How are you choosing between primary schools?

[Scottyme]

I have 2 primary schools to choose from, one is 200 pupils, biggest in the county, and the other is 100 pupils, very average size for our county. We’re rural so many are smaller so closing schools due to size is very unlikely to be an issue at either. Neither are over subscribed either due to our rural location so getting into either shouldn’t be a problem.

DD loved the smaller one, I’m just a bit concerned about friendship groups when classes are a max 20 pupils. the other has 30 per year. Both have a teacher and TA to each class.

Ratings and facilities etc are the same at both schools. Would you go for the one she loved and don’t worry about class sizes? I’m so worried about making the best decision for her when primary is soo important

What was it about that school that she 'loved', compared to the other one? If it was just something simple such as she liked a particular toy or activity they had out that day, I would remember that they toy/activity won't be out every day, and the other school is likely to have similar even if it wasn't out the day you visited. I'm assuming she's about 3 and you're preparing to apply next year for her Reception place? In all honesty, at that age I wouldn't let my child's reaction sway me too much. You're making a decision for her based on what you believe is best for 7 years of her education, not just something that she fleetingly took a liking to a really young age.

If there's nothing else between them, I'd go for the larger school due to the larger scope for friendships.

Look at...

• how classes are arranged. Some children are happy with the class being different each year, some are happier with it being constant. Also, some schools and teachers are better at teaching mixed age groups than others
• wrap around care
• are the schools official Feeders for Secondary
• results/Ofsted to see if any major red flags
• facilities

I wouldn't take the feelings of a 3/4yo into much consideration really... it can be for very fickle reasons. Or dislike caused by feeling tired or hungry

@TheNightingalesStarling @BoleynMemories13 thanks both. Both are feeders to the same ofsted outstanding school.

In terms her liking the schools we’ve been to both twice, both times she’s cried leaving the smaller one and couldn’t care less about leaving the larger school. every morning we drive past both she tells me she wants to go to the smaller school.

honestly despite the difference in size facilities are both excellent and have all the same things. That’s why it’s such a difficult decision

I’m just a bit concerned about friendship groups when classes are a max 20 pupils.

A max of 20 pupils sounds lovely, but admission numbers are falling so it could easily end up being a lot less. Many of our once over subscribed schools are now combining classes due to the falling numbers, and with this in mind I would chose the larger school.

Everything else being the same I would go for smaller classes every time!

My friends kid (now almost 6) wants to move schools because the day she looked round one they were making apple juice 😂 honestly wouldn’t take the opinion of a 3 year old in to consideration. That said, if you can’t choose yourself, there’s no objective difference between them that matters to you, you may as well go with the one your daughter wants 🤷‍♀️

I wouldn’t. Funding is per pupil. 20 pupils only get 2/3 of the funding of 30, but most costs (staffing, heating etc) will be fixed. That leaves a lot less budget for resources and so on.

one is 200 pupils, biggest in the county

Wow-which county is that which has all primary schools 200 or under?

200 children is a standard 1 form class...
Where do you live????

I think I'd go for the smaller one personally because primary doesnt need "money" just to foster a love of learning.

The small one is not going to shut in 7 years

Small schools are wonderful! My DS was in a primary school with 15 in each year group (so mixed year classes). The size meant children were able to make friends across the year groups, and in his first year he’d tell you that one of his best friends was a boy in Year 6. There’s something so special about a school where every child and staff member knows every other so well. (The school gets excellent results as well.)

What about location, what’s the journey like to each, would one mean more classmates likely to live nearby than the other?

The smaller school will have mixed age classes and the larger one may do in the future if numbers continue to fall.

How do you get to the schools? Walkable is best. Where do neighbours kids go for possible lift share or emergencies if you can't do drop off or collect?

If she has fallen for the smaller school and you go past it to get to the bigger school then it'll be hard work taking her to the bigger school if she's reluctant to go.

Larger school

Our school has one form intake and it's too small. I'd consider things like opportunities for sport as well as music provision. No one plays smaller schools because they struggle to put a Netball team together.

DD is also an academic high flyer and she has no one to stretch her in a classroom setting. You have to be THAT parent who pushes school to provide enrichment work beyond the ordinary classroom enrichment work (for the top 25%). And it doesn't help foster a great relationship with school.