Geography was not the deciding factor when we were picking a school...

When it comes to choosing a school for your kids, all rational thought regarding geographical distance and other practicalities goes out the window

Julie Jay: The problem with the school geographically closest to us — a fine school, and a school I always dreamt of sending my kids to — is it is not the one his buddies are going to. Picture: iStock/PA

Before I had children, I always insisted that when it came to choosing a school for your child, every parent should simply go with the one geographically closest to them to
simplify things for themselves. When it came to my turn to choose a big school for Number One, like most big decisions in my life, I put it to the committee.

The problem with the school geographically closest to us — a fine school, and a school I always dreamt of sending my kids to — is it is not the one his buddies are going to. For months now, I have been asking the advice of friends, colleagues, and people standing beside me at bus shelters whether or not they would recommend choosing a school based on where a child’s friends are going. The responses have not been surprising.