Is moving one child to a better school worth the daily logistics?

[NorthLondonBaby]

Hi There,
We’re in a bit of a dilemma.

Our 2 children in Y1 and Y5 have been given places in Walker Primary in Southgate. They currently go to Osidge.

We moved to the area last year and were so confident that both would get into Ashmole that we only applied to Ashmole for in year transfer but both were placed in the waiting list and we reluctantly put them in Osidge. At that time Walker didn’t even factor into our list as we were basically panicking.

Fast forward, we applied to Walker this year (and still position 2 on Ashmole, pretty much looks like a no go) and our Y1 were granted a place. They didn’t have a place for our Y5 but agreed to create an extra place as they were very sympathetic to our pick up/drop off challenges. Can’t praise the team at Walker enough.

But now our Y5 has rebelled a bit and doesn’t want to change schools. We don’t want to be pushy and have decided to honor their choice. So that leaves us with 2 options.

• Give up on the place for our Y1 in Walker and try again in Y3
• Make two school drop off and pick up work

I guess the question is the latter worth the hassle just so our Y1 can go to a clearly a much better school?

We have nothing bad to say about Osidge and the staff and environment has been great. Because they are undersubscribed, Y1 has around 22 kids in class. But we can’t also ignore the fact that academically Walker will be a much better choice due to ambitious parents in Walker. My understanding is that a majority of Walker children do 11+ prep and approximately 20% go to local grammar schools.

With Osidge that number is very low. Our Y1 is bright but we’re slightly apprehensive of drifting standards because lack of ambitious parents but maybe we’re just overthinking?

You're the parent, you don't let a 9 year old dictate what happens here.
I don't know the schools or understand what school is feeding into what, but I wouldnt change plans I'd decided on because my child was "rebelling" if it wasn't in their best interests.

Take the Y1 and Y5 place. The rebellion is indicative of this move being a priority. If you have aspirations for Latymer or Queen Elizabeth's you do not have the luxury of cruising in Y5. You need the best educational environment possible and tutors asap. 9 year olds dot plot their own future!

Agree with the others, I would also insist on the Yr 5 moving schools as well as the Yr 1.

Thanks. We’ve just about given up on Y5 doing 11+. Luckily we’re well within Ashmole secondary catchment and hopefully unlike the primary Y5 shouldn’t have any challenges getting a place there.

I understand what you’re saying but we’re at loss as to how to convince Y5 for a move. Bribes for Disneyland and the exotic holidays have already failed.

Going against the grain here. Your year 5’s feelings do matter. If they have a good group of friends and are happy I can see why they don’t want to move.

We moved my DD2 at the end of year 1 but DD1 (then at the end of year 5) opted to stay where she was. We’d have preferred her to move as we didn’t agree with some of the things the school were teaching (reason for the move) but ultimately she was happy and really wanted to stay. The two schools however were comparable academically so we didn’t have that concern.

I don’t know how close any of the schools are to you but by year 5 DD1 was walking herself to and from school so we had no issues with logistics.

I agree that sometimes adults make the decisions above the child’s preferences. However I think we underestimate how difficult moving school can be for a child - I have moved my children through 4 schools so I speak from experience! Your Y5 presumably came to this school in Y3 or 4? Not sure I would move them again.

The schools are unfortunately opposite of each other. Walking time between around 20 minutes but driving around 3 minutes from home. We’re paranoid about road safety and I don’t think our Y5 is ready for the 20 minute walk yet on her own.

Y5 came to new school in Y4 so yes, it’s challenging for her.

At 9 I wouldn’t be convincing them or bribing them I’d be saying “this is the plan”

Like you, we were on a waiting list for our preferred school for Y6. While waiting our Y6 at the time built relationships which made us hesitant to move her when the place became available. We didn't move her as a result, and although it was not academically impactful as she was at private previously so had a high baseline, that year at the under subscribed school affected her behaviour and aspiration.

Similar attainment gap/peer dynamics to Osidge vs Walker.

If we had the opportunity again we would move her to the academically vigourous option without a moment's thought.

Besides, you are not moving. Your Y5 can still do play dates, swimming, Brownies, etc with her old friends, no?

Ashmole is a very decent high performing secondary but the exit point at GCSE often has a correlation to the entry point at Y7. You are lucky to have been offered the place at Walker!