There's small schools, and then there's miniscule. School 2 all the way. School 1 would be much too limiting for friendships.

Kids don't suddenly become 'just a number' because there are more children in the class. Good teachers care about each and every single one of their pupils. They get to know them inside out and do their best for each of them. A child is far more likely to become 'just a number' in a class where there are different adults working with them and no set class teacher. That doesn't sound like a good set up at all.

@backintothemeadow I do understand rural communities. I live in one. However not all schools are minuscule and where they are, the junior schools start at 7 so the infants (ks1) is the tiny school. Many parents will drive further to avoid them and we have some not thriving. In this case, the larger school is 10 mins. Not far! The CofE never closes schools though but most primaries have 15 Pan minimum.

If this minuscule school goes to age 9 (y4) my DDs would have missed out on so much! Active school orchestra. String quartet. Learning the recorder age 5 and being in the recorder group. Others would have missed out on school sports. My DDs would not have had fantastic school Christmas plays and the school concert. Schools with hardly any dc cannot do these things well, if at all.

When dc join a larger school from a micro school they can seem reticent and unable to adjust very quickly. My DDs also enjoyed school clubs and playing with a variety of dc. I think larger schools give dc more confidence too.

No more sleepless nights OP, this is a total no brainer! School two if you can swing it.

Small schools have quite a few disadvantages.
They aren’t good for shy/quiet children as it’s hard for the child to find a friend (less likely to find their tribe as not many children to choose from). They can be overwhelmed by SEN children; parents of children with SEN often specifically look for small schools as think they will do better there (this isn’t usually the case as small schools don’t have the facilities/staff/breakout space to cope with them and any challenging behaviour can overwhelm the small class). This is very sad for both the SEN children and non SEN children, plus very stressful for the staff.
I would always go for a bigger school especially if the child is quiet or shy.

Thanks so much for everyone’s lovely comments! You’ve all said things that I haven’t thought of so I really appreciate that. We have decided to go for the larger, more local school so fingers crossed we get in after I ring admissions on Wednesday! Wish me luck!