Choosing a primary school?

[CharlieBubbles]

Just wondering if anyone has applied for a certain school and been refused but then appealed the decision? What is the process like?

Or is it worth going with a less good school and hoping that they get their act together?

Obviously DS is only 2 in May, so it's a year away yet but we're planning on buying our 'forever' family house and local schools are important.

[Micah]

Well here (SE LOndon) Appeals are made, but are rarely upheld (1 or 2 a year, if that). You should be able to get appeal success rates of your local council.

When I moved C was 2, and I did look into schools then. In the last 2 years though much has changed, and my top choice now no longer even figures on my list, a local "failing" school has improved beyond recognition.

My teacher friends say bad schools often get money and good teachers thrown at them, while good schools suffer.

[Abbie]

In the last 2 years though much has changed, and my top choice now no longer even figures on my list, a local "failing" school has improved beyond recognition.

WSS.

6 or 7 years ago I wouldn't have even considered sending Ellie to our village school. It was absolutely dire. A few years and a fantastic headmistress later and we're topping the SATs league tables for this area and have an outstanding Ofsted report.

Appeals are made here, but not often upheld. We only have 1 class per year so if there's no room, there's no room.

[CharlieBubbles]

It's good to hear stories of schools improving, that's putting my mind at ease a bit. The school is described as improving, so I would hope that they are already sorting out the problems highlighted in last year's Ofsted. I think there is a new headteacher, so hopefully that would make a real difference.

I think perhaps I'm worrying about the whole thing too much