Should i move dd1? she is just finishing yr9,what would you do?

[Totallyfloaty35]

DD1 is at an ok mixed school,lots of teachers been off through illness one for a whole yr.She couldnt do German GCSE as no teacher.She doesnt have any really close friends there.
I have been trying to get her in an all girls school(very good results) great art and drama dept and dd2 is starting there in Sept ,for last 2yrs.
Yesterday dd1 came home and said "my school is so rubbish,wish i went to girls school" so i rang up again and nearly fainted when they said they had a space.
Now im in 2 minds,its going into her GCSE yrs,she doesnt know many people at the school,or what the staff are like,what if she hates it? she cant go back as its GCSE yr and they dont let you move during those.She has moved a lot in the past.She was bullied at middle school,so transfered to private school for a yr,then back to state school for a yr(private school was awful,7 pupils left at the end of the year as it was so bad).Then 3yrs at this school.What to do? Any advice please

[liliputlady]

Presumably if you're sending your other dd there you have done some research and are happy with the school? I would sit your d down and ask her if she's serious about moving schools and explain there's no going back.
If she's actually suggesting she moves schools, sounds like that's half the battle . It will be convenient for you with her sister there.
Good luck with your decision.

[bigchris]

i'd go for it especially as dd2 will be going there

BUT make it clear to her that she cant go back, this is it now

[crokky]

I'd move her, but just say to her that she has to do year 10 and year 11 at the school and can't move again until 6th form.

[poopscoop]

as long as she is ok with the move, then do it. Not much keeping her at the old one really so it should benefit her.

[Cathpot]

I agree with the above, I moved at 13 and I actually quite enjoyed it as an oportunity to sort of reinvent myself. I think if she is happy, go for it.

[Merrylegs]

You say "what if she hates it?"

W-ell - it sounds as if she's not that keen on her current school, so has she got anything to lose?

I went to an all girls school and a 'newbie' who joined in the 5th year became my very best friend. In fact she was very popular - we loved new girls. Fresh faces!

Also, everyone will be in the same boat WRT starting their GCSE syllabuses, so it sounds like a good time as any to move her.

[Merrylegs]

(*that is 5th form in olden days - year 10 now!)

[Totallyfloaty35]

Thanks for advice/help .Yes its a very good school and she has had few issues at her current school(girl pouring water over her,trying to cut her hair) Im happy for her to move ,im just a worrier,i so want her to be happy,to have some real friends and be settled.I guess thats what we all want for our children

[BodenGroupie]

DD2 left her all girls school at the end of year 9 having been off for a whole term through illness.

She lasted 3 days at the new school. Came home and said she was never going back! Fortunately the old school were able to take her back but with a few changes of teaching groups. She's much happier now having seen that the grass wasn't necessarily greener.

Slightly different situation in that one was a grammar, the other a comp.

Not necessarily a good time to move - a lot of schools round here have started to do GCSEs over three years so she was very limited in her choices. Having made the decision so late we didn't feel we had much bargaining power.

[Madsometimes]

I think you should send her there. If she thinks that the new school is better than her old school, then she may be very resentful that dd2 is there and she is not.

I would sit her down though and explain to her very carefully about the pros and cons of the move. The main cons are social considerations. It can be really tough to change schools and be the new girl, particularly if your confidence has been knocked at your previous school. However, at the age she is, she is old enough to maintain contact with her old school friends. They all have phones!

[Totallyfloaty35]

Well the school will call and let me know what subjects are available for her to choose,cant see her wanting to go there an study ICT or Child development for 2yrs,so this will be the big decider i think.Have explained that if they dont have her subject choices available she will have to reconsider as i dont think she will be happy not doing her Arts stuff.
I so wish a place had come up sooner,this joining at the start of yr 10 means she doesnt know if she has missed coursework assigned for hols or if they already have done gcse coursework in yr9.Im waiting for a phonecall as all the schools finish for summer in an hours time

[ScarletBear]

I wouldn't worry at all - the school will know that she's knew, and probably assign her coursework to do when she gets back, and give her a hand with it!
Hope it goes well for you - let us know!