I got a letter at the weekend telling us we only had until January 15th to apply. I called local schools to arrange visits, as all their open days had been in the Autumn term and we'd missed them (I was still working full time at that point).
We arranged to see five local schools (we have to put three on our application) and managed to visit four of them - the fifth (which is actually our catchment school) cancelled as the head had to teach a class, they have fewer staff than other local schools.
I'm SO glad that I took Jellybean to visit the schools. Going from their websites and ofsted reports I would have picked school number three - but when we visited, the head wasn't interested in Roman, he got his secretary to show us around, she couldn't answer many of my questions and the overall feeling of the school was disinterest and lethargy.
The school we saw first was a maybe from my internet research, and charmed me completely when we went. The head showed us around herself, we had a meeting and long chat with the reception teacher and Jellybean got to play in the class with the other children. They were interested in him, in what we were looking for, detailed about how they could meet his needs and teach/challenge him as well as entertain him and ensure he would enjoy school.
I felt very positive leaving there and knew they were high on our list - and in that frame of mind headed to school two. Which was AWFUL. The head was odd, the classes felt musty, and when I asked about how they provide for the very intelligent children (having been told a lot about how they cater for those who struggle academically) he pretty much said that he leaves them to their own devices to learn alone, and pointed out a girl sitting at the back of the class working on her own, seperate to her classmates, and basically ignored by the teaching staff. This worried me, then when I asked if the local prep school offered scholarships he told me that he actively discourages the children who are offered it from going because 'the smarter children being stolen after we've put the work into them lowers the SATS results, so I don't allow them to leave if I can help it' - and that was that, he was off our list!
Actively holding back children who are given academic opportunities that could improve their chances later in life? Really?
Then we saw school three - the disinterested school - and I was feeling a little flat. On to school four.
AMAZING.
The head was wonderful - the teachers all keen, interested, happy and friendly. The children were all happy. There was an atmosphere of fun and you could see they were enjoying their lessons and all keen to progress. There were parents and governers working as volunteers hearing children read in the quiet corners, they all greeted Jellybean (all before they greeted me, since it was HIM who was visiting) and he was upset that he couldn't stay immediately.
A school where they are interested, keen, share my educational ideas (teach to ability, not age, and NO child, no matter their ability is left unsupported, either academically or emotionally, as I'd seen happen in school two) they have excellent resources, they keep the whole family involved in the child's development and work with other bodies in the area, and there's a wonderful community that the family are involved with, and excellent links to the high schools in the area so the progression upwards is natural and undaunting.
I wouldn't have picked that school from their website alone, though their ofsted is great, they aren't the closest and I thought from my research that I had my decision made.
Going to visit the schools was the best advice I was ever given - and has made choosing much easier. School four is, of course, our first choice - but I also know that if we aren't lucky enough to get a place there (as we're quite a way out of catchment, compared to other schools) then school one is a wonderful second choice and I know we would get a place there.
Overall I am thrilled with the experience, and it cemented to me what is important to us as a family in their education and development. I'm glad that there are two schools locally who will be so supportive and will develop Jellybean in such happy atmospheres, and are schools he would love to spend his days in.
He is a keen boy, friendly, academic, bright and desperate to go to school and learn more and play with the bigger boys and girls. He can't wait to read more books and do 'making maths' with his numbers.
I am a VERY proud Mummy, and I'm glad that we've made our choices, but I absolutely cannot believe that he's going to SCHOOL this year - like a big boy! I'm sure I only just had a baby!
Ah Elizabeth, what a lovely blog post. This week I've been deliberating over a difficult school choice decision so I share your pain/enthusiasm for the whole process. Our eldest is about to move from our gorgeous little village Infant school and up to join a local primary school (bigger schools, choice of 2, both very different - scary!). It's lovely to read your experience & it sounds like your choices are great & Jellybean will *LOVE* school!! It does come around rather fast though doesn't it?!
ReplyDeleteClaire x (@clairehol)
It's lightning fast - until you have children you never appreciate how quickly time rolls by! I hope that he thrives at school the way he has been at pre-school - I just can't believe how different they all are or how soon I have to apply!
DeleteIt's funny you publish this now. I was just chatting to DorkyMum on Twitter about school visits. She said she preferred the "less desirable" options after going to visit them.
