PLEASE FGS help me make this decision.

[Lyingawakeworrying]

I have the option of the following for starting reception;

Primary A: two form entry, PAN 60, currently will be two classes of around 23 in reception, in year one and above these two classes MAY get split between year one and year above (very unsure about this and what it might mean).
Good offstead rating in last two years.
20 minute walk or 3 min drive if we’re driving.

Loads of outdoor green space and forest school area.

child already goes to nursery here so is comfortable and settled and has friends.

Primary B: one form entry, PAN 30. One class of around 24 currently for reception.

Outstanding offstead rating in last two years.
6 minute drive from home but not realistically walkable due to terrain (50 min walk if you did fancy trying it)
Have visited several times and got a great feel from the school, the head is wonderful.

concrete school, no outdoor green space.

child would have to settle all over again, knows nobody.

PLEASE tell me what you’d do, I’m lying awake, having sleepless nights and literal nightmares about this bloody decision, I’ve woken up in a cold sweat having a nightmare about my little one going to school A and being so distressed I had to pick him up😩

I’d stick with Primary A, unless you think your child could do with a fresh start. I hang very little on Ofsted ratings. From my experience Ofsted rated outstanding schools are fixated on spreadsheets and data which leaves little time for organic teaching and learning. Your child is settled with friends, you have the option to walk there if need be and it has lots of space and a forest school program. Sound bloody ideal to me.

I would stick with A. I fell into the trap of thinking smaller was better with one of mine, turned out there are lots more opportunities with a bigger school and a two form entry gives better social options. Don’t underestimate the benefit of being able to walk to school either and your son is also more likely to have friends nearby. It sounds like he is settled where he is and there is no real reason to move him.

Would also stick with A for reasons above.

Which was your first choice originally, OP, and why?

Primary A - absolutely no question!

Definitely A. You and your son will meet so many more parents from walking to school, you end up seeing the same people everyday. It really helps you feel part of the community plus the benefits of the daily exercise for him and you.

A

I was going to put this in the OP but didn’t know if it would be relevant, when me and his dad chose the nursery I wanted nursery at school B but felt a bit pressured by his dad to go with nursery at school A (we’re not together) as It’s closer.

Is your child happy?

You only get one childhood and if your child is happy why move him?

Also in year 6 many children are allowed to walk home alone, would you be happy with that at school B?

A.

Your child is settled and it's the easier commute. I think you'll regret uprooting DC for no real reason.

A seems a total no-brainer.

School A without a doubt. Green space and close by. So much better for well being. No brainer imo.

For our DD1, we chose a similar sounding school to your B; DD2 we picked A.

School B is genuinely great and DD1 has had a fab time there - BUT having to drive has been a bit rubbish, play dates have been faffier as have necessitated chauffeuring and I haven’t connected as easily with the other parents because we all drive and we’re all in a rush.

DD2, on the other hand, cabnot walk into a local shop or park without being hailed by someone 😄 she felt super comfortable going into reception as she knew a load of kids already, we walk home with a bunch of them (so I have a good group of parent friends), and we can walk to all our play dates. In the not too distant future, she’ll be able to walk herself and go by herself to her friends’ houses, which is exactly the kind of independence I’d love DD1 to have, but it’s trickier / necessitates buses etc.

worth also saying the friendships in school B have been a LOT trickier because it’s so small - school A, kids can get away from each other as there’s more of them and there’s more outdoor space so they’re not on top of each other at playtime.

longwinded way of saying both schools are great, but, on balance, the convenience and community of the nearer school would swing it for me based on experience!

Agreed with everyone else I honestly can't see why you're conflicted school A sounds brilliant and light-years above school B in every way. It's a no brainer by the sounds of it.

A.

I can’t see why you are even considering B. This is like the Daniel or Balonz baby name thread. One is very different from the other.

A Surely?
If nothing else the single form school sounds a bit small to me.

I’ll make the decision for you. A. The outside space and proximity makes it a no-brainer.

Ex teacher here. Stick with the place you know where you can walk. It’s nice for little ones to get excited about moving up with their friends, and it will be easier all round for you too.

A sounds ideal. Your child is already there so easier transition, they know him already. They will have more staff and probably more opportunities for him. Proximity and space are also plus points.

A sounds ideal. Your child is already there so easier transition, they know him already. They will have more staff and probably more opportunities for him. Proximity and space are also plus points.

A. Familiar to child. Forest school area. Bigger pool for friendships. Walkable as child gets older.

Ofsted is no big deal. By the time your child leaves the Head could have changed two or three times, the Ofsted evaluations could have swapped over. As long as the nearer school seems friendly and not overly strict, I'd go there.

If he’s settled at A I’d stick with A. It’s closer easier for friendships, lots of green space and fairly small classes.
I wouldn’t be too concerned about ofsted good vs outstanding it doesn’t always relate to better teaching.
I’d prefer a two class over one class as more opportunities for friendship/mixing.

Absolutely A. We had this situation with DS and he settled at school so quickly because he had people he already knew. The other kids who were coming from further away took a lot longer.

Yes I think this is relevant. However a couple of questions

Why did you prefer B ?
Has this changed on your child being in A?
Would x partner still want a say and still want B?
What is keeping you awake? (What is the niggle?)

Reading it originally I also would have said A but I think this significantly changes things and would like to understand why.

I preferred the fact that it was smaller and I just got a nicer “feel” for it.

I don’t particularly dislike A, if I did then I guess it would be an easy decision. I just personally like B more.

Ex still wants A, but has said he’ll let me cast the deciding vote.

Im a chronic over thinker, with pretty bad anxiety, I worry that whatever decision I make, I’ll wish I’d went the other way.
If I move him and he struggles or is unhappy I’ll wish I’d kept him at A.
If I keep him at A and he doesn’t do as well, I’ll always wonder if it could’ve been different if I’d chosen B.

I’m aware I’m frustrating😬

I would always pick green space over concrete jungle. Much nicer place for children to grow.

Remember that you can always change schools on the miniscule off-chance that the placement is a disaster.