Best term to move

[SammyDv]

Hi,

Our daughter is currently in year 3, due to circumstances she has to move schools (she is quite happy at current school but really keen to move to this one), but we are wondering in which term to do it.

Is it better to wait until the end of the school year and move her in the September, clean start and all that.

Or is it better to move her at the start of the summer term so she will get the chance to settle with new classmates, and have play days over the summer, and won't be so much of the new girl.

Husband prefers summer I prefer winter, so thought I would just garner opinions.

[doubleexpresso]

I think it's probably best to wait until new school year. However, if your DD is aware that she is moving at some point and is looking forward to the move, then I would move her as soon as possible. HTH.

[sevenseas]

Hi there, we recently moved to the UK from overseas and DD1 started year 3 in September. I found that, as all the children were new to the teacher, she wasn't able to select someone kind/supportive to take her under their wing (something that I'd seen done at a previous school when a child joined mid-year). Next time we move, I will probably aim to move mid-year.

[trickerg]

New school year - definitely. (I work in a school with 60% mobility). January is quite a difficult time to start, unless the child is starting with several other children, when it's not as bad.

I would strongly advise against putting children in a new school for a few weeks before the end of the summer term (for settling in). This is the most unsettling time of the school year (frazzled teachers and tired children; lots of disruption) and often, classes are going to change round anyway.

[SammyDv]

Apologies for not explaining better.

She is currently at a local prep school which although very good is very small. We were planning on her taking the 12 plus and going to the local grammar (school fees and all that), but went to see it and were REALLY not impressed. The school we want to move her too is private and takes them until 18 which will be a struggle but something we are prepared to do.

She has managed to gain a place at this new school. We therefore have to give a terms notice at the current school (hence the possible move in summer term), and she is VERY keen. I think part of it is because she is, how can I put this, more inclined to the sporting and arts side of schooling!, and the new school has massive grounds, and great facilities for sport, art etc. plus there is no pressure on her for 12+ etc. (and it's cheaper!!)

[JoeyBettany]

We moved ds (y3) at the start of the summer term last year and it worked out very well for him.

He settled in really quickly, helped by the fact that they were doing a lot of fun things like swimming etc and he really appreciated not having to worry over the long summer holidays as he knew what to expect in the autumn.