Distance over achievement

[Darmy1]

We found a school that we liked last year and got in, however now starting to doubt our choice. The school is our closest school (2.5 miles), probably couldn’t walk as would be about 45 min walk but about 7-10 min drive in rush hr. We found out after applying, that SATS results were very poor (top 5 for worst performance in borough), communication hasn’t been great when I wrote to the head for some reassurance about it, and it’s in a bad area (which wasn’t an issue for us, however all these other factors are making me doubt myself). We attended the induction meeting last week and I just had a “off feeling”, about it, which I didn’t when we first visited.

We’ve found another school which has spaces, which seems to be a lot better in terms of achievement, and generally I have a better “feel”, however it’s 7.5 miles away (25 min-ish drive in rush hour). They would accept us in terms of catchment, as other children from my area have been accepted there. It is in the same borough that we live in, so wouldn’t be too out of area in terms of friendships?

We wouldn’t be able to walk to either school anyway but wondering if the further one is too far?

I just don’t want to sacrifice achievement over distance.

A 25 minute drive to school would be much too far for me. That's my commute to work (I'm a teacher) and it can be very stressful if there's an accident, break down or road work causing severe delays. I couldn't do it every day if I was just to ferry my kids to and from school. You'd be doing the drive 4 times a day if you're going home or at least back in the same direction for work. Your child will be exhausted, no doubt often falling asleep in the car on the way back.

When you talk about poor data, do you mean Year 6 SATs, or general across the board? Is the poor data from your allocated school historic, or just a one off last year? A one off wouldn't bother me at all, as each cohort is different and that one may have been particularly SEN heavy. Is it a one form entry or small village school? Each child is worth such a high percentage in a smaller school, which can really skew the data some years.

There's a lot to be said for going to your local school. You picked it for a reason. Your child hasn't even started there yet. At least give it a chance. Don't be that parent who asks the headteacher to explain their data to them. That's not going to get you off to the best start.

Your child is going in to Reception. How do you feel about their Reception classroom/unit? The teacher? Have you only been to an information evening so far, or has your child visited to start their transition process? What about the EYFS data? (Although, again, if it's a small school the data could be skewed and id only be concerned if it's historically lower than national. A one off bad year wouldn't concern me). You can read about what Ofsted think about EYFS at their school (and indeed what they say about the rest of it) in their latest Ofsted report too. Not that I'd place a huge emphasis on what Ofsted say, but it would give you an insight.

So much could change between now and your child leaving Year 6 in seven years time. I'd give it a chance, rather than making a rash decision. If you're not happy after Reception I'd consider your options, but a 25 minute commute would be crazy unless you've actually tried this local school and there are problems. Even if the data issue is historic, there's nothing to say your child can't be happy and achieve well there. I myself went to a 'rough' primary and secondary school. Both were considered poor, in the area. I loved my primary experience and have done absolutely fine in life.

@BoleynMemories13 thanks for the advice.
Her teacher seems nice, we only went for an induction but will have settling sessions in sept. The parents and children didn’t seem very warm but I know it was only one day.
the ofsted report is good, under recommendations it states “on occasion teaching does not implement the curriculum securely” which is the only thing that stands out to me.

I think I just want the best for her and I worry I’ve made the wrong choice. It was the best out of a bad bunch if I’m being honest and I didn’t consider a further one until now (panic mode).

The SATS data was from year 2, I couldn’t access historical data, this is what I contacted the school for but they ignored my requests.
year 6 SATS performed lower than the expected standards in reading writing and maths.