Oh bum! I was hoping for a blinding flash of light today, a revelation, but didn't get one

[roisin]

We have narrowed secondary school choices down to two options:

1. State school, but out-of-catchment, and we may not get in
2. Small independent school - non-selective and certainly not an academic hot-house, but does get good results

We've been to open days, read Ofsted reports and prospectuses, visited school 1 during school day, and today visited school 2.

IMO School 2) is the safe option - he will be happy there and do well. But it is quite probable he would do equally well at school 1, which of course is a lot cheaper.

Dh prefers 2) atm, I prefer 1).

Which does DS like?

Ds hasn't seen option 1) yet, but is quite happy with either possibility atm.

do you need pre/after school care and does the independent school offer this?

I ask because this is one of the reasons that we chose a school very like 2 for our two kids.

They have all manner of after school activities, karate, yoga, science clubes sports music groups. the kids love them, and for me they can be a life saver as I have 1 pick up and 1 drop off.

MB: We don't currently use before/after-school care, but it's certainly a useful option.

I am coming round to the idea of 2) I think. It's funny how the little things strike you:

The way and manner the students greet the teacher in the corridor.
The cloakroom - we walked past a room full of coats hung up and bags of sports equipment neatly stowed on the floor.