Primary school league tables.

[scoop]

we're just in the process of applying for scoop jr's primary school place.

 

We thought the decision had been made, until we saw the league tables published in last weeks Star.

 

The school we had origionally put down as first choice for various reasons, did quite badly, and a primary school which is closer, and was originally our second choice has done very well. A relative is a governor at the origional first choice, and was very defensive when we discussed our concerns with her, but in fact the excuses she gave us (high number of none english speakers and children with learning difficulties) didn't really do much to reassure.

 

Now I dont know what to do. Mr Scoop wants to change our first choice, but I feel very dubious.

 

The reasons we chose our origional first choice were all good reasons, but not necessarily to do with the quality of the school (convenience, location, family tradition amongst others).

 

How did you/will you choose your childs primary schoool? Do you have much faith in the league tables?

[samc]

I don't feel it is just about league tables. It is also about the school and their morals/ethics etc.... A school scoring straight A's is no good for a kid who is more of an average kid..

 

You need a happy school. A happy kids will grow and learn. Good levels of education are great but they don't have to be in the top.

 

There is a secondary school that is very high in the league tables but the pressure on the kids is quite scary and I know a few kids from there who hated the pressure and it put them off higher education.

[scoop]

Thanks for replying samc.

 

I agree, I have friends with children at both schools, and both seem to be happy and well balanced schools, it's just that the school we orgionally had as first choice did very badly as oppsosed to our origional second choice (which is our catchment school) which did quite well.

 

Our relatives who have children at the first choice school are quite offended at our dilemma, but I obviously want to do whats best for my son.

[samc]

Of course you do. And if your catchment school is good then consider that one cos' your boy will move on with those mates to the next school. And going to your local school is great if the school is quite involved in the community.

 

I don't envy your decision. Have you been to look at both schools? That might help you know which is best for you boy.

[yummyyumyum]

my daughter goes into full time school after xmas.

as far as im aware the results for the school she will be going to arent that great but i have to say she has left the nursery there able to identify most of the alphabet can count upto and past 20 (actually counting objects rather than just resiting the sounds) she can write brilliantly ( she can write her name with no prompting of letters and without any sort of guideline) and can identify shapes, colours etc. she knows her left and right. my daughter is not yet 4 1/2.

 

my friends son who is 2 months older than my daughter cant do half of this stuff despite going to a nursery within a school which is supposed to be a lot better as far as these results tables go.

 

i have met my daughters foundation level 2 (reception) teacher and she seems to know her stuff, i am very impressed.

 

i personally think these tables are rubbish. the schools in the "deprived" areas often come out at the bottom end of the table granted but in my opinion this has nothing to do with the quality of the teaching within the school but generally more to do with the support, or lack of support that the child recieves at home.

[scoop]

 

i personally think these tables are rubbish. the schools in the "deprived" areas often come out at the bottom end of the table granted but in my opinion this has nothing to do with the quality of the teaching within the school but generally more to do with the support, or lack of support that the child recieves at home.

 

I tend to agree. What really shocked me was that two schools that are in close proximety and appear to have roughly the same demographic could have such differences in their results.

[snooze]

i think the league tables need stopping, the difference in position on them can change from year to year, my daughters school was in the top 5 two yrs ago now its somthing like 55th. plus if the chid wants to learn/do well at school and is encouraged then he/she will regardless of the school. you do still have time to change your mind if you have only just applied you can log on and do it up to the 31st dec, all you need is the pass word on the letter from the admissions place.

[Yellowrose]

 

How did you/will you choose your childs primary schoool? Do you have much faith in the league tables?

 

I generally ignore the primary league tables. I maybe sometimes look at the secondary. I am an ex primary school teacher and I feel that the league tables give just a tiny snapshot of what a school is like, and this is often a distorted picture.

 

This is how I chose a school for our boy who starts next September. First I thought about which schools were in the proximity. This is more important than you think, not just for convenience, but for your child's social circle. Then I looked at their OFSTED reports. By this time I had a shortlist. I also considered children who lived nearby and the school they went to and how I thought it reflected on them.

 

I visited my favourites. I got a feel for the school this way. It was a bit naughty but I turned up unannounced. The one I had already more or less settled on were unfazed by this, and were organised in telling me what I wanted to know and getting me their booklet etc. They also offered me an appointment with the head which I thought was very good.

 

The league tables change from year to year in many cases dramatically. The results may be distorted by many reasons ranging from changes of staff to large numbers of pupils with SEN etc.

 

The best advice I can give you is go with your gut feeling. Which school matches your child best? My two grown up children both went to different secondary schools for instance, both had very good reasons for wanting to go to their choice of school and we went along with it because we saw that they would fit best with their choice of school. The school with the highest number of points isnt always the best school for your child. The school which has an ethos and policies which match your ideals for child development is the best one for you.

[fox20thc]

I only realised this year that the position in the table can change drastically based upon the number of year 6 children in that SAT period and how many did the tests.

 

Its difficult because if a school has children with additional needs be it a mild dyslexia to severe learning difficulties, this doesnt mean the school isnt successful but thats how it looks on the tables.

[scoop]

Then I looked at their OFSTED reports.

I've tried looking at the OFSTED reports, the one that is available online is five years old, will there be a newer one than this?