would you send your child to this school?

blue_monkey_2

azana wrote: »

Seriously your friend would decide something that important on the basis of a poll on MSE? That's a bit random isn't it?

Personally I think your friend would be better off visiting both schools, preferably asking to go round them on a tour on a normal day - you get a good feel by visiting and seeing what the children who go to the school think. I can't see how anything anyone could say here could/should influence a decision like that.

Its always helpful to get the opinions of other people who have had children go through school, maybe the lady does not know anyone with older children.

As in my case, I did not know my son has additional needs when I sent him to school - however, the reason they had no kids there is because they did not want them there and this goes to show the kind of school that they are, they will be great if your children are 'easy' to teach but what if they become more of a challenge, will they be able to give them the help they need or get them shipped out elsewhere?

Robinred

The research shows that the "quality" of a school makes minimal difference to the achievement of a child in comparison to their early years development and their home life. You know, books on the shelves, meals at the table with the whole family, not too much telly... This is rather galling to teachers but there you have it! So in light of this I would recommend choosing a school on the basis of closeness to your friend's home, other people they know who have children going there, and the "feel" of the place.

Also, this is not very nice but some (NOT ALL thank goodness!) schools pull some pretty funky tricks to get good results from Ofsted and the Sats as were. In such schools children can be viewed as the means to an end and it can be a much less positive environment for them than in other schools. As others have said, your gut feeling and talking to other users is the best bet imho. HTH

daska

LOL, it depends so much on the child!!!!!!! e.g. on the surface of it I would choose school 1 for DS1 and school 2 for DS2. Why? Because DS1 has strong language skills but is more likely to be bullied whereas DS2 has severe language problems and would benefit from the additional experience the teachers there have in special needs.

Ultimately your friend needs to visit and choose for herself

neverdespairgirl

Robinred wrote: »

You know, books on the shelves, meals at the table with the whole family, not too much telly...

Books are of more benefit to a child (or an adult, come to that) when taken off the shelves, I reckon.

JC9297

daska wrote: »

LOL, it depends so much on the child!!!!!!! e.g. on the surface of it I would choose school 1 for DS1 and school 2 for DS2. Why? Because DS1 has strong language skills but is more likely to be bullied whereas DS2 has severe language problems and would benefit from the additional experience the teachers there have in special needs.

Ultimately your friend needs to visit and choose for herself

I think it is quite sad that you identify your older child as one who is likely to be bullied, what is it about him that you think says 'victim'?

I'm also interested to know why you think he is less likely to be bullied in school 1?

Errata

The state of the buildings doesn't matter, the ability of the teachers does.

meganandben

I'd go for the first school - it's on the up

babymoo

Our school was very small, a tiny field attached to it and that was it. It was the best school by far. The teachers made do and we used to go to the local sports hall to do sports etc. Lack of these facilities never stopped the school being an amazing one, the teachers are what counts in my opinion.