What school to try send my son to?

[Mummabear21324]

My son starts secondary school after the summer and I’m not sure what to do as it’s complicated! We moved house while my son was in primary so kept him at the same school now he is due to go to high school and most of his friends are going to Bellahouston. As we moved out of Mosspark, Bellahouston isn’t close to us anymore making it a bit unsuitable. I would like to put a placing request in for Woodfarm and chance my luck, as it seems a much better school and is walking distance and closer drive from our house. Although my son is torn as he wants to be with all his friends at Bellahouston. I am stuck what to do, should I send him to Bellahouston with his friends? (Which I would also need to put a placing request in for) or try get him in Woodfarm without friends but closer to home and more suitable? Also our catchment school for area is Hillpark which doesn’t get a good write up compared to Woodfarm.

Hey @Mummabear21324 might be n idea to ask MN if they can edit your post to say what area you are talking about (not one I know, sorry) then you might get more replies.

Did you apply for a school place in Sept/Oct this year? That decision will be based on your address then (is that still the same?). Are you likely to be allocated the schools you mention? Did you list them on the form? If not, then you are likely to be allocated a school you listed (if close to you) and would have to go on WL for any preferred school. I'm not quite clear whether you did list preferred schools or not tho – and if not why not?

Which school did you apply for jn October?
If you didn't you'll need to go on the waiting list so I'd put his name down on any that are semi practical and hope he gets one or you'll be home ending until a place come free I think.

I am guessing that as you are saying Placing Request your son has an EHCP rather than being part of the normal applications process?

If you are part of the normal application process the deadline was on 31st October but with an EHCP it's different.

I don't know any of the schools you mention but in general it is very silly to make any school decisions based on primary school friends. Most senior schools have about 6 classes per year group with an intake from dozens of primary schools. It is very unlikely that he will be in a class with any of his primary school friends.

If the close by school is good quality and can meet his needs that will be a far better choice.

Ah OK thanks @MarketValveForks I wasn't aware of the significance of the phrase the OP used.

I agree btw that primary friends don't always stay as friends IME; much better to go for the local school if it has the facilities you need and will support your son well.

I think OP is actually in Scotland. That is where ‘Placing Request’ is a relevant term.

Yes, I'd get this moved over to Scotsnet, as it's a completely different system up here, and you'll get more chance of local advice. Have you any idea how many placing requests are usually accepted at either of the schools you are looking at? Round here if your placing request fails you also lose automatic catchment school place so he could end up a lot further away, so I'd only risk it if historically a good proportion of placing requests are granted (may be different rules with you though).

Sorry I didn’t clarify! I am in Glasgow, so placing requests are put through now, it’s complicated because the school closer has a much higher exam rate pass but it’s outwith our catchment. The school his friends are going to is outwith our area but he has a higher chance of this placing request getting accepted as his primary school follows on to Bellahouston. I am hesitant to chance the placing request for the better school as if it gets refused I might need to send him to catchment school which is notorious for bullying and poor exam results. Thanks I will look on Scotnet, have never heard of that.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/scotsnet

If you report your original post I'm sure mumsnet will move it across.

If your catchment school is a definite no go then I'd look for the one that you've most chance of getting placed in. I think distance to school does count but very far down the criteria list, so if one school is historically under-filled and grants most placing requests and the other is historically full from catchment then I'd go for the first one. Can your primary headteacher advise at all?