Go with outstanding Ofsted or the school linked to DD nursery? WWYD?

[Justaminuteplease]

I’m struggling to decide on my DD’s primary school preferences and would really appreciate some perspective.

She currently goes to a nursery that’s attached to a 'Good' Ofsted-rated primary school. She’s very settled, knows the setting well, has made good friends, and genuinely enjoys it. I also get a good feel from the nursery teachers there and the overall school environment. It’s also walkable, which is a big plus for us day to day.

The alternative would be putting as our first choice a newer school that’s 'Outstanding' according to Ofsted. On paper it looks great, but it’s a 12 minute drive away, and DD doesn’t know the environment or any of the children there. The drive would be doable as both myself and DH wfh, but is obviously not as convenient as walking.

I’m torn between:

On one hand, continuity, friendships, familiarity, walkable commute, vs the better Ofsted rating and reputation at the Outstanding school.

How much weight would you give to Ofsted vs social/emotional continuity at this age? Has anyone chosen familiarity over an 'outstanding' rating (or vice versa) and been happy with their decision?

Would love to hear what others think.

Have you read both Ofsted reports in full?

If she is happy as its local keep her theeee. Inspection. Reports are shite, a fucked uo snapshot in time - and this is from a teacher who has recently survived a very good one. I wouldn’t go by inspection reports but by location and parental/child feedback. An excellent school can also become crap with a change of HT so send her where she’s happy.

Never go just by Ofsted- there's a reason why they have scrapped one word judgement. When was the outstanding school last inspected? Many in this bracket haven't been inspected in a long time. What does the report say? What does your gut say? What does local feedback have to say about the school- our local Facebook group was inter sting to read on this topic.

I chose to rank the good school over outstanding for a number of reasons, and was justified in doing so. The school was closer, more suited to my child, had a fantastic, warm, ambitious leadership team, teaching was regarded locally as inclusive and fantastic, and the children were happy and content. You could see and feel that the school was on the way up (10 years ago it wasn't a great school at all but the current head and her team changed that).

The next Ofsted for the outstanding school was somewhat damning (leadership not great, behavioural issues, teaching quality needed improvements - we picked up on the poor leadership when meeting the head, along with various other things that put us off). Along with the overall vibe and other factors, it was a non-decision in many ways, and some of the parents at that school have now moved their children to DD's school after initially being swayed by the one word ratings.

I also wouldnt underestimate how helpful living near the school is. Are you in the catchment zone (if applicable) for the school further away?

Remember also: you are listing/ranking preferences not choices.

A vote for the school linked to the nursery!

The one you know and can walk to.

Ofsted is up to date on the day it was done - how old is the inspection report? What is to say your good school wouldn’t be outstanding now?

Go with the school you know.

Ofsted reports are a snapshot, and the differences between good and outstanding are often not what will actually make the difference for your child.

If the Ofsted ratings didn’t exist, and you were going on how you feel after visiting the schools, which would you choose?

I would go for the closer school where she is happy and settled. Ofsted Good often isn't that different to Ofsted Outstanding in my experience.

Go for the nearer one that you're comfortable with. It also has the plus that your DD will be able to walk there herself in year 6.

I'm a teacher in an Outstanding school (we have been Outstanding in the last couple of inspections and genuinely are) but I would say to put the Good school as your first choice.

There's nothing wrong with a Good school; I would have been happy for my dd to have gone to one.

You like the feel of the school you know and a school within walking distance is a huge advantage, especially when your dd is older and may want to walk to and from school independently.

I agree.

A school not far from me has been consistently outstanding according to OFSTED but then has failed a safeguarding inspection it needed because it has been accused of essentially abusing children.

I have experience as a teacher, parent and grandparent and would always choose the Good school rather than the Outstanding. In my opinion Outstanding schools have the perfect paperwork but not necessarily the right attitude to individual children.

Go to the ‘good’ school she’s comfortable with, and within walking distance. If nothing else, you won’t have to fight traffic and the battle to find a parking spot everyday.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Good friendships matter so much, friends within walking distance is great, whilst she’d probably make friends if she’s unhappy socially you’d regret it for years.

