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I would opt for the school that is best able to cater for your child's emotional and developmental needs. The school that will differentiate, that will understand that an adopted child will probably come with additional needs and will support her - not judge or assume that she is 'naughty' or that she won't do, rather than can't do. A 15-20 minute bus journey may well be a pita - buses don't always run to time, having to be ready every morning in order to get on that bus may well increase stress levels!! I would worry less about school Ofsted rating and look more at its pastoral care tbh. My three all went to a high achieving school. One coped just fine, two haven't and I've had to move them both.

I agree with Donatella, look at the Ofsted reports, but don't look at scores, look at the pastoral care and the special needs policies. That is where you find out if they are flexible and willing to see children as individuals with differing needs, rather than a one size has to fit all and achieve A grades in everything!Any journey to school is a bit of a hassle. I do know that being in a car does make your child open up more so perhaps it would give you an opportunity to find out more about what your child is feeling or thinking. Walking can be stressful especially if they can run straight back home again!But first stop is look at their history of dealing with children who may have some differences

Where I said 'outstanding at all levels' I meant not only the Ofsted report, but my feeling that children are happy and calm (relaxed and engaging) in all classrooms, lovely rooms and beautiful inspiring playgrounds. I didn't need to read about Ofsted to know that it's outstanding. In comparison the most local school does have experience of adopted children, however I found it sad inside, children didn't seem to thrive, the playground is small and boring etc.It's on these feelings that I've mostly based my choice (so far) – not so much on official results or policies. I guess I'm not aware of all their policies though, but surely how a school 'feels' is the best indicator?The 20min journey includes waiting for the bus – otherwise 10min is feasible if bus is on time. But I get your points about stressful mornings and journeys...

How far is the bus journey?Our two cycle to school, just over a mile, and I expect the bus journey would take about as long as yours.We started them off on the back of a tandem, then on their own bike with supervision, and gradually on their own, after practising all junctions. They take a slight longer route which avoids most difficulties.Seeing friends and after school activities took more coordination initially, but it is becoming easier.

I would go and meet with the head and senco of each school if you can. Or at least start with a telephone conversation before arranging to go and meet. Also bear in mind that you're not necessarily going to be offered a place in whichever school you'd ideally like if they're over subscribed. How a school feels can be a good indicator - this may sound silly but my kids' old mainstream had a reception area like a dr's. Two miserable women behind a screen who did their damndest to ignore you and to make you feel unwelcome. That set the tone for the rest of the school.Conversely the school I moved my daughter to has two lovely women in the office, their door is always open, they're happy, friendly and chatty .... and, again, that sets the tone for the rest of the school.Ring them. Ask what their experiences are in teaching LACs and adopted children. Ask what their behavioural management techniques are like? Do they do the dreaded red light system for behaviour or are they more imaginative?My kids old school was a brand new PFI school - all the very best of everything. But from the head down they only wanted children who were going to achieve - something, anything - they made it very clear that they didn't want children who may struggle and made their lives (and mine) very difficult.So go and meet and talk to the staff would be my advice.

" Also bear in mind that you're not necessarily going to be offered a place in whichever school you'd ideally like if they're over subscribed. "This is not strictly true. A child placed with you will be LAC. The Placing Authority can specify the school they want. The receiving authority then have to appeal against this. It would take something pretty extreme to be able to successfully appeal. In essence so long as your placing authority agree the school must take the child.In your situation decide on pastoral care all the way. A high achieving Ofsted school is not necessarily a good thing since the pressure to conform and behave may be too much. Definitely meet with the head and discuss the schools discipline system/policies and what experience they have of attachment difficulties in the classroom.

What are the intakes like at each school? Make sure that the 'great' school doesn't just take a very well to do intake. My children went to schools like this. They were wonderful, lovely schools, but they had no experience of children from a trauma background. The less nice schools might be not so nice because they take a wider range of children.I have driven children to and from schools. It's not ideal as you don't build up relationships with other parents as you walk to and fro. It can also cause issues for secondary transfer if you are out of catchment for the school the rest are going to.I would avoid it personally if possible.

Going to visit the 'good' (not 'outstanding') school tomorrow with a SENCo friend! Taking notes of your comments – ask about pastoral care, behavioural management techniques, special needs policies, experience of teaching LACs and adopted kids...Cycling to school would be great, but it's so hilly around here! Far too hilly. Was told that secondary transfer would be to a better school if child is coming from the outstanding junior school. Again the issue of LACs experience.In the 'outstanding' school the kids seemed interested in the teaching and happily engaging. What I didn't like in all the other schools I visited was that the kids were either distracted, or chatting to each other, or fairly quiet but not happy-quiet. Would you say this isn't necessarily indicative of a 'bad' teaching?

