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to moveor not to move...

10 replies

Lulu1981 · 28/01/2010 21:44

my husband and i have decided that in a school of 19 our daughters would be better off in a bigger school as they need to have friends their own age. I started a thread detailing the problems and you ladies gave me some great advice.

We looked at a very good school today and have an appointment to view another tomorrow. but why am i finding it so hard to decide what to do. one minute i am all for them moving now i am not so sure.... but know in my heart of hearts that it'll be for the best in the long run. can you please share your experiences of your children moving schools.. they are reception and year 1 ages...

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DrMoo · 28/01/2010 22:29

Still young enough to consider the new school, whichever it may be, to be 'their' school.
Visit the school a few times, talk to the parents try and imagine how it feels.
Good Luck!

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MumNWLondon · 28/01/2010 23:00

my DD was in nursery at one school where all the kids were going together to reception. it was a very good school, but at the last minute (end July!) she got place at our preferred school and we moved DD. She was very happy in her nursery and i felt bad about moving her (both state one form entry primary schools with 30 kids per class, both highly achieving schools) and she cried for first week of reception (and all the reception kids had come togther from that schools nursery) but honestly after the autumn halfterm she'd forgotten the old school! now halfway through year one... still comments when we drive past the old school but at that age year 1/reception they'll settle in so quickly...

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Feelingsensitive · 29/01/2010 13:13

If they were going to be better off long term I would move them. In fact, I plan on doing this with DD if we get our chosen school (waiting to hear). I know it will make the first few weeks hard but she will soon be OK.

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PanicMode · 29/01/2010 13:20

I haven't looked at your other thread so I don't know how old your children are, but we moved DS1 after Reception as we got a place at our preferred school, and it took about 8 weeks for him to settle but he hasn't looked back.

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SE13Mummy · 29/01/2010 13:59

I have just moved my daughter from Reception at one school (where she was perfectly happy but stuck out like a sore thumb) to another.

She was at nursery at school A (where I teach), didn't get a place for Reception and was eventually allocated a place at school B. She attended school B for a term, a vacancy became available at school A so we moved her simply because in the long-term we believe it will be better for her as an individual and us as a family.

It's taken a week or so for her to settle in and feel like it's her school again (and to trust that her place won't be taken from her!) but I'm pleased we moved her

The younger they are the easier I think it is to move them. As a Y5/6 teacher I've never started and finished a school year with exactly the same children in my class and although schools with high-mobility seem to be very welcoming, I do sometimes think it's a same that the children never know how long their best friend will be around for.

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debs227 · 29/01/2010 14:24

I know exactly how you are feeling.

If you know in your heart of hearts that it is best for your children, then you must see it through.

My DD (reception) came home last week and decided she wanted to move school as she wasn't happy. Although she seems happier this week i still feel now that she has bought up the idea of moving, it might be the best thing for her.

I get this lump in my throat when i think about moving her, i just wish i had done more research before she started in Sept.

Good luck with whatever you decide. At least your children can move to the new school together, so they will be able find each other if they need to!!

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debs227 · 29/01/2010 14:25

Let us know how you get on with the school today.

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asdx2 · 29/01/2010 16:52

Dd moved from a small school in y1 to an average sized primary and it is the best thing I could have done.
She missed her friends for about a month but after that she never mentioned her old school.
She has so many more opportunities for friendships and activities both in and out of school and we both love her new school and she is very happy there.

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ruhavingalarf · 29/01/2010 17:14

I moved school 9 times as a child. I hated it every time. As a consequence, I am determined to keep my DCs schooling as stable as possible. I would say if you think its best, then do it. But make sure its right as in my experience its not good to do it too often unless you have to.

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Lulu1981 · 29/01/2010 22:30

thanks for the replies, my husband and i have pretty much agreed on the 1st school, although still discussing it as both have their pro's and con's.

I am still so unsure my husband wants to move them right away as he thinks it will cause less anxiety for the girls. He is thinking after half term.

I know it is for the best, it will really bring them on socially and i can already see my oldest going inwards and only associating herself with 1 little girl at her current school, an older girl who is quite dominant towards her. but they will be heart broken and in turn so will i be for them. i know they will be fine after a few weeks. but i can not bare the thought of making them unhappy or making the wronge choices :-( i am so confused

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