Would you move your child?

[winchestersandwich]

My son is year 2.
He's bright but easily distracted and often a bit lazy when he's struggling- gives up very quickly,

The school he is currently at failed Ofsted when he was in reception and since then they have yet to pull it back. We kept him there as he was settled and KS1 scored well.

KS2 has not fared well. Lots of staff sickness, inconsistencies, poor results. I'm privy to 'insider' knowledge re how bad things actually are behind the scenes.

I'm worried about DS going into that.

I've made enquiries around local schools and two have places for DS for as soon as lockdown is up. Both are outstanding.

I think he's fare better at either one.

My only concern is his friendships- he's an only child and those friendships are very important to him.

If you were me would you move to the better school or stay put for friendships? It'll break his heart- but he's 7.

[OhCrumbsWhereNow]

Definitely move him.

[lockedown]

I would move him. Maybe he will make better friends there? A good school/education is important. As long as it's a better environment, he will settle in.

[cockneygirl]

I moved my only child, DS to a new school when he was in year 5. Being older he was a bit more worried but I assured him that he would keep in touch with all his old friends. And he has because I make the effort to organise sleepovers, play dates, birthday parties and the other mums do too.

Now he is in yr 8 - he was asked recently why he moved schools (bullying being a possible reason) and he replied he couldn’t honestly remember.
I worried about it then and has a few sleepless nights but we have never looked back since. He has flourished, made lots of new friends and if anything is more independent and secure because he has moved schools successfully.
Also how you present it to to him is important. If you are positive and happy he will follow your lead. And see it was a good thing. Our ds, knew we would be making the right decision for him.

We moved him because he was being over looked a good boy and so easy to lose in the crowd. He was bright but lazy and considered averagely bright. The new school has developed him and given him a real sense of self-confidence and academically now top of his class.

I was getting more and more disillusioned with the old school and frustrated. And my DS could see that. In the long term it’s more damaging if the school is not working well.

He is so young he will soon forget once he starts at the new school and settles in. And the new school will challenge him in a good way

[winchestersandwich]

@cockneygirl the overlooking is mainly what I'm worried about I think. It happened to me as a child and my confidence has never recovered.

This weekend will be lots of discussion for myself and DH. I'm leaning towards definitely moving him.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Friendships evolve. Having serious concerns about a school doesn't change.

My DC are on their third school due to house moves. They've made good friends in all of them.

[JimmyGrimble]

What do you mean by ‘failed OFSTED’? And how do you have insider knowledge? Do you think he will no longer be lazy at his new school then?

[BubblesBuddy]

Failed Ofstex usually means inadequate. Or at best RI. The inspectors or HMI come back to check progress. It would appear there hasn’t been adequate progress for the school to be rated other than inadequate or still needing to improve after 2 years.

Insider knowledge: a friend in the staff room? There are always vibes when staff are not happy. Some won’t disguise their feelings. It’s not unusual. If this has been going on for 2 years, frustrations are growing.

If he’s y2, he’s not completed KS1 until this summer. However if you believe KS2 teaching and outcomes are poor, and this is backed up by HMI visits, I would try and move. However choose wisely. You don’t want another disaster school.

[Porcupineinwaiting]

Move him if you are concerned about the quality of the teaching or behaviour. Being easily distracted and giving up easily wont magically disappear if you change school bit may with age, and consistency of teaching will at least allow you/the teacher to tackle that.

[sestras]

I moved my son. Best thing I ever did. He had SN so struggled socially in every setting but he loves his school.