Advice on choosing a NS school please

private

Best primary school option

2 room school with circa 30 pupils in total divided into 2 classes
vs. large national school with 32 children per class

I am leaning towards the smaller school as it could be a unique learning environment for a bright child however I am aware there could be disadvantages if she didn't like the teacher for instance.

They are both close enough to us but not in the immediate vicinity. I would love to get a place in the school nearest us ( gaelscoil) but I am not holding my breath as demand is very high

They both have very good school inspection reports - especially the smaller school.

Anyone out there with experience of attending, teaching or with children in a small 2 teacher school. Any advice on the pros and cons would be appreciated.

Cailin CoisFarraige

Small school
> one-on-one attention
> small community means that the kids in every class know each other and play together
> would most likely have most of their school friends living nearby (though this is not a guarantee - I know of one similar school where more than 6 of the kids travel roughly 30 minutes in the mornings)
> more informal education - from a teacher's point of view, there's a lot more freedom to interpret the curriculum - for example, a nature walk or random outing is a lot more feasible with a class of 10 than 32.
> the possibility that the school will lose numbers meaning your child would have to transfer to another school

Large school
> more diverse personalities, cultures
> wider choice of extra-curricular activities
> usually, but I stress not always, better resourced
> wider circle of friends and opportunities for making friends
> more interaction with kids their own age
> new teacher and classroom every year

I prefer larger schools, but obviously that's just a personal opinion. The best advice I can give you is to visit each of the schools, meet the staff, talk to other parents in both schools if you can, and see where you, and your child, feel most comfortable.

byhookorbycrook

I taught in a two teacher and loved it.Teacher has to be especially organised because there are 4 class groups.If you have two good teachers, access to a learning support teacher and the children seem happy, then go for it. However, a two teacher can mean that a child is stuck with a teacher they may not gel with for 4 years.I think you need to visit both, to get a proper sense of what the schools are really like, talk to parents in both too.

private

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

I taught in a two teacher and loved it.Teacher has to be especially organised because there are 4 class groups.If you have two good teachers, access to a learning support teacher and the children seem happy, then go for it. However, a two teacher can mean that a child is stuck with a teacher they may not gel with for 4 years.I think you need to visit both, to get a proper sense of what the schools are really like, talk to parents in both too.

Thanks for the feedback. It's great to hear from a teacher who taught this way. I will try to find out more and visit the school. I don't want to seem cheeky but I've already secured a place so I've nothing to lose.

I've been doing some research on multi-age learning and it does appeal to me. I was very bored in junior school and I can't see how my daughter ( who is pretty bright) wouldn't be fruastrated by having to learn in tandem with 32 children.

However If I get the gael scoil I'd definitely put her there as it's a short walk rather than a bus or car journey. She's be in with 32 kids there anyway but I think the challenge of ag foghlaim as gaelige would keep her stimulated. I enjoy Irish myself so would be thrilled if she got the opportunity. Not holding my breath though...

I didn't spend so much time worrying about my Leaving Cert, CAO, Wedding Childbirth etc.. as trying to get the right school sorted for my child :eek:

echo beach

I attended a small school and consider the biggest advantage to be that you learn right away that the teacher will spend a lot of time with the other classes and you have to work by yourself. All the pupils became what are now called 'self-directed learners'.
It does require a particular skill set from the teacher, and the inspection reports would suggest that is present.
There is the danger of a personality clash. Some bright children can get under a teacher's skin and annoy them without meaning to. Speaking to the teacher and a few parents should give you a good idea if this may be a problem.

Don't stress yourself too much over this. It is an important choice but the chances are your daughter will do fine in either. What happens at home is the main factor in how well she gets on at school.

private

Thank you all for the very helpful advice. I went to a bit of a sh*t primary school myself (but everything was good at home - so I survived it). I still think the small school sounds lovely but will wait and see until I hear from the other schools. Thanks again everyone!

eimsRV

Hi Private


Just wondering what you decided? My DD has secured a place in a small new gaelscoil with only 2 classes for 13/14. She also has a place in a national school which will have 4 junior infant classes, about 1000 students in the school!
I've decided on the gaelscoil, have been there for a few meetings and everyone is so friendly. My preference is for her to be educated via gaelige so this was a strong factor, but the size differences of the 2 schools did concern me too. In the larger school there may be more options but in the smaller school she will get more attention.

E

private

Hi Eimsrv

As it turns out she got in to my first choice which was the nearest school, a very popular gaelscoil so the choice was easy in the end. I would have happily sent her to the small school though so a small gaelscoil sounds brilliant to me. Best of luck I think you have made the right choice.

Now about secondary... I've already started making enquiries

DecMillar

I am looking for advice on primary schools in Killarney for the daughter of a friend of mine who is a non-national and will be moving to Killarney shortly. Does anyone have any advice on Killarney primary schools - she is not Catholic and would prefer a school that might allow a religion opt-out

Cailin CoisFarraige

DecMillar wrote: »

I am looking for advice on primary schools in Killarney for the daughter of a friend of mine who is a non-national and will be moving to Killarney shortly. Does anyone have any advice on Killarney primary schools - she is not Catholic and would prefer a school that might allow a religion opt-out

The closest Educate Together school to Killarney is in Tralee, which is about 35 minutes away. In morning traffic, I'd imagine that would take the best part of an hour, particulary since the school is on the opposite side of Tralee.

EVERY Irish school, Educate Together included, teaches religion. Christian-ethos schools will give your friend the option to withdraw her daughter from Religious Education. Depending on the school policy, the teacher may give the student other work to do, or your friend might be able to take her daughter out of school for the half hour each day when Religion is being taught. Other students I have had have been allowed to read, do free writing, or perhaps have been given colouring books/ puzzle books by their parents.