Did you look around different primary schools before sending your children? Do I have PFB syndrome?

[Dragonbutter]

DS1 is 3.5 and goes to a lovely montessori nursery that he absolutely loves.

This is all new territory to me, as i'm sure it is with most parents first time around. But there are 4 primary schools in our town, one only 200metres from the house. But it seems very big.

I think i want small class sizes. But i'm not sure what my other concerns are yet.

I've made an appointment with the head of a primary school to look around this week.It had the best ofsted report, but is 3 miles away.

I just want to get it right. Is this the right way to go about it. I feel a bit lost.
Help me please.

I looked at a couple, meeting the Head before making an application. I was pretty sure which one I wanted but visiting more that one helped to confirm it for me.

Looking around is the best way to find which one you like best. You are doing the right thing.

I looked at two, applied to both with a preference stated. Looking round really helped me decide which one i liked the 'feel' of more.

Yes, we looked round two local state schools and three independent schools. We looked round the independent schools when DD was just qa year old, and her name went down on two lists at that time. Looked round them again and the state schools when DD was 3y, a few months before she would be called for her entrance assessment day for the indeendents.

We chose the school that we felt best suoted her, and our, needs.

3 miles is a long way to travel

pretty high up my list of must-haves was a place we could walk to. this also helps with making friends, playdates etc

look at the provision of "extras" - is anyone enthusiastic about music? do you want/not want a church school? what's the parents assn like? how long has the head been there and what kind of person are they? (I think this is v impt)

do you know any local mums with schoolage kids? best to have a coffee with some and get the vibe

I was keen on small school, small classes. But I took the wrong choice. In retrospect, I would pick a school with at least 2 class intake, the class sizes will be smaller with natural losses as the kids get older (moving away etc).
Also, after school clubs at my dd's school are cack, she gets 4 weeks clubs a term. That must be the bare minimum, theres not enough teachers to support more. Also, no footie team, netball team etc. All things I didnt consider.
However, ofsred wise, approx 50 to 60% go to grammar as opposed to the 5% average.

DD travels 3 miles to school and it is no problem at all.

Our nearest (state) school is a mile away, and because of DH and my work/other committments,walking the uphill mile's (well 2 miles return) walk twice a day was not an option.

DD goes by car to school. Either Dh or I take her/cllect her, generally as we are passing on way to work.

It has never affected play dates/friends coming round, ability to join in and establish friendships, etc. Been fine and not looked back.

although it's 3 miles away, he already knows 2 (maybe 3)other boys going to be there. where we live there are loads of children anyway, and he has friends in the street although they are mostly older.

good idea to ask about school sports/music and clubs etc. hadn't thought of that.

what else should i be looking for?

Yes, I think visiting the schools is the only way to do this. I don't think that checking out primary schools is an example of PFBness - I did it with DS for nursery and will do it again next year for primary - ditto DD when her time comes.

also, is there normally an open day type thing where parents can look around primary schools or do we all do it individually?
seems very time consuming.

that's fine for you hulababy

but a local school was top of our list, and many parents walk to school, taking it in turns

with secondary schools, i would consider one slightly further away

many schools don't do it individually

dd1 showed some parents round her school this year when she was a school councillor (proud emoticon)

We insisted on viewing all the schools - state and independent - on non Open Days on a one to one basis. I wanted to see the schools on a normal working day, not just when on show. I just called in advance.

As I said before, a local school within a reasonable walking distance/route was not an option for us anyway. Just wanted to say that in our experience living 3 miles from a school is very much doable and doesn't have to be a problem, so long as parents don't mind being a taxi driver sometimes.

We looked at 4 schools before deciding where to send ds1, I think you have to really, they either feel 'right' or they don't

We have 6 schools within walking distance, I went round each, state and private, by the end I had a good impression of what they were about and what "felt" right.
My brother also recommend talking to the head teacher as you are handing your child into an environment for several hours a day, so choose the one that has the cultural norms closest to you that you would want your child in. My DH for instance absolutely hated one place and I found one other school totally sexist and patronising.
Do look around on a personal visit...it is a good idea.

Well i certaily plan to go and look round schools - going to make a few phone calls this week and see what's on offer.
When DS started nursery I went to look at the one that was nearest to us and thought it was lovely so didn't bother looking at any others = he has been there for 2 years now and is very happy.

as long as you appreciate that

1. the concept of 'choice' in education with regards to state schools is actually bollocks

2. you may have to put down 3 - 5 schools and then you'll be allocated one based on available spaces .. unless in your area you can actually apply to a specific school

3. you will drive yourself mental until you pick the school and then you'll heave a sigh of relief, and then you'll do it all again in about 3 years with regards to secondary schools

no

The head teacher said if i wanted DS1 to go there I should submit a statement of interest.
Is this important? Does it have any standing with regards to actually getting a place?

Definitely look around all the possible schools.
We did this and the one we chose after the tours wasn't the one we would have chosen on paper. The Ofsteds for all the schools were outstanding but others had higher Sats results. The one we chose had a wonderfully warm feel and even though it was bigger than the others we chose it because we felt at home there and thought the DSs would too.
We don't regret it for a second because both DSs love it.

Sorry, I wandered off.
State schools only.
She definitely said a statement of interest, she didn't give the impression of any sort of waiting list etc.
She said it gives them an idea of how many pupils to expect.
She said at the moment there are only 16 pupils in reception, with 22 expected next year.
We are in Rural Devon btw.
Thanks for all the help.

thanks for all that. it's really helpful.
i havent' really been thinking about how the school will be for him when he's 10. i can't imagine that far into the future right now.
i've been thinking about what would be nice for him for starting school. i'm really keen that he isn't put off.
you've reminded be that it's a longer term decision than that.
it's probably a good thing i start looking now. like twiglett said, i will drive myself mental until the decision is made.