DD wants to move to school out of council.

[kamara332]

adopted daughter,14 excelled through primary, loads of friends always the brightest in the class had no problems whatsoever, except from a bit of anxiety but otherwise no problems. we moved house in her last year of primary and despite her not wanting too- we moved her primary schools for her last year in primary- same thing she made friends did well academically- anxiety started to grow a bit more. started s1, first year of highschool, she made very good and fast friends with this girl named “f” they were very reliant on eachother and never parted, closer to the end of s1 dd fell out with the girl as the girl kept talking rubbish about all their other friends and dd disliked this- “f” then fell out with dd called her a bad friend, bad person and went round telling everyone in school that dd had said “this” and “that” about all of them. Dd and “f” were part of a very big popular group, although all of them including dd were afraid of “f”. So because of how well “f” and dds friendship group was everyone believed “f”s story as dd was too anxious too say anything too anyone . her anxiety really kicked in after that and we had too switch her too having all her work sent out online& having a tutor come in. She Completely distanced herself from everyone, people would message her saying why on earth have you said this about me making her out too be the bad person which heightened her anxiety even more and she slipped into very low moods. She didn’t see anyone from school for about a year apart from one girl who she was friendly with who was just very very shy and does not have any other friends but they saw eachother maybe once every 2 months. Dd now over the last 8 months has gotten so much better, more comfortable and confident and her anxiety is easing and she really really really wants to attend in person school again, meet new friends and start over again.
The catch is, she refuses too go too any school within the local councils next to us as she’s afraid she’ll be recognized as everyone here knows everyone there.
So she would have to go to a school that would mean she would have too have at least a 1hour bus journey before and after school to get there and back.
she and i are both fine with this, DD is actually really wanting this, she says it’s a chance to start over.
But i’m just wondering If anyone else’s child has gone too a school out with your local councils?

My friend's two DDs go to a school out of county. They travel from Essex into Hertfordshire. They do it because it's the closest school and they are very close to the county border though, it's not because of anything similar to what your DD has been through. What is your concern?

Loads do here because we're near the border of a county council. Maybe see if anywhere has places?

This is scotland I presume based on use of S1?
You have to ask for a placing request I think?

Does being adopted give you any priority? It does in England.

1 hour there and back is a long journey but she is 14 so doable if motivated I guess.

(if it is Scotland, maybe try Scotsnet for info on the process, if needed).

Hi, Yeah thank you. it’s not exactly a concern i was just wondering if she would get into a school in another authority as i don’t know anyone who’s child does, i’ll have a chat with schools out with too see if there are any spaces available

@TeenMinusTests, Yeah it’s scotland and Yeah it probably would be a placing request i would have too do or get dds social worker too contact schools in other authority’s.
I think looked after/ previously looked after children does give a priority, dd was in foster care before we got her but not for a long time but i’m sure it would still be applicable.

Is it uncommon in Scotland? Where I live it's relatively doable to get to schools in a number of different LAs and as long as there's space I assumed there wasn't an issue as I know several of my DCs friends who have gone from primary to different areas for secondary.

It sounds like you need Scottish specific advice

@SirensofTitan I mean There is Loads of kids who go to different schools out of catchment but still within the authority but we would have too go out of authority, Which i’m not sure if it is common i just don’t personally know anyone who themselves went to an out of authority school or sends there there child too one.

It is possible to go to school in a different LA, but you won't get any help with transport expenses to get here there and if she needs funding for additional support that might get tricky too.

But, the history of being a LAC might change the picture slightly. Best to speak to the school you want her to go to and see what they have to say.

*My opinion comes from 10 years of working as an Higher Pupil Support Officer in Scottish schools.

I know of a recent where the family moved their child to a school out of area and he actually did very well there - unfortunately after 6 months and lots of failed appeals, the home LA were still not willing to pay for transport and the long-term cost was too much for the family so the boy returned to his original area.

@ChocolateDeficitDisorder Hi, Thank you so much.
The travel costs are no problem for us & She dosent need funding for additional support.
Do you reckon i should speak too schools within the areas she would be willing to go too too find out where has spaces etc?

Yes, I think you start with the schools she wants to go to and start from there. Being an ex-LAC child can open doors.

Good luck, I hope she's happier in whatever school she goes to.

Not in the uk but dd has a two bus commute that takes a bit over an hour each way. Four years down this week and another two to go. She manages just fine.