We're planning to relocate our family, within the UK (most probably England) at some point in the next few years. Would be a big move, far away. But timing is going to be critical.
We have DC1 about to start A-levels. Obviously can't move in the next 2 years as presumably the courses will be different in other schools/colleges. Plus, disruption would be too much. DC2 going into year 11, currently planning to go to agricultural college for a 2 year vocational course. If that happens, the college does have residential capacity which DC2 would love, so could potentially move during and still carry on there.
DC3, about to start year 8. Their school (different to DC2) starts GCSEs in year 9 at the moment (this may change as DC1 did 3 year gcse and it changed the next year so DC2 only did 2 year ones). Presumably moving from a school that does 3 years to one that 2 years would be easier than the other way around. So potentially moving at the end of year 9 could work.
So, 2 years could work but there will be downsides. Otherwise, wait until end of GCSEs for DC3 which is 4 years and other DCs would have finished compulsory education (DC1 probably at university and DC2 working full time, based on their current intentions). Problem with that is moving when DC2 has a job they may want to stay for, but won't be able to live independently. I feel it's better to move them while they still need to live at home, so they can have a secure base to leave from when they're ready, if that makes sense.
Would like to hear people's thoughts on this, especially if you've done it (I know ideally we'd have moved when they were in primary, but that wasn't possible).