Moving house and new school - please take a look, a difficult choice!

Fly_Baby

In October, I will have to apply for my son's place in the primary school (he is in the infant school now in Year 1). We are also looking to move house and it makes sense to move closer to the school of our choice.

But now we found a good property much cheaper than the market rate and it is quite far away (1.4 miles) from my dream school. This school is always oversubscribed and the Ofsted report is outstanding.

There are three other schools near that potential address and two of them are good - but they take children from the age of 4, so my son at 7 y.o. will probably have to go on the waiting list. And the remaining one is basically on the doorstep and is primary (7 years old +) - but is much more average. And looks like this one will be considered "our" school when places are allocated.

The obvious solution - go for another house in proximity to the dream school - will cost on average £300 per month extra for the same kind of property. No kidding. And it will be a strain.

So what chances do I have to get in a good school? How are places allocated and what could influence the school's decision? I've read the admission criteria of course but can I find out how far down the priority list the school actually got if that's a popular school - i.e. what chances have those who don't live close?

Out of my son's class a half of children will go to my dream school (both church schools and our current school is even mentioned in the priority list, mind you, second from the bottom) but they live much closer. And it would be difficult for him not to have any friends at a new school - another big concern of mine.

Sorry for the long post - wanted to give enough info - and if I wasn't clear on any aspect, please ask questions if you would like to advise something - I really hope so!

Many thanks in advance!

Lindy-Lou_2

Well as a Mum of two, one at uni and the other just finishing, I really sympathise with you. Although your child's education/happiness is very important, you must take into account that your home is for you all and finances must be taken into consideration. It does matter which school they go to and a child will always learn as long as you support, teach and encourage in a happy environment at home, that is equally as important. Another £300 is a lot of money to find each month, if you think of the hours you will have to work to raise the money and the hours you would have to spend with your ds if you were at home more, I am sure the latter would be preferable, plus it puts a strain on your relationship. Children soon make new friends and move on, he can still keep in touch and have sleep overs etc. (My friend moved back from the US, the kids didn't want to but now they never mention it and are happy well adjusted children with lots of friends and a new education system!)

School admissions are a nightmare and secondary schools are even worse, then it will be 6th form and possibly university. In a nutshell, if it is ds being taken out of his environment and adjusting, being given the love and time you have for him V you not being around as much, being more tired, possibly putting a strain on everything and incurring debt then I think the first points have to win!!

Sorry as school admissions vary so much by area and I don't know where you live, I can't really advise.

Enjoy your son and remember that children are very resilient, they remember lots and especially rows/tensions, your love and time (in my mind) will make for a happier child.

Good luck. If you want to PM me that is fine.

robbiecaratiger

HI FlyBaby

For me, its a comparative no-brainer. I'd go with the property of your choice and then see if you drop on fortunate with your schooling of choice.

My son moves up to Y7 in September. Now for a long list of reasons (none of them his fault) He's already had FIVE primary schools. This was due to bereavement, house moves, moving areas etc..

Don't under-estimate a childs' resilience. They're incredibly resourceful and tough little blighters. To be honest, my wife used to work in a Primary School, and the decision of "where" to send your son, whilst important honestly isn't that crucial.

So he may end up going to a school that's not top of your list. Secondary education is SIGNIFICANTLY more important, and as Lindy-Lou rightly says each area has different admissions policies.

Me, I'd go with the property of my choice. He'll soon be inviting mates round for tea, whichever school he goes to I'm sure. As I say, it's when they're that bit older that the education decisions become increasingly more important.

Just my opinion - hope it helps

Robbie

Oldernotwiser

You could buy quite a lot of extra coaching for your son with £300 per month if he doesn't get into your preferred school.

If the school you're likely to get into is reasonably ok (as opposed to a sink school), I'd go for the move. If you get into your ideal school don't worry about it - 1.4 miles is nothing, less than half an hour's walk.

Good luck.

Susan_Frost

Definitely go for the house rather than the school.

There seem to be no guarantees about school allocation whereever you live, but £300 per month will be for much longer than while he is in primary. As posted already, you can buy a lot of education for £300 per month - tuition, books, school trips, your time to spend helping with homework, etc.

The kids will do as well as they are able for one main reason - you have education as a priority. Doing homework, regular attendance at school, general attitude towards learning etc. are as important as the quality of school and only parents can give a child these things.

There is no guarantee your children will be happy at the "better" schools and you could end up moving them for that reason anyway.

£300 extra mortgage EVERY MONTH would be the only certainty in all this.

Oldernotwiser

Don't get me wrong, if you can get him into one of the better schools I'd do so but as long as the one he'll probably end up is reasonable, don't let this sway your choices.

If we were talking about secondary, my advice might well be different.

Fly_Baby

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, if you can get him into one of the better schools I'd do so but as long as the one he'll probably end up is reasonable, don't let this sway your choices.

If we were talking about secondary, my advice might well be different.

Incidentally, this house IS within 0.8 miles from a much sought-after secondary school. But at the moment this is not crucial because the house is rental and I am not sure that we will still be in it 4 years on, when it's time to apply for the secondary school.

mountainofdebt

The other thing to remember is that the standard of a school can go up as well as down in a short space of time.

I remember when I started secondary school, it had an excellent reputation mainly due to the headmaster there who was from the old school (if you pardon the pun!) way of teaching. The year I did my GCSEs he left and a new headmaster came in and almost immediately the standards started to slip.

We have had a look at their prospectus for the sixth form, for my son and to be honest they hardly do any academic subjects there any more, so that one is off the list.

bonty44

Have you been to see the school and the other ones nearby?

Don't just rely on Ofsted reports or paperwork! The only way you will know is to visit the schools, find out what the Admissions Criteria are and talk to them about their catchment area.

There may well be flexibility as there is only a 30 children maximum limit for classes in Key Stage 1 (i.e. reception up to end of Year 2)

Penny-Pincher!!

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, if you can get him into one of the better schools I'd do so but as long as the one he'll probably end up is reasonable, don't let this sway your choices.

If we were talking about secondary, my advice might well be different.

I totally agree with your comments!

We have always been lucky with DD's education and choice of schools. When we moved DD was about 8 and was offered a place at a local school which was OK but brilliant. I called the school we had looked into and was told there were no places but to apply anyway. DD was offered a place the following week. You can appeal and put your case forward.

Now secondary is totally different. I have known parents to beg, borrow and steal to get into a suitable school for their children. 2 parents I know, went to church for a year :eek:when the kids were year 6, just incase they didnt pass the 11+....both didnt and neither got into the catholic school either:rolleyes:

Where we live the difference in education between Comprehensive and Grammar schools are HUGE....and I am NOT joking! Luckily DD passed and got into her first choice. She is in year 9 and doing well and in line for 14 GCSE's...go girl!!

PP
xx

jenhug

we moved to be near the school of our choice. it has an excellent everything on paper. It suits one child but for my other child it has been quite frankly one of the worst decisions I ever could have made. So don't choose the school just because of how it performs on paper, often that is only one side of the story.