Small local School or bigger inner city school

[Jotim02]

I live in Bristol. My local school is ok, not great but fine, think 45% A-C maths and English but it feeds from a whole load of schools I wouldn't choose my daughter to go to. We could go to the inner city C of E school, 70% A-C but she would have to go in the bus for an hour each way.

In the small school I think she might get noticed and possibly picked on for working hard, but not excelling at anything in particular, I worry in the big school she might just get lost and not be recognised or remembered.

Any advice?

Small!
Bullying is easier to spot in a smaller school. I wouldn't make my children travel miles away for an average crowded school. The two hours of travel can be used for socialising and revision instead.
I moved my child to a small independent school because he was picked on for working hard when he was at a large school... they denied any bullying for years and things went really wrong in the end for my DS.
You have to make your decision based on your own feelings and expectations. What works for one child might not work for another. Good luck, keep us posted.

Thanks

We had exactly that dilemma except our small school is the Church one. So glad we've made the choice for small, DS has already warranted four calls from office for various things (medicine, forgotten lunch etc), whilst his friend at the bigger school has already had detention for forgetting his ruler!

DD, however, different kettle of fish and think the variety of opportunity outweighs pastoral care. So, depends on the child but we are so thankful thus far we went small

I don't think it's just about size, it's how well the schools are organised. It is possible for pupils to have the support they need in large schools. At secondary level, many pupils travel some distance each day, that's not unusual.
There are other factors too: smaller secondary schools often have fewer options available at GCSE for example. Do both schools have sixth forms? Although some pupils move elsewhere for sixth forms, often schools give priority to pupils who have been there since Y7 which could also be a consideration.

I am local to Bristol and probably know which schools you are talking about. Am not sure if they fit the stereotype on here. I will send a pm.

3 questions:

Which gets the better results
Which offers a curriculum more likely to suit your child (larger schools usually have more year 10 and A level options)
Which one does your child prefer