To change schools???

[TartanTed]

I have two daughters aged 7 & 9 who are very happy at their primary school and who both have a lovely group of friends.

The trouble is the secondary school we are in catchment for isn't great... both in terms of academic results and I've heard reports that there is a lot of behavioural issues/ class disruption etc.

We are considering moving house into a better secondary catchment. But my daughters would be distraught at leaving their primary school.

Looking for experiences and insights.... would you move and move primary schools? Move but stay at current primary and let them go to better secondary not having many friends? or just stay put and hope that they do well at poor secondary school as they will be with their lovely primary friends?

Really appreciate your thoughts as I've been driving myself mad with this dilemma! Thanks

You can't guaruntee they will be with their primary friends. I'd say only about 1 in 3 if not less of dd's year moved up to secondary with her. Lots of reasons - some were allocated different schools, some got into grammars, some moved, some went private . Secondary school is a huge change and throws a mix of pupils together so unless their current school basically sends 90% of year group to same senior school, I'd not take that too much into consideration

I guess the stakes are higher for secondary, GCSEs, A levels. We moved (not for schools as was near a good secondary) but have kept the dcs at their primary which is 4 miles away now so DD will start y7 not really knowing anyone. The secondary she is starting are hoping to be judged outstanding from their current inspection so we hope it will be worth it for DD. It's a tough decision when they're happy. In hindsight I wish I'd moved them two years ago as it may have made things easier now but hey ho.

Thanks for your reply.

In Scotland so apart from one or two that may go private the vast majority will go up to the catchment secondary.

I wouldn't get a place out of catchment for the preferred school as it's oversubscribed.

Yes - I think if we're going to make a move we'd be better to do it sooner rather than later so they have a chance to make a new set of friends before secondary. But they would hate me for many months

My kids loved their primary and we moved. I thought they'd hate me forever but it was fine.l they soon settled and are now happier than I thought possible.

I think I would move, keep them at the beloved primary and then be in the catchment for the better secondary.

There will be some changes moving from one to the other naturally.

Thanks - looks like whether we keep them at primary or move them the better secondary is the way to go.

Secondaries can change a lot in a couple of years. I am a teacher and have seen it happen. Have you visited?

I would move house so you are in a better catchment for a good secondary school but keep the DC at their current primary.
My son went to a secondary school where he didn’t know anyone and I’ll admit I was worried for him because he was a quiet, sensitive child. But he was absolutely fine and had made new friends within a couple of days. It was actually quite good in a sense, a new school and a completely fresh start - no baggage of friendship groups / previous issues from Primary etc. Just a completely new beginning.

No I haven't visited... I've heard positive things about the head but the exam performance is pretty bad. Maybe we need to visit and see the school for ourselves.

That reassuring poptart - my eldest is also sensitive and quiet so it's her I'm probably most concerned about. Glad to hear your son soon settled in.

Thanks for your perspectives