send my daughters to two different schools-good idea?

[mpar17]

I have 2 daughters aged 12 and 11 the eldest started secondary school this year and the youngest will start next summer. The youngest has been offered a place at the best performing school (which is not fee paying) in our city. I realise it's a great opportunity but there will never be a place at this school for my eldest daughter. Although I have many concerns, my biggest worry is how going to different schools might effect their relationship. They are very close and I wouldn't like to damage that. Anyone have any personal experiences of this kind of thing or just an opinion? Thanks in advance.

Thanks very much everybodys comments have been really helpful,although I still haven't made any decision. I agree with Riven in that I don't think too much should be taken from league tables. We live in Scotland (glasgow) and the reason this particular school is so popular is that it is neither a local authority or an independent school it's like a 'company' which receives it funding by grant directly from the Scottish Government and seems to manage that very well with excellent results. Entrance is really by having an address in the very expensive catchment area, which we don't, thats why I put their names down shortly after they were born-any remaining places are allocated by date order. I think considering the opportunity we will have to give it a go and just wait and see, she can always change school if she doesn't like it. Mrs Baldwin, I'll be interested to hear how that conversation goes with your sister over a few glasses of christmas vino

Having children in different schools means they are never compared to (or confused with) one another. I've heard teachers express surprise that sister B is so unlike sister A which irritates me, and I think some teachers have sub-conscious expectations, especially when siblings are close in age.

My own DS's went to the same school for exactly one year and neither seems damaged by it.Different children , different needs.

let dd2 decide which school she would like to go to.

Our 4 DCs went to 3 different primaries and 3 different secondaries. They all have different strengths and interests and what suits one doesn't suit the others.

They are all grown up now and get on fine.

My children have gone to different secondary schools - one girl, one boy, both went to single sex schools. Just how it worked out. One thing to consider, which has not been a major thing, just a bit annoying at times, is that their INSET days and holidays don't coincide exactly (Easter two years ago was a nightmare!) and twice we had both Parents' Evenings on the same evening. If they're at the same school you don't have that to worry about.

My 2 sons went to different schools. They are completely different people and also in totally different leagues academically. There is no way they were going to be suited to the same school. They get on very well and it was just accepted. At secondary school age they do understand their differences.

I'd take the place for your younger DD, particularly if this school will suit her needs better.
It is hard, your elder DD could wonder why she wasn't 'good enough' to get a place at the better school and feel jealous but if you don't let the younger DD take the opportunity she could really resent you for it later. At the end of the day they are different people and they have different needs.