Applying for primary - ofsted reports.

[Greatfun]

We are applying for primary school and I am torn re: which school to put first as our preference. Our nearest school has an outstanding ofsted (1 for everything) and excellent SATs. However, its grounds are awful (London) and it used to have a bad repuatation and be under subscribed. This is changing with the recent ofsted and its now become very popular with local people. Our second nearest school has a good ofsted report with a few weaknesses identified at year 1/2 and average SATs. The grounds are lovely and they have loads of clubs, etc on. DD goes to nursery at this school and loves it. The ofsted and SAT results for the first school are making me think I should put this as first choice but the fact that DD is so happy at the second school makes me unsure. How much weight should I put on the ofsted and SATs? I suppose the other thing to factor in is that the first school (with the outstanding ofsted but awful grounds) is nearer home so slightly more convenient for work and with more local people using it would make playdates and having local friends easier. There is no one in our immediate area that attends the same nursery as DD with most going to the other school.

Thanks again to you all.

LittleMissTickles -Yes WW. Up the hill - is that HM? I might go and see that as its taking an extra class this year which means we may get in.

What do you think of WW? I liked it when I saw it but will be seeing it again soon as I last saw it a while ago. Just hate the grounds. What with the main road and railway. Do they have many clubs and do you think the curriculum is well rounded? Just worried that they might focus more on the SAT subjects at the expense of art/drama and alike. DD is quite sporty. Do you know if they do much sport and have they sorted the new sports ground out yet?

GF, I would love to reassure you that WW is the way to go, but I am absolutely on the fence ! We were 'forced' into it, and now feel unable to leave due to happy DD , but I think your concerns are all very valid.

The focus is definitely on SAT subjects, but there are lunch clubs etc available, just not, mmm, don't know how to put it really, I suppose it's just not the main focus of the school. Music is the same as at most of the other state schools around. The head is brilliant though, and very very good teachers throughout the school. They are always very approachable and in my experience respond to your concerns immediately and appropriately. There is no doubt that it is a school 'on the rise' - the KS1 and nursery parents are more involved/interested in the school than KS2 parents (gross generalisation of course), and there seems to me more social contact out of school between the little ones.

My DD does sport elsewhere, I really don't know much about the sport at the school, sorry. As I mentioned before, my DD is ridiculously happy at WW, which makes most of my concerns fall at the wayside really.

Thats fabulous! I have heard similar things from friends using the nursery. I am going to see them again after half term so will check out the grounds again and then decide which to put first. I think its unusual in that it gets good results despite the overall demographic of the school not being 'favourable' as ofsted like to call it.