Also so much easier not to need to jump in a car twice a day every day for the next 7 years. Snow days/car services etc. maybe avoiding the need for a car/second car if circumstances change, environment too, but wouldn’t be the be all and end all. If you don’t need to do it send her local.

Outstanding can become requires improvement quickly as the checks aren’t frequent. God really isn’t bad. If you were looking at a school in special measures against an outstanding I’d see it differently.

I would put the school she's at the nursery in first unless there's a big reason you don't like it, or don't think it would be good for your daughter. Yes getting "outstanding" is an achievement to be proud of, but it just means that certain things Ofsted saw were better than at the other school, it doesn't mean the other school would be fabulous in every way. It also doesn't mean that the wonderful things will necessarily be things that make the biggest difference to your daughter.

It's a bit like me saying I want to race the gold Olympic swimmer, not the bronze one, because gold is better. Well yes, Gold IS better in that context, but they will both have finished the race before I'm halfway up the first lap, so does it really matter who beats me?!

I know how our Infant school got Outstanding (the only one walkable and attached to the nursery) , the Junior and Senior schools in the same walkable area are both Ofsted Good. All the same children go to all three schools. I would pick Good that you're happy with, over Outstanding any day.

Stick with the school you are at. Your child will be at the school for 7 years and the Ofsted reports could easily switch around in that time. You already know the school to some degree and are happy plus it's much easier. The thought of almost an hour's driving each day when you don't have to is off-putting to me.

If you are really worried then read the Ofsted reports in detail. Sometimes the 'good' schools have comments on what to improve. Hopefully it will reassure you it's not a big problem e.g. if it talks about issues stretching the high achievers when you have a child with SEN, or not supporting older boys who struggle to read when you have a younger girl who reads well, then it will be less relevant to you anyway. But again, this may all have already changed depending on the Ofsted report, and definitely could swap around before your child finishes school.

I'd always choose the school in walking distance, makes life so much easier.

I had this choice (although the outstanding one was closer) and picked good and never regretted it (she is 16 now) - the outstanding school head left and was all change

these things can turn on a dime go with right now and right now the good school suits you much better

Local friends are so important. Go for the one where she will be able to go to play
dates easily.

As a retired Primary school teacher I really wouldn't set much store by an OFSTED report, for many iff the redone given by PP. Visit both schools and trust your instincts, bearing in mind that the most important thing for your dc in the early school years is to feel happy, safe and nutured in school, as that is what facilitates learning.

12 minute drive can be a lot longer at 8.30. Traffic, parking, then the standing round... then getting out of the parking, more traffic...

For full context... my record of what was a seven minute drive with no traffic and all green traffic lights... was leaving home at 8.15vabd getting home at 10.30. Several months of road works created hell. (Plus the journey included going under a railway bridge notorious for lorry strikes. Thankfully never at school run time.)

I visit lots of primary schools as a supply teacher and have become sceptical about Ofsted ratings. I think in many cases they reflect the ability of the Headteacher to schmooze the inspectors rather than anything that’s going on in the school. I’ve visited ‘Outstanding’ schools where the behaviour and attitude of too many pupils was appalling, and where their ostensibly excellent SATs results I have good reason to believe were achieved with plenty of rule-bending assistance from staff (I’m not suggesting that this applies to the school you mention, just that it happens). Conversely, I’ve visited RI-rated schools where I’d happily send a child of mine. If I was in your position (and you seem very happy with your daughter’s current school), I’d keep her where she is.

I don't necessarily think you should go for a school based on the fact it's closest. Nor because she's at pre-school there.

Nor because of an outstanding Ofsted. Ours is outstanding but the report 12 months before that basically said it should be good but couldn't be downgraded from it's 2008 or whatever inspection without a full Ofsted. Anyway, whether or not it's outstanding, it doesn't suit my overly academic DC who are largely left to their own devices and the teaching is WOEFULLY inconsistent.

Go visit both and make a genuine decision based on every year in the school, not just EYFS. Talk to parents from both and really find one that suits YOUR child.

The difference between a Good and Outstanding school can be as simple as a box missing a tick or similar
We chose a good Primary school over an Outstanding one for our DC as we felt it would suit them much better and had links to DS pre school.
I would go with the Good school, its closer and your child will already know people there