ReplyDeleteYou have to make the best choice for YOUR child so going to visit them is a must. I can't believe anyone would make a decision based on Ofsteds or results alone but some people allow them to sway them and they ignore their instincts when looking around the school. Ofsted is only a snapshot of a school and in some cases can be years out of date. It's really only someone's opinion and that can be clouded by personality clashes and preset agenda. And results? Well, the current results available are for the kids that left last year and that means it's an 8 year difference between them taking SATs and your eldest. The school could completely change by then!
We went for a less obvious choice, partly because nearest school was church and at the time, very oversubscribed. However, I didn't like it when I went to see it and the head was very evasive when I asked her some questions. My kids current school was the first we went to see, and we were completely bowled over by it. The head was changing so we went back for a second look when she started and we still loved it. My kids have been happy and progressed really well there - they give Missy special maths sessions because she is so far ahead for her age.
Good luck with your application - hope you get one you are happy with.
The school that I thought was awful was very church - the two I've picked aren't church schools, though they both (particularly our first choice, school four) have links to the village/town church/abbey for the big festivals - but I checked and they celebrate the big festivals from other religions too, to teach all cultures and religions, and they don't have religious assemblies. I'm not sure why that matters to me so much but it does!
DeleteI'm glad they have that added support for your Missy too, extra support for bright children is so important, they need it just as much as any other child, but often get left to work alone because they find the work easy.
Well done Lizzie - it's a tough choice but sounds like you've made a good one. Fingers crossed for the place at Choice #1 x
ReplyDeleteThank you - I feel terribly grown up doing it all properly, rather than just going with our catchment school (gag) he deserves us putting real thought into it.
DeleteGood luck with your application! It's a nerve-wracking time (we went through it last year). You're lucky to have lots to choose from - where we are so many schools are over-subscribed and you have to be a stones throw away to secure a space (we did thankfully, but I know some people who didn't get allocate ANY school whatsoever - shocking!) Definitely agree to go on the feeling a school give out rather than websites and Ofsteds!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised how little advance notice we were given and how little guidance there is on how to make your selection. I would have thought, it being SO important, that you would be given plenty of information and help - I'm glad we managed to look around the schools so we could choose!
DeleteHelloo, Thanks for reminding me to get on and complete the application! :-/ We only managed to visit one school and didn't take Rowan with us. luckily we loved it and know that he will too! Hopefully he'll get in as I've actually struggled a bit with the 2nd and 3rd choices and may have run out of time now. You've inspired me to ring tomorrow to see if they'll fit us in!
ReplyDeleteWe moved last year from England, where Rowan went to pre-school to Wales where there is a different ethos for pre-schoolers with a lot more emphasis on play. The England approach seemed to suit him better so I can't wait for him to be in a more formal setting again!
Good Luck with the allocation!
We moved Jellybean (who is Roman to your Rowan!) to a new pre-school a little while ago where they have a more educational focus than his first - I understand your view there, he much prefers the new one with play AND education, preparing him for school. I hope he thrives as much in reception, and that your Rowan does too, it's so important that they enjoy it and get a lot out of it.
DeleteHaving been a reception teacher for 15 years, I've taught children of lots of different backgrounds and abilities. (I currently teach at a lovely community school where we have a wonderful mix of kids) For me, reception year is about developing social skills, making friends and learning through play; obviously they learn reading, writing and numeracy every day, but we do this all together and I certainly wouldn't separate children depending on how 'academic' they are (I shudder at the word in relation to a four year old!) There are children who do need extra support (both those who are perhaps a little slower to progress as well as those who are more advanced) and we do support this with the help of teaching assistants, mentors and the parents (who we actively encourage to get involved with their child's learning at school and in the home). I personally find that the weaker children benefit from working alongside the brighter kids and conversly the brighter kids learn skills from being with the weaker ones (they often thrive on helping others learn to do what they can do) I totallly share your view that academic progress is a key part of starting school, but with children so young I personally think that the social side of school is just as important. You only have to look at schools in Finland - they start at 6 years old with the main focus on learning through play, have no exams until at least 16, yet have some of the best results in European league table. Anyway good luck with it all - hope you get the school you want for your boy!
ReplyDelete