Secondary school choices - what would you do?!

[Seed]

Secondary school choices - what would you do?! 

My daughter is ten years old. She’s very sensitive, she likes to feel nurtured and supported. She is also very bright, sociable and creative. She can be shy in large groups, and she also can struggle and get overwhelmed with school work / reading. I would say she is not ‘academic’ but she does well enough, she could do a lot better if she pushed herself and realized how capable she is.

We have choice of following secondarys:

Choice 1: very small state school (700 in total), most of her friends are going, very heart Centred however known to be underfunded, under resourced, disorganized and never pick up phone. Ofsted rating good and they do well enough in league tables. NO 6th form. They do have some nice club, it appears very friendly, although a little rough round the edges. Has a charming feel to it, and feels like a school!

Choice 2: very large state school, rated one of the top 5 schools in county alongside 4 grammar schools. 2300 kids. Exceptional teaching, facilities and buildings. (Only built a few years ago so very modern, spacious and swish) academic so push children but also lots of clubs and societies. Ofsted rating outstanding. Downsides are that there doesn’t seem to be much in places in terms of smaller communities and nurture. No quiet room they can go to when things get too much etc… unless you’re in a ‘club’ that is. Has a very cold and clinical feel about it! More like giant offices than a school!

I’ve looked round both, my daughter changes her mind constantly and doesn’t have a preference. She changed every day and feels it’s too hard a choice. She likes the idea of a fresh start and exciting new school but worried about size and missing her friends. The small school is also very tired looking, shabby etc.

Ultimately I want her to do well academically but most importantly want her to be happy.

I’ve asked other parents who all have mixed experiences with both, but the bigger school
Is the most recommended.

I feel like perhaps she’d be more suited to smaller school but at same time I don’t want to hold her back when the big school could be a chance for her to grow and shine .✨

Any advice / experiences / opinions most welcome!! Thanks

OP

[LifeEnjoyer]

This reminds me of when it was time for me to choose a secondary school (we called it high school.) The choices I had were fairly similar. My parents and I agreed upon, what yours would considered, option 1.

And I loved it.

The diversity of perspectives, the teachers felt genuine about leading their students and I’m just so grateful about the whole experience.