Mid Year Admission

[Trying2Change]

Hello,
I was just wondering if anyone would be able to help me, we have successfully been offered a place for DS1 at a new primary school with a different council to the one he attends now.

We are hoping for a start date of the 9th June, would he still have to attend his old school until this start date or would we be able to keep him at home until he starts?

We would prefer to keep him home as we have had a lot of difficulties with his current school (even though he is only in reception), it has just been one problem after another and DS1 hates going to the point of being terrified every morning, screaming, crying, running away even across busy roads with free flowing traffic!

This is breaking my heart every morning I have to leave him in a place he hates, with people I don't trust, Do you think I would be able to keep him home until his start date on Wednesday?

Thank you in advance to anyone who can offer me some advice, it is greatly appreciated.

[Trying2Change]

Anyone?

[BarbarianMum]

Given the date, I would just keep him home. Technically you are not "allowed" to do this, in reality it will be fine. Ring his old school and say he has a tummy bug, if you want to be sure of them not chasing you up.

Hope things go well at the new school.

[Saracen]

To be on the safe side, you could deregister with immediate effect to home educate your son. Just ensure the LA and new school are informed this is only a temporary measure while awaiting a place at the new school, so no one thinks you don't want the place.

You just have to send a properly worded letter to the current school. There is no notice period and you don't have to follow any particular educational method while your son is out of school.

See the Education Otherwise website for example letters.

[Trying2Change]

Thank you both for the advice, I will look at those example letters Saracen thank you I didn't know I would be able to do that.

I just want him out of there as soon as possible, he went to the new school yesterday for the afternoon to meet his new teacher and the other children he will be going with, when I went to pick him up the change in him was unbelievable he was so happy. I'm so fed up of my little boy being this depressed its not fair on a 4year old to have to feel like that, hopefully this new school will be a lot better for him

[FishWithABicycle]

You absolutely can keep him home - it's only a couple of days anyway but just tell the old school to no longer consider him their pupil, effective immediately, as you are educating him otherwise, at home, until he starts his new school. He never has to go to the old school again.

[Saracen]

BarbarianMum's suggestion is good too, but there is no reason to lie. "Medically unfit to attend due to stress/anxiety" is accurate.

[Trying2Change]

Thank you all for your suggestions I think we will tell them he isn't coming back and educate him at home for the interim.

He will be very happy that he doesn't have to go back there I didn't realise home educating would be an option for such a short time frame so am very relieved to hear that it is!

[Mopmay]

I agree keep him home - his welfare is more important