My eldest just started in a school with good results, but in a poorer/rougher area than the other local state primaries. dd's pre-school teachers all looked embarrassed when I said dd might be going there, their faces sort of froze. Its not the nearest to us, but the others are oversubscribed - we knew this would happen.
Thankfully, we went to see it and actually loved the atmosphere, the head, and the ethos of this place - rough area or not - and very nearly put it first over the shiny wonderful nearer place. In the event, we put it second - but as we thought, thats where she was placed.
Anyway....second week in Reception, and dd couldn't be happier. She's brimming with excitement and confidence already.
Go and see the schools when you can, and judge for yourself what you think of them - never mind reputations or reports, see whether the kids look happy and interested in their work, whether the teachers enjoy teaching there, and whether you feel happy when you walk around them.