Did you let your child choose their school?

[AhBiscuits]

DD is heading into Y6 so we'll be choosing her secondary shortly. We agree on 3 schools for the list but disagree with the order.

School 1 is a brilliant school and top choice for both DD and us. No guarantee we'll get a place. If you are within the catchment area, which we are, it's just names in a hat, pure luck. Every year there are lots of disappointed families.

School 2 is also a very good school. It's our safe choice for the list because she'd definitely get in to this one. Some of DD's friends will go here, it's a short walk from home.

School 3 is an all girls school. Similar to School 1, admission is a lottery so we just don't know if she'd get in.

DD wants to put School 3 as second choice. My main issue with that is I really want both my kids to go to the same school. It would be a lot more convenient and they could look out for eachother a bit. DS is two years below and obviously cannot go to School 3. I don't know if I should overrule her or not. She's quite taken with the idea of a girls school. A couple of neighbour kids she's friends with are going there in September.

First and foremost, I have convinced my daughter that she will thrive wherever she goes (and I do believe it myself!), given that we are in the fortunate position that all the schools under consideration are at least good ones. She has her priorities, but she will be perfectly happy if she ends up going elsewhere. The final decision will be made after the 11+ exams, taking into account both her preferences and ours, which have a big overlap with some differences.