What would you do? (School)
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@Sam Our first choice is a better school that’s a drive away as well, but the second option would just be a longer drive and it’s bad in rush hour. But, a better school nonetheless!!
Definitely the better school! I feel like you are settling for the convenient one just cause its close..
@Chloe is there a longer route that you can take that avoids the congested places? X
The better school!
@Robyn Oh 100%. I was really hoping to like it and I just didn’t 😭 would have definitely made life easier!!
@Sam They’re all quite congested but we would just have to find which route was best!
Better school over convenience. Our son is going 20-30 minutes away but it’s the best school for him xx
At the time of applying for my now 8 (nearly 9 :O ) yr old, my village school was both convenient + the school I deemed the best for the area both with Ofsted, parent reviews and the general 'vibe' when visiting. However, if my choice was taking place last year when the school had lost their ofsted good, the teachers were all jumping ship etc then I wouldn't have entertained it and chosen a better school that includes a drive. The school has made huge improvements as promised hence I didn't remove him last year and I will be sending my daughter there September 2025 🤞🏻
The thing about a school with a drive means traffic, getting everyone ready much earlier and those Winter mornings when the weather is bad and it's icy and the car needs de-icing etc. however just something I would get used to if it meant my children got a better start
@Peer95 It’s been a difficult one to navigate. We always assumed the school in our village would be where he would go, so to now be in a situation where I don’t even really want it as a choice has definitely shaken things up a little. The drive absolutely makes day to day life more inconvenient, and affects my other child too, but you’ve hit the nail on the head - we think we just need to get used to it in order to feel content with the school he goes to.
Absolutely- I was so tempted to remove mine last year but the thought of having to be in two places at once and the commitment to years of more petrol costs and timings difficulties etc made me really consider it! If the school didn't make improvements it has though I would have bailed 😅 Your child might be fine there and get on great but if they don't and you already had that gut feeling then you'd be kicking yourself
@Peer95 I bet! I think that’s the thing, we can always look to move him if a school really doesn’t work out, but to put him in one we feel on the fence about already (well, I’m more off the fence on the side of not liking it 😂) and then have him struggle there or not like it, I would feel really guilty! I totally underestimated how easy/hard this would be! 😅
@Chloe definitely an option but then you feel guilty for sending them there and having to then remove them. Thankfully (most) children adapt quickly to change though! I KNOW! Even though I have worked in pre-schools, I still didn't really know if the one I had chosen was 'the best' although I only really look for one thing and that's whether the staff genuinely care and WANT to do that job as I'm just looking for my child to be looked after properly and have a good time by loving staff rather than getting an education
Put the school you want, not the one just because it's local. We are not putting our local & only catchment school as it doesn't fit with what we want or need.
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@Kath We will be putting the school we want first, it’s out of catchment. This post is about the other choices though. I don’t necessarily want the school that’s further away, but I do prefer it over the closest one. If I could choose of course I’d have neither, because we’d get our first choice, but there’s a realistic possibility that’s not going to happen!
@Chloe I'd put the school you prefer for your other choices.
I’m putting three schools all further than my local which is a short, almost traffic-free route. Better choice for me, for sure
I would do better choice. We've done that with our July baby (live in wales so application is slightly different) and got a space at our preferred school. She's settled in well so pleased with our choice
The better school..but I live in rural Devon so would have to drive no matter what. I'm choosing a school that is more of a drive because I feel it's better for my LO x