Year 7/8 move?

[Billsbill]

Hi does anyone have any experience of moving schools in the later end of year 7 or 8. Ds has been at a school that we chose that wasn't his catchment as that had just gone into special measures. This is an outstanding school bit his experience has been terrible. He still hasn't really settled hasn't made any friends to speak of, he started not knowing anyone and is struggling with learning as the bad behaviour of other students take up the majority of the teaching time. School have been able to help solve any issue although they have tried to be helpful I also have a DD in yr 5 that I will need to take into consideration but at what point do you cut your losses and look into making a move. I am worried that a move would be very unsettling and if behaviour would be any better. I am thinking of contacting another more local school but again wouldn't know anyone there.

[OhTheRoses]

Just do it. We made a mistake with secondary. DD moved end of yr 8. Should have moved her after the first term but just kept hoping. Do not let a child be unhappy if it can be changed.

[bundleeveryfight]

I moved schools end of year 8 (a good 15 years ago mind!) and it was the best thing I ever did. Didn't affect my learning at all and much preferred the new school. Can't think of anything that was problematic apart from having to take swimming lessons in the new school and being 2 years behind didn't quite catch up with the swimming but no lasting impact on my life!

[Billsbill]

Thank you so much for replying. My gut is saying move. I just fear that the majority of schools have the same issue with distruptive classes. I think it's time to admit defeat and that our decision was wrong. Ofsted don't always get it right

[Alsoplayspiccolo]

We moved our DD at the end of year 7. She had a miserable year at a supposedly outstanding comp.
She knew 1 person at her new school, but it was the best decision we could have made; she's now at the end of year 10, happy, thriving academically, and has a lovely group of friends.

[OhTheRoses]

Interesting pattern arising re outstanding and sought after schools and their inability to listen. What astounded us was the disconnect between expectations of behaviour at open days and the reality upon arrival.

DD is 9 years on from the debacle and I belueve a new head sorted it quickly. It took 7 years to deal with the poor one which is scandalous x

[Billsbill]

I must say I am in shock at the behavioural issues, fighting, pupils being attacked, disrespect to the teachers, and it goes on. I am in the process of applying and need to say why I want him to go to the other school not sure what to put other than I want him out as soon as possible

[Lumene]

I moved at that sort of stage and hated it. But I was happy in the school I was at. If I hadn’t been I think a move would have been a great opportunity.

[PenguinsRabbits]

DD moved beginning year 8 and we had issues - put in the wrong sets for subjects, just put where there's a space so in bottom set French when DH is French and she was top of her year last year. They forgot she and her brother were joining so got added on at last minute and given half a desk in some subjects and a computer that doesn't work in computing. They refused to use her previous grades or SATS and initially put all her initial predicted grades in as 4s as its average and rest of year has been correcting but it averages out including the initial 4s. Outstanding rated school but know how to tick the boxes.

Did make friends easily and after a year academic issues are starting to resolve but in some subjects we have lost a year. We did move from a grammar to a comp so there might be more of a change than comp to comp. I wouldn't move without very good reason and very clear benefits but you may find there are.

[Billsbill]

I know it will come with its own set of issues but he is telling me how unhappy he is and feel that I owe it to him to a least try. More issues today honestly it's a daily battle with not a lot of support from the school

[ittakes2]

I think now is the time to move - you want them settled before GCSES.

[Geraniumpink]

I should move now. You don’t sound as though you have a lot to loose.

[Billsbill]

Thank you for everyone's advice and thoughts. It has helped alot