Can't seem to make up my mind! What would you do?

[VinoEsmeralda]

DC are currently in the foundation stage of a school and are happy and settled there, however it is an ok/medium school. Teachers are great but parents dont seem to be interested (no parent helpers at FS sessions or helping with reading for older kids) plus they havent had a PTA for a number of years and only this year attempts have been made to restart it.

There is a school 20 minutes drive away that has outstanding results and places. Also know (and get on) with a few people there. has a very strong PTA and they actively encourage parents to get involved.

Both DC are keen learners as far as you can tell at this age

Shall I change their school? (results of current school are 60/67/77 percent for English/Maths/Science, potential other school 92/92/96 percent).

Um... ask around. Just because other school has better SAT results and more active parents doesn't mean that all children will be happier there. How would your DC take swapping schools? And if the other school is 20 minutes drive away, that's 80 minutes of driving for you each day, plus more for playdates (how does that compare to your current access to current school and current friends/activities?).

I am a teacher and we moved to get my son into 'best' local school at primary level with best SATS results etc etc (all late 90's) as compared to our most local primary (all 70's). He is in year 5 and has never enjoyed school and is in the bottom sets. I often ask myself if it was the right school for him.

Thank you. Current school run is a 5 minute walk and have a few playdates but most of our playdates are with children from outside the school.

Stillenacht- that is what makes parenting so difficult isnt it! I dont want to be in a position in a few years time that DC dont want to learn as they dont like to be seen as geeks which my fear of the current school is.

My DS is in the minority (45 kids in year he is in bottom group of 6) so obviously 39 kids are getting a fair crack at the whip....you just never know.

I don't know what it's like where you are.
DC school has similar SAT results (71, 67, 69), and I feel strongly that there is room for bright children to achieve there, without being socially ostracised.

I reckon it's high school where negative peer pressure usually becomes a signif. factor, primary level they usually still respect teachers and the value of education.

Thank you lljkk, you sound like DH (you arent by any chance are you?)

I very strongly feel that the teachers are very good and maybe it is me that is thinking too much! DC are happy there, I wish there was more parental involvement and interest. Most parents have different views opinions on parenting. I have tried to fit in (and still do) but simply don't but as long as it doesnt affect the DC maybe I should just get on with it

I would question why an outstanding school has places? Have you had a look around the other school or spoken to parents with children there? Go with your gut instinct in the end.

DDs school- results in the 90s and approx 50% level 5s at end of KS2.(But 60% got level 3 at KS 1 so value added really not that great)
-Good to outstanding ofsted.
-In a wealthy area where many many of the kids have extra tuition. (At least 10 of DDs class at the last count.)
-Very few clubs are free (ofsted thought the extra curricular provision was outstanding and no not a private school)
-Behaviour really not that great, the PGL they visited complained about how dreadful they were. (Kids were obviously bribed when inspectors called )

• teaching very so so in some cases. Lots of the homework seems to rely on parents teaching their dcs things that have not yet been covered in class.

The school I work in - results in the 70s and 80s/ 30% level 5s. (but value added very good)
-Ofsted satisfactory with good features.
-In a mixed catchment where quite a few parents do not really support their children.

• Loads of clubs run at lunchtime and after school by teachers and some outside providers (but 90% free)

-A quarter of the pupils are on the special needs register.

• Behaviour outstanding (IMHO) kids are very repectful (fall over them selves to open the door for you and lovely manners.) Children are very happy and there is just a lovely atmosphere.
• Teaching wonderful.

If it wasn't 15 miles away I would send my dd there in a blink.

Results and Ofsted are not every thing.

I agree with smartiejake - results are not everything; how happy and unstressed the children are, whether the teachers / head knows every child individually is so much more important.

Who now even rememebrs what they did at primary school? SATS are incredibly overrated and IMO any school with excellent results bores thier kids to tears for several terms 'teaching to the test' rather than encouraging a love of learning / knowledge for its own sake.

By all means look round the other school and talk to hte head to see if you feel it would be better, but go with your own instincts and observations not what a piece of paper says

Good luck

Well it sounds like both you and the DCs will be more 'at home' in the other school, and there's not much from the current school that they'll miss.

I would say "if it isn't broken, don't fix it".

Maybe the time will come when you feel your children aren't being "stretched"/not achieving much. Or they might generally seem a bit unhappy. But until such a situation arises (if it ever does), I would be inclined to leave them as they are.

(Btw, it wasn't my experience that "bright" children aren't made fun of for appearing keen, answering questions, etc. My dd was - this in Y3 and I know of other people who have experienced this in different schools. Not saying this always happens - but it can happen at this age).

Thank you all so much for you help and placing my two feet firmly back on the ground!

We have decided to stay where we are now and if we feel that things change (DC unhappy, not stimulated enough ect..) then change schools, as Scarletlilybug says "If it isn't broken, dont fix it".