How much does school matter?

[Theneuroticfool]

Any experiences of ending up in school that wasn't high on preference which turned out great?

Long story short we only have one realistic secondary option where we live. It's fine, but it's not really suited to my son, in my opinion.

I am struggling whether moving to an area with more suitable school options is sensible or whether I would be crazy to go to all the upheaval and expense when we have a school which is okay, although I would never choose it if I had other options available.

im wondering whether I'm over analysing and that good enough is good enough, but i think my concern stems from going to an awful secondary ,yield which would have been a disaster if I hadn't changed at sixth form and actually got some decent qualifications!

No idea, but I expect that expenses incurred through moving could pay for an awful lot of outside tutoring if needed.

Me, dd went to bog standard academy, a lot of people turned their noses up. Come this August, she has 11 A* and A grades. She's now gone to a selective sixth form

dingit

There are a few friends' children has gone to Cambridge from a not very good secondary with only50%a-c rate for 5gcse. I think as long as the school is safe, not much bully, the general discipline in the class is fine.Then it's possible to get good results.But of course, as parents, you may need to spend more attention to make sure everything is all right.

I can only comment from my own experience of my DS1 starting at secondary school this academic year. He has gone from being fairly quiet, very reserved with very few friends (he's fairly geeky and not sporty at all), to a much more confident, chatty, outgoing, happy child who talks and talks and talks and who has (already) a lovely group of friends.

So yes, I'm sure that the "fine" school would be ok, but having seen what the 'right' school can do, I would really be thinking about seeing if you can find it. The difference in my son is magical.

(That said, having looked at all of the secondaries around us, I know that we're going to have a similar dilemma to yourself for my DSs2 and 3...and I'm waiting on 11+ results for DD - if she doesn't pass then I'm not that happy about my Plan B!!)

Thanks guys, that's some positive stuff to hear.

I'm the opposite panic becaus my daughter I think would do well at this local secondary so if we did move I would need to ensure there was a school or schools that would suit them both.

It's so frustrating because there was a school much better suited to my son but they just changed admission criteria making it extremely unlikely he would get a place, when before now he very likely would have. Grr

Oh that is frustrating...I feel your pain! Schools are such a minefield!

I am interested in why you think your local school is not suited to your son, which I think is key.
Most children will be OK at their local school, and with the right home conditions do very well. However, if your child has additional needs this puts a different slant on the matter.

Admittedly American research, but it suggests school does matter, but family situation matters much more:

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9602564/Good-parenting-matters-more-than-a-good-schoolsc.html

Surely the answer depends on why the school isn't suited to your son? That sounds quite specific, rather than "just" lower results.

Agree with others, why do you think school isn't right for your son? If you're going to consider elsewhere in the future, then you need to be sure his needs will certainly be well catered for.

Is whatever you think your child won't get from school something you can provide extra curricularly? That's what I did for my ds.