Which school for reception? Choice of 2

[AmberStoat]

For context, we live rurally and there are no waiting lists for either school.

School 1:
Pros -
Directly opposite our house
Ofsted outstanding
Excellent academic performance
One form entry

Cons -
Not a lot of outside space
Small classrooms, feels pokey

School 2:
Pros -
Lots of outside space
Forest school
Lovely spacious building
Ofsted good
Good academic performance

Cons -
Small classes that have to be joined (we're talking 7 in reception last year)
5 mins drive, would take 30 mins to walk

I'm pretty certain it's going to be school 1 but the lack of outside space and forest school opportunity is a little disappointing. However, the location couldn't be more convenient and bigger classes means more opportunity for like-minded friends. It's school 1 isn't it?

School 1. it’s better academically, it’s close so friends and play dates will be easier which is important at primary. Walking to school is great.

School 2 could close at this rate given those numbers particularly if other local schools nearby have no waiting lists.

School 1. I don’t think I’d even consider school 2 with those pros and cons lists.

I would also go with school 1.

It’s easy to get hung up on nice-to-haves like outside space, but your primary-aged child will never think ‘my school is so cramped and doesn’t have playing fields’ and you can easily make sure they have plenty of free time after school and at weekends, and provide extra-curricular activities that fill in any perceived gaps.

When you’re de-icing your car to drive to school 2 or dragging your child on the walk in the pouring rain, you’ll wish you just had to cross the road. You will also resent other parents taking your parking space to access school 1 whilst you’re on your own school run!

Defo not 2 with small classes - they won’t have the girl : boy ratio correct. Also, less potential friends / people to learn off and interact

School 1. Unless there are huge housing developments planned which might give rise to a few more children, school 2 might not survive the whole of your child's Primary school journey with falling birth rates.

Are either school in a Trust?

Depending on when Ofsted inspections were, new Ofsted framework may give rise to very different results in the near future

One every time

School 1

1

School 1. Do not underestimate being able to walk to school, it's so much easier. If it is literally across the road that will be great when they're older and want to walk themselves.
Also I went to a small rural school that literally had two classes. We had years 3-6 in one class and I was so so bored in year 6 (I was bright but I get the feeling some of the year 3's struggled too). I'm sure the teacher much have done some differentiation, and there's probably more these days, but that's a huge range from the least able year 3 to the brightest year 6. Friendships were also a bit limited (although not as much as for the boys as my year and the one below were very girl heavy).

It's a no brainer for me, School 1. Local, good results, steadier numbers. Outdoor space would be wonderful but it's not the be all and end all in a school. Some schools are more limited for outdoor space but make the best of what they've got (Ofsted rate them highly so clearly they didn't see it as a major issue in terms of the children's wider curriculum opportunities). You can always subsidise with clubs out of school.

School 2 does sound nice but it's madness to travel when you have such a good option on your doorstep and it would be really limiting in terms of friendships.

Thanks all, agree and we've gone with 1!