Which primary school would you choose?

[AsanteSanaSquashBanana]

I'm really torn between 2 schools for my DS due to start in September ...

School 1: The obvious choice, short walk away, good reputation, all his friends and neighbours will go there, 2 form entry, rated Good. Did the school tour and just felt a bit "meh", we weren't made to feel very welcome and nothing about it really drew me in. Very shabby building, a bit dark and gloomy, wasn't keen on the head teacher (but he looked about retirement age so not sure how he would be there).

School 2: Outstanding school 2 miles away (10 minute drive with no traffic). More affluent area, amazing results, great facilities, 3 form entry with 600+ students in the school, but it didn't feel overcrowded. I was absolutely blown away by the head teacher's presentation and school tour and came away thinking that was 100% our first choice.

However I've been thinking about it more and I don't know if moving him away from his friends and having to drive everyday is a good idea. Parking by school 2 is meant to be a nightmare.

We are lucky that we live in an area with a declining birthrate, so we are likely to be able to get into the school of our choosing (2nd option was always oversubscribed but has had a some places available the last few years, 1st option has quite a few empty spaces in each class).

Which would you go for?

School 2 no brainer!

@longapple Both my DDs went to secondary school knowing no one. We also have grammar schools here and it’s not unusual to be the only one going from a village school. Plus some people choose co Ed and others single sex as catchments overlap. People choose the best school for dc, and that isn’t just going where friends go. Also catchment areas mean no affiliated primary schools. It’s always based on where you live here.

I think a lot depends on your lifestyle. Will this affect your work? Are there younger siblings? What transport options are available if you don’t have a car for a few days?

Personally I work full time so I needed the whole thing to work together. My kids go to adequate schools but I like both headteachers which makes a massive difference.

I would always travel further for the better school (and have done, in one case it was around 45 mins to 1hr in the morning rush)

Is it frustrating sometimes, of course, have I ever regretted it, never once.

8 mins, absolutely no issue, that would be ‘local’ for us and I wouldn’t give it a second thought.

OP, if you are able to go to the second school, then leap at the chance. Your DC will soon make more friends, and at that age, they’re hardly likely to have “friends for life” yet! Do not underestimate the priceless gift that is a good education - that really will be with your DC for life.

Walk to school, the "good" school will be striving to improve whereas I've seen many an "outstanding" take their eye off the ball

Much less likely now that all outstanding schools are inspected now. And anyway, as of July, all the previously outstanding schools have been inspected so if they are still outstanding, they have managed to maintain this and will be looking to do so, with their next inspection in anything up to 4 years or so from their last inspection. It can be up to 5 years but they will be expecting it from 4 years onwards.

School 1 so long as there is a decent secondary option

Actually seeing it took you 8 mins drive, I change my mind. Go for school 2, kids are adaptable and your child will make new friends and you will be happier with the provision for him.

I bet it won’t be 8 mins in rush hour and when the OP has to park a considerable distance away though.

The OP did the journey at drop off time.

Nursery dc don’t have true friends. They have dc they want to play with when it suits them. Dc don’t all walk to school together either. That’s why schools get over run with cars outside. Dc are dropped off as parents go to work. Also, what if dc who walk along your road are the ones you want to avoid? Walking crocodiles are a good thing but many schools don’t have them and many rural areas don’t have pavements either.