RANKING the supposed popularity of schools is a tricky business.

While it is possible to show the most and least oversubscribed schools, that does not equate to the best or worst.

What is a good school for one child is not necessarily a good school for another.

A conscientious child with the right support at home is likely to thrive wherever he or she goes to school.

An easily led youngster prone to misbehaving may do better at a school with strict codes of discipline.

And a bright but distractible child is likely to do best where he or she is stretched academically and given more individual attention.

The important factor in finding the right school is parental choice, and it is often only a mum or dad who can make the right choice for their child.

Inevitably our schools also reflect the make up of the communities they serve.

Their role is not just as an educational facility but also as community hub where friendships are made, ideas sown and values are shared.

In all the talk about over- and undersubscribed schools these more subtle factors should not be overlooked.