Difficult choice

[paintedred]

I am facing a tough choice in regard to my Middle Daughters education and would like a bit of advice/support/what -have -you!

DD was allocated a place at the senior school that my oldest (16) is currently attending. It wasn't my first choice but isnt the worst school in the world and is certainly the best in our area( the other two are in special measures) but although the school has been graded satisfactory after new head has arrived and the exam results have goneup/ changes are being made, this school has quite a high level of disruptive behaviour and lack of good teaching and I feel in other ways it failed my oldest Daughter , which has put me off.
As my DD is a clever and sensible girl who loves to learn, myself and my Husband accepted that she will be ok and still do well even if the school isnt the best , we felt we had no chocie as the schools we liked were out of our area and over subscribed. I thought at least she has the confidence in knowing people that go to the school and its only 10 minutes from home, hey ho that kind of thing. Shes ok with it so that was that.

However since Friday this is all up in the air as we were contacted by county offering our Daughter a place at a very good small girls school via the continuing interest list. My Daughter acheived high results on the entrance exam ( she is a gifted and talented student) and only missed out due to distance.

Initialy after the shock myself and hubby were overjoyed, until reality set in and we have had a look at the bigger picture.
The main problem being it is a 10 mile trip there, amounting to 40 miles a day - which wasnt that bad and until we found out county has withdrawn the school bus provision as the school is small and most girls are driven, or local to the school, worse still there is no public bus service as it is semi rural there either!!

My Husband work hours are such he can drive her, but I cannot and Im worried about if she is ill - how can i get her home, what about friends - would i be isolating her as no children in this area attend the school, which is a big thing i suppose although she doesnt play out as shes quite a homebody and reads a lot.
Am I letting my older Daughters bad experience ( she was bullied and went off the rails at one point, boys and so forth) push me into overprotecting my other child, even though they are as different girls as chalk and cheese?
Middle DD doesnt mind either way, shes very easy going and chilled, shes clued up enough to know that she and her friends from primary will go their seperate ways once in seniors, but I feel I may be putting her in for a tough time socially,no one will be from her area or know her, although on the other hand I want her to carry on taking her studies seriously and not end up always out and losing interest as my older one did due to the environment of the other school ( and obviously her personality)

I always said I will do what it takes to help DD reach her potential but the lack of transport has thrown us. We have a week to accept /reject the new offer. We are in turmoil!

[CrystalChandelier]

If most girls are driven, could you work with another family with a daughter at the girls' school who live nearer to you to share transport and driving? You can't be the only ones in this situation and the school may be able to advise you.

Could you get together with the parents of other children who relied on the cancelled bus service to block book a taxi service? If not, could you consider a taxi - expensive, but perhaps heavily discounted for block bookings?

[mumblechum1]

Crystal chandelier has some very good ideas there. It's true that she won't be able to play out after school with her school friends, but ds is in the same boat (no one from our village goes to his school), but they can make up for that either by doing after school clubs together and'or by getting together at weekends.

I'd go for it if I were you.

[belledechocchipcookie]

My son's school is 16 miles away and I take him on public transport, then come home to work, then collect him again. It's not too bad, not ideal though. Crystal's suggestion is good.

[eatyourveg]

I'd gp for it too and hope that there are other parents who you can lift share with.

School bus provision is being pulled in lots of places. You may find that individual schools set up their own provision (our primary did) or that parents club together to set something up. The PTA might consider taking up the cause

If you turn down the chance and then in a couple of terms time discover that the school and/or parents have set something up, imagine how you will feel.