Primary school dilemma

[helpschooldilemma]

I’m really struggling to make a decision on which school to put first on my daughter’s primary school application, so hoping for some hive mind advice.

I have two schools I can’t decide between.

School 1 - 500m from my house, Catholic school (I’m a practicing Catholic and meet required religious criteria), excellent ofsted, really good academic results, slightly longer wraparound hours but stricter, less friendly feel, heard there is poor parent communication and I didn’t really get a good vibe from the headteacher.

School 2 - just under a mile from home - in some previous years would have been out of catchment, good ofsted but slightly worse academic results, slightly shorter wraparound hours but had a really friendly, welcoming feel, offers continuous provision transition throughout year 1, good parent comms tools and I really liked the headteacher.

Both are oversubscribed so if I don’t get in to one as first choice, I won’t get in to the other as second choice. My daughter seems to be fairly bright, so hopefully she’ll do ok at either school. She will also be going to the local Catholic secondary school - classmates from school 2 would be unlikely to go to same one if that makes a difference.

Should the academics and practicalities of local school 1 outweigh the better feel of school 2?

Thanks for reading!

Head teachers can move or retire, so I wouldn't necessarily make a choice just based on that.

And please, use all six options including those schools that are close and OKish. If the LA cannot find you a place at any of your preferences (usually because parents have only put two schools down), then they can allocate you a place at any undersubscribed school.

All areas are different so not everyone gets 6 preferences. It's only 3 here. I agree it's important to use all your preferences though.

@SPLOOSHYThe headteacher was very snippy when parents asked questions, including being very dismissive when I asked about about continuous provision into year 1 and helping children transition from reception to year 1. She also came across as very strict, correcting kids during the tour for things that seemed very minor. My daughter is January born, quite confident and ok with structure but I think that transition is hard for all kids so extra support can’t hurt.

@Dontpokethebearnow I’m not massively attached to the Catholic education side of things, so I can take or leave that element.

@TheNightingalesStarling Siblings get preference at both schools, so seem very similar.

Thanks all for your thoughtful comments

@helpschooldilemma Your dc will be immersed in a Catholic education though and the head teacher drives the ethos of the school. Many parents will want a strong Catholic ethos and possibly like strict behaviour too. This is designed to weed out less conforming people and, as you are noticing, it’s not always the kindest education. You will surely find devout Catholics there. Do you want that? It could change of the head leaves but the formal ethos of the school is down to the governors and they will want more of the same. So I doubt any new head will be very different. Are you wanting somewhere friendlier and welcoming? Are you ok with the Catholic school ethos being what it is?

@OhDear111I went to Catholic school myself and it was not like that - part of the reason I was a little surprised by the stricter nature of this school. There will be some devout Catholics there; but I know plenty of other families with kids there who are more like me, very similar to the make up at my school. In fact, I think these days you find more people claiming to be Catholic just to get in to the outstanding rated schools - certainly around where I live! I do not think that the reason it didn’t feel as welcoming is because it is Catholic…

If parents are competing to get in, it will explain higher results and its not necessarily better teaching. Its because of supportive parents.

Looking ahead... Will you be targeting a Catholic secondary? Its quite early to be considering Secondary school, as they can change, but can be necessary with the Faith schools

@TheNightingalesStarling Yes, I would like dc to go to the Catholic secondary - the other local secondary schools are not great. I’ve just checked their admission policy and they do give preference to feeder schools - only 5-10% of places (8 form entry) go to non feeder school Catholic children. So that might make my mind up for me…

@helpschooldilemma Many faith Voluntary Aided schools do require church attendance. It’s very much parent driven in some cases to get the best school and not religion driven. If you want the Catholic secondary, you will have to accept the primary by the look of it. Did the dc there like the head? You can ask around.