Need to choose school

[Mimena]

Would really appreciate some views on our options, as the end of October deadline looms closer and we try to work out our order.

We have four possible options to consider, after DS aced the neighbouring county grammar test. We initially did 11+ to give us a back up in case we didn’t get our preferred out of catchment comp school, but now second guessing ourselves.

1. Catchment comprehensive school is in special measures and been struggling for quite a while, not great results, struggling to find subject specialist teachers but a brand new head that I liked a lot. Think it’s too little too late for us though. Some of ds’s friends going here.
2. Out of catchment comprehensive that we were 50/50 for getting into, but after the good impression of the other catchment school head, I reckon there’s now a decent chance of a place. Ofsted good, results good for able students in main subjects, less convincing for humanities, languages, IT. 30 minute bus journey to get there. Second DC would definitely get a place in two years if we got DS in (places expected to get much tighter in the next few years). Wasn’t wowed at this year’s open eve / day visits, seemed complacent, but it’s likely fine. Ds’s closest friends opting for here, so ds would probably prefer it.
3. Grammar 1, in neighbour county, one of the top English state schools. Didn’t really expect to get a place. Academically amazing, but what appeals most is the extracurricular - expectation of the kids getting involved in all sorts - DS probably suits the school style. 1 hr 15 travel time, would mean one of us dropping / picking up at bus or train as part of our commute in same direction (included in travel time). One local friend going here.
4. Grammar 2, not far behind the other grammar in reputation, a little less stellar in its results but more homely. Lots of extracurricular too, but harder for ds to do after school stuff here with travel options. Could see it suiting dc2 as well (grammar 1 would not). Similar travel time to grammar 1 but would not involve us dropping off. Knows no one going here.

We’re going round the houses. DH favouring option 3 despite not being a remotely pushy sort, I’m flitting between 2, 3 and 4. DS doesn’t have a strong preference beyond liking the idea of being with his friends at option 2 school. Not sure if I should be ignoring the consequences for dc2 of being sorted for a school place if ds gets option 2; grammar is a possibility for them too, but maybe more unpredictable than ds1.

Thoughts and points to consider most welcome!

1.15 is a hell of a long travel time and could be longer if public transport delays occur. We chose a school that means ds1 has a 45min journey each way, up to 1 hour if there's a problem and its plenty.

I’d go for 3, then 4, then 2.

Am in the same situation. Good luck.

Hm yea that’s a very long day especially with the amount of home work he’ll be getting at a grammar. Sounds like he’d do really great in option two in my opinion. Really smart kids tend to get picked on in failing schools so I don’t think I’d go with that but the good comp sounds great, and the distance is just long enough to make new friends but not overly tiring. Does it matter if the grammar has extra curricular if he won’t be able to use them due to travel?

Thanks for the thoughts so far. Extracurricular for grammar 1 is mostly in the school day, but later travel home is more flexible than grammar 2.

It’s all been complicated by the fact that I currently work close to grammar 2, maybe 10 mins from grammar 1, and my commute is 30 mins. But my job is not secure so I’m trying to discount this.

I can only sympathise. We’re in a similar situation with a private school an hour away vs a good comp 40mins away. Still not decided.
I guess weigh up the pros and cons, have you thought about giving the grammar a good go and if it doesn’t work out move him to the comp with his old mates? He may fall in love with it and want to do the distance. Lots of rural kids have to travel that far and they’re fine.

Also, try and not stress about the other child. They’ll be fine wherever they go too and if the bad school has a good head now it may improve so much that the other comp is less competitive to get into.

Gloucestershire? If this is the case, the commute time to the grammars is not unheard of with their pupils. Don't choose Grammar 2 on the basis it may be right for both your DC. There's no guarantee DC2 will get a place there. Make your decision based on the certainties. DC1 has been offered a place at one of the best state schools in the country and you think it will suit them. To me, with that information, I am wondering why you are even considering any other option?

Yes Gloucestershire! I may have been reading the elevenplus forum too much, where the standard view is v critical of the OOC travel times. Just trying to think through what’s best for ds and the family. They’re in secondary a long time.

Had your Ds done the journey he would need to do for the Grammars?

My DC1 had a very similiar range of options and in the end, in respect of friends and travel times we / he chose the available Comp that does well by high achievers. Currently predicted 3A* at A level.

But sport was not a concern. Music was and the music Offer at the comp has been extraordinary.

Journey time for the grammars is too much (unless you are planning to move closer?) I had a similar journey as a child and it was exhausting (you'll have plenty of posters on here saying it is fine, and their DC use the travel time to talk to friends and listen to music), but the reality is it's a chunk of time out of the day, that you can't spend doing anything else - plus is that worst scenario time or will it be worse in winter in rush hour? What if your child does an after school activity? What does the travel look like? How will they be able to see friends?

Of the other two, hard to say. I'd go with gut feel and/or DS's preference.

Thanks again for the thoughts. For clarity, the commute to grammars would be out of the house at around 7.15, travelling with kids going to same school, and back home at 4.45. That includes allowing for roads being busier etc. If he went to the out of catchment comp, he’d leave home at 8 and be back at around 4. He’s currently out by 8 and home by 6.15 with wraparound care.

Just been discussing whether we would move closer - not for the first year at least, and it would be a wrench, we’ve really settled into the community where we live.