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Original poster

Moving back to uk after 3 years in Melbourne - HELP!!

27 replies

melbournesunshine1 · 20/07/2016 11:58

Hello. I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation - my Aussie husband has been offered a great job back in London after over 3 years in Melbourne. I have just-turned 12 year old DS/DD twins - they are Year 6 in Oz but would be in Year 8 in UK September according to age. They are now thriving in their private school here (nearly 50% of kids go to fee paying schools) and the reservations I had about the quality of education here are diminishing slightly. And they love all the sport and co-curricular which form a really important part of school life here. And here are plenty of professional, happy Aussies around. However, I still feel that the UK offers a greater depth of education and while both kids are 'academic' (aren't they all!) my son is particularly driven . But I am feeling really torn about dragging them out of a school where they have been comfortable for 2.5 years after a torrid time in a government school. Australia is lovely but my heart is in the UK despite not having a real affinity with a particular location. I miss my parents and relatives dreadfully. We have moved around the UK spending time in SW London and Warwickshire and I am really struggling with how to find schools, especially now the holidays have started. it's all happening very quickly and we were put in touch with an education relocation 'expert', but she said it would be impossible to find a state school without an address and actually being in the country (I knew that) and when I researched a few of the fee paying schools that she mentioned there was little praise for them on here or other forums! I don't have a huge pool of friends to ask for advice - most of their DC are at grammar schools that we won't be eligible for. And I'm wary of broadcasting that we have the opportunity to come back because my parents would be devastated if they knew we turned it down. Has anyone successfully moved in a similar situation? Or any pitfalls to be wary off? Or any excellent education consultants? I now have less than a week to make the decision and I am feeling permanently sick about it. I know I'm so fortunate to have these choices but I feel very overwhelmed. Our life is easy here - we live by the beach, husband's work is close by, great food and sunshine, and I know that UK would mean lots more homework and likely to involve much commuting. Any thoughts gratefully received.

OP posts:
bojorojo · 20/07/2016 16:16

Some independent schools will have places. You could do your own research regarding where may be available. They may even have someone in the office answering the phones or emails. If you name the school's you may get a more even handed response on here. There are brilliant schools in Warwick for example. London will be more competitive.

An Australian Mum I knew years ago, when our DDs were at prep school, delighted in telling the rest of us how far ahead Australian children were! This was at a school where scholarships to Wycombe Abbey and CLC were expected and regularly achieved and there were lots of high achieving children. So, don't worry. There will be a suitable school with vacancies but where are you thinking of living?

catslife · 20/07/2016 15:13

Do you all have to move at the same time?
If it's possible I would suggest is that rather than uprooting the dcs now, your OH comes over to the UK to try the job out and see if he can cope with commuting etc while they finish the school year in Australia.
At the beginning of September when schools are back you can start looking at schools again. It would be possible for the dcs to start a new school in January and many schools would be used to pupils from southern hemisphere countries doing this.
The trouble about on-line school reviews is that it tends to be parents that are unhappy or whose children have had a bad experience that post whereas the silent majority who are happy don't post anything if you see what I mean so don't get too worried about this.
Hope this helps you reach a decision.