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Secondary education

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Moving school in Year 10

132 replies

winterrabbit · 21/10/2024 10:15

DS was at a private school from year 7 and moved in year 10 (just this September past) to another private school that had a small entry point in year 10. The results at this new school are a lot better (65% grades 7-9 as opposed to 43% at his old school) and facilities much much better. We decided to apply very late in year 10 as not overly happy with the old school as there was some disruption in classes, results not great for a private school and virtually no facilities, however, DS was happy there. DS got offered a place, did a taster day and we decided to move him although we were both a little unsure at the time but the school only gave us a week to decide so we took a chance. DS started at the beginning of September but he really doesn't like it and wants to go back to his old school. The school day at his new school is really long and he says the lessons are very strict and boring, plus, although he has made some friends, he says they are not his type of people (all very posh and nerdy (his words), plus the school day is very long and the journey there is a lot longer and more difficult so he's exhausted. Even though the facilities are great, you are forced to do the school sports and he isn't into rugby at all and has a lot of existing sports commitments outside of school. I told DS to give it until half term to settle but he is still saying he wants to go back to his old school. Old school still has a place for him and says they would love to have him back. I feel in my heart, although new school is better on paper and the organisation and communication is excellent, I can't bear for him to be unhappy and should let him return to his old school. However, new school has said we will need to pay for next term as well as 1 term's notice is required. We already paid for this term and old and new school which has nearly bankrupt me and I really don't want to go it again although would think about it if it meant DS being happy. WWYD??

OP posts:
winterrabbit · 21/10/2024 11:06

MagdaLenor · 21/10/2024 10:59

Return him to poor facilities, disruption in lessons and poor outcomes?

Apparently the disruption in lessons has been addressed this year. Facilities are a loss but they don't get to use a lot of them anyway and DS has all his sports commitments outside of school anyway so doesn't really need the on-site facilities. Agree with the comment on the results. They are not poor as such but poor for a private school although it is a non-selective school.

OP posts:
okydokethen · 21/10/2024 11:01

Move him back - it's an important year not just for exam results. Happy learners are better learners too.

MagdaLenor · 21/10/2024 10:59

Return him to poor facilities, disruption in lessons and poor outcomes?

Peripeteia · 21/10/2024 10:56

I’d let him move back. I appreciate the financial strain but what looks right on paper isn’t always right in actuality and happiness at school is so important. He’s so close to his GCSEs - you don’t want him disengaging now.

MagdaLenor · 21/10/2024 10:51

The problem is that you left it open ended, so he thinks he has a get out clause. Yr10 is too significant . They're half a term into the GCSE work and that's important.Talk to him about managing workload and making friends, maybe contact the pastoral team at the school about your concerns.

winterrabbit · 21/10/2024 10:47

MagdaLenor · 21/10/2024 10:22

The lessons are strict and boring? Maybe that's why they get good results.
You're the parent. You moved him for good reasons, don't move him back because he wants an easier life.

Thank you. Very good point. I am wary of exactly that!

OP posts:
MagdaLenor · 21/10/2024 10:22

The lessons are strict and boring? Maybe that's why they get good results.
You're the parent. You moved him for good reasons, don't move him back because he wants an easier life.