Hard to tell really without seeing what they were doing at the time. I suppose my view is coloured by my experience of my kids old mainstream. They had the best of everything - apart from the teaching staff!! No real tolerance for children who were slightly out of kilter. They judt wanted your normal, regular child who was going to achieve. I guess children chatting could mean a lack of interest or could it be that debate and individual thinking was encouraged?

Hiya,Personally in my experiences avoid if you can outstanding school my 2 hated it one was excluded they wouldn't and, did not want any child having any major difficulties. We have now left the outstanding school, and i know now that 2 more parents are having difficulties with the school same route they did with my son. One of my sons is no at boarding school which he is doing ok, but he is way behind in his learning he has reading age of a 71/2 he is 13y the outstanding school told me he was fine! And was meeting his targets. He also is been assessed for dyslexia,something I told the Outstanding school my concerns still told me he was fine. My youngest goes to a not very good school, he has a statement but, his behaviour to be fair doesn't stand out as such he isn't doing to bad there at the moment.

Aquarelle,As well as talking to the head teacher and senco, make sure you speak to your local virtual school. They should be able to indicate which of the schools has been cooperative in the past, giving you a strong clue!I would ask about the staffing ratios in each school, and also enquire how frequently classes are shared. Sometimes just two staff cover the whole week (teacher plus HLTA to cover the teacher for non-contact). Sometimes, there will be 4 or even more staff involved in teaching the class. This can be a real problem for our los, with lots of differences in style and expectations making them insecure. I'd need to know there was at least one other class in the same yeargroup, in case of any breakdown in relationship with the class teacher. This would allow an internal move rather than moving school if things go wobbly.Good luck, and remember you are doing your best! There are no "right" or "wrong" solutions.Phoebe x

Wanted to add, the most outstanding school near me spends its money on things like having an orchestra - it is one form entry and so it is tiny and has hardly any resources. I understand that they gently suggest to parents of struggling children that they look elsewhere..... If you popped in to see the children in that school, though, the lessons would look amazing. But it's a church school and it carefully selects who it takes in (and for some reason, that doesn't include the kids from the block of flats right next door......).In my experience, the bigger the school, the more resources it has. Depending on the intake, they will spend their money in different ways - so some schools will spend theirs on orchestras and music rooms while others have more resources for struggling children. My children went to one of the schools with an orchestra and music room - they actually had to go to another school for support for my daughter as they didn't have it in house!

I would go with your gut instinct and let practical arrangements fall into place later. I was in almost the same position and have gone for the school further away, which is ofsted outstanding with a brilliant reputation locally. I wasn't sure until I visisted but fell in love with it when I walked in. They dont have much experience with adopted.children but are very open about this and willing to let me guide them.Can I also suggest thinking about the kind of school your LO is at now... Moving from a big urban primary to a tiny village school or vice versa can be a massive culture shock!!

My ad goes to a school which s a good ten minute drive away. I take her in the car. Everyone at the school drives there because of where it s. a ten - fifteen min drive is fine IMO. Ideally I wouldn't want to do more but would do so for a particularly good school.My ad s school is wonderful. As soon as I met the head I knew t was the place for her. I was very honest about my ads issues and the head was truly inclusive and has embraced my ad and given her as much support as possible. They are currently self funding a TA for her and another child most mornings. The school itself is quite run down and doesn't have great facilities. But the staff are brilliant and the children are very happy there.So my recommendation would be to have an honest discussion with the head and try and gauge how inclusive they truly are.Good luck x

I agree, meet the head, and see what she is like. My boys primary had what seemed like a frosty faced woman in the front office, (actually very efficient which is needed in a school!)but the head teacher is very warm and friendly and is "on the ball" in handling situations. She has been tremendously supportive of us, believing us about things coming out at home that got bottled up all day at school and willing to take the time to discuss how she could help. Neither of our kids had major issues but both needed referrals for things and it was her who spotted the needs and did the referrals, saving us any need to plead to ss for funding. No school will be perfect but a good head, and depute will go a long way to reassuring you that you will get the support your child might need.

Well I've finally decided against the 'outstanding school' because of the bus/car journey. Not just for us going there every day, but the child's friends would be up there too and I don't want to make friendships complicated. Then there are uncertainties about how they can respond to an adopted child's needs – I didn't research very far into it, but also wasn't exactly encouraged to do so when I visited and asked a few questions (I guess the school is so much in demand that they don't make efforts to recruit pupils).The 'good school' I visited today is a 10-15min walking distance for us (still too steep to cycle to though!). Has extensive experience of LACs, lots of extra curricular activities (including those the child likes), welcomes parents involvement... so, although it's lacking some of the wonderful features of the 'outstanding school', all the basic features seem present. Still not sure absolutely sure I'm right, so following gut instinct... Though can't go much wrong between 'good' and 'outstanding'. Thanks for helping me thinking it through!