Continued from School Visit Number 1
School B's visit was scheduled for 2pm, so there was time for a spot of lunch. Unfortunately, I developed a pounding headache but had to continue. In fact, we were all so impressed with School A it was tempting to cancel our visit to the other school. But we didn't.
Our main reasons for continuing with the visit were that Rhiannon knows three children at this school and it follows a curriculum we are accustomed to. And it's good to have a back up.
The very long, low and frankly ugly, building was situated in a cul de sac with another school backing onto it; there was a shared playground. Just down the road was a brothel... (more about that another time!)
We were greeted by the Admissions Officer and swiftly taken to meet the Head of School. In his office we were told all about the number of different nationalities attending the school... in great, statistical detail. It was rather impressive. We had fewer questions about the curriculum with this school but more about changes the school is going through. Changes we've heard about via other parents of kids in this school. Questions were answered satisfactorily, but overall, I felt we'd been "politicalised" - the language was all 'spin' and little substance.
This school is absolutely full and we had been told there would be no spaces until September.
A tour of the school commenced. Every time a classroom door was opened, Rhiannon anxiously peered in to see if she could spot her friends. Eventually she was rewarded; and in rather spectacular way.
She stood open-mouthed and incredulous, staring at a boy near the back of the room. "Is that N?", she asked the teacher.
It was indeed "N". And at that moment he spotted her and nearly fell off his chair in astonishment! He exclaimed "That's Rhiannon! I know her from my last school!" Yes indeed, he was one of the children who left her current school at the beginning of the summer holidays. Not only that, but N was a lad who Rhiannon rather 'liked'...
Rather flushed, she peered into the next room and spotted the other children we know, plus an additional girl she knows from riding.
From the friendship side of things, School B was winning hands down.
Now we were in a bit of a quandary.
My head was no better and Tim and Rhiannon were also drained. So we went home to think about the options.
An hour later the Admissions Officer from School B called. Once again, Rhiannon's native English status was in demand and she was offered a place. To do this, the school increased the maximum class size. Interesting! She wanted to arrange Rhiannon's trial days there and then, but it was all too much so I said we'd think about it and I would call them in the morning.
When we'd all revived a little we had a discussion.
Rhiannon chose School A... thank goodness!
While she didn't exactly have the final word on the matter, it is important that she is happy at school. And she chose the one that Tim and I agreed on anyway, so everyone is happy.
I was initially a bit anxious that School A had an educational system that will be hard to continue if and when we move back to the UK. But I think it will work out OK in the end. Unlike many parents and all schools, I am not one of those people who think education is the most important thing in a child's life, although it would be good if she learns something. Her happiness is most important and she can always go back to education in later years. I've learned more since I left school than I ever did while I was there.
A happy ending (I hope!). I called School B and let them know we didn't want the place. Rhiannon will do her trial at School A next week and we'll take it from there.
And no more school uniform to find!