How best to approach? I want to move DS from current state primary

[SnowieBear]

I don't know exactly how I am going to phrase this without coming across as pompous middle class and quite PFB and attracting a good flaming, but I honestly need help and MN has never yet let me down so... apologies in advance!

DS is 5.2 and in reception at our inner city primary, which is quite rough and not very aspirational at all. He is a very sociable child that has adjusted well to the school and has lots of friends, however, this has not saved him from being attacked, quite seriously on one ocassion, and "incidents" seem to happen too often for our liking. The school has taken our concerns seriously and we have an OK communication with them.

However, after the first serious incident, DH and I made up our minds that we do not want DS to continue in the school in the long term and we have looked to the private sector. We've found an independent school we like that we should be able to afford if we go on a diet of baked beans on toast until DS finishes primary, but they have no current places and we are fifth on a waiting list for his year group.

We cannot wait so long - we feel we have let DS down by choosing to live in town and we really do not want him to grow into the disaffected kids we see emerging from his primary: low attainment and low expectations. Don't get me wrong, there ARE good inner city primaries out there, unfortunately ours is just happy to plod along.

We have identified a different public sector school in the area where we would be happy to move DS to, as we know from friends, etc the ethos and standards of the school and we think he would be happy and thrive there. So, my question, as I really do not want to mess this up... I know I need to approach our LEA regarding a potential transfer, but our interest is singly in that particular school, none of the others. How do I phrase this and how do I explain our reasons for wanting to move? We want a single school change - if our preferred option is not available, we will wait for the private school and keep our fingers crossed.

Gosh - I've written bible & verse! Thanks for reading this far, and apologies for the "opus magnus"!

[fivegomadindorset]

We did this, phone up the LEA and talk to them, they will send out the approriate forms for you, was very easy to do. You only put down one school. We knew that there was space for DD in the new primary so that wasn't the issue.

[SnowieBear]

When I wrote "we have identified a different public sector school" I mean by it state school.

I'm even confusing myself now...

[fivegomadindorset]

Is the new school in the same LEA? Get the forms from the LEA you want to move into.

[SnowieBear]

Thanks, Five, does it work the same across all LEAs? I've been reading their website and apparently if you ask for a transfer, even if you put down a single option, if that option has no places, they'll still transfer your DS to any other school, which I really want to avoid.

[SnowieBear]

Yes, it's in the same LEA.

[verybored]

Do you know if the school have places? If you haven't found out yet, ring the school or the LEA. Have a look round the school, then fill in the forms if you want to move him. Ring the LEA and state you only want to move to this school, not others in the borough. Also state this somewhere on the application form or in a separate letter.

I doubt the LEA would want to give themselves the hassle of finding places for a child that doesn't want to move to just any school. PLus, if they did offer him another place, you can turn it down. They cannot remove your child from the school roll just because you have applied for another place.

We are looking at an alternative school tomorrow for our DTs in year 1. We have also had physical attacks and bad behaviour so I know a bit of where you are coming from!

Good luck.

[asdx2]

In our LEA you approach the school you want, if there is a space the school will give you an in year transfer form, you fill that in (sometimes it goes to governors but not always IME) school forward that to LEA and your child could start as early as the following week. Schools arrange transfer of necessary files and you inform current school when child will be moving. Around here it really is that simple.