Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Moving DC to private school in summer term, how to tell her teacher

58 replies

Lolathepartygirl · 10/02/2023 10:47

DD is moving to a girls prep school in summer term. We've told her current state school on her taster day that we were thinking of moving her in Year 1, however it looks like she'll fall behind the girls at the prep school who are already ahead with writing and maths so moving her in Reception will ensure she'll catch up before Year 1.

Would I have to approach her current teacher to let her know in advance? Or do I just email the school office (which I'm going to do anyway) and let them deal with it?

When she came back from her taster day, her teachers asked her a few things about her day at the private school and seem to make a big deal out of it.

Anyone has any experience?

OP posts:
Original poster
Lolathepartygirl · 10/02/2023 10:47

I should have said DD is in Reception

OP posts:
PeekAtYou · 10/02/2023 10:49

You could email the school office and let them know her last day at the current school so they can offer her space to someone on the waiting list for your current school.

Candletow · 10/02/2023 10:49

It's fine OP, contact the school office and find out the process for de-regestering, that's all you have to do. Lots of teachers would be delighted to have one child less in their class tbh.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General education Primary education Private schooling
edwinbear · 10/02/2023 10:50

I'm not sure I understand the issue here? Your DD is moving schools, it happens all the time, just ask the office what the process is.

Tirednest · 10/02/2023 10:51

Candletow · 10/02/2023 10:49

It's fine OP, contact the school office and find out the process for de-regestering, that's all you have to do. Lots of teachers would be delighted to have one child less in their class tbh.

Lovely 😐

I'd tell them at the last minute. We did the same although in year 4 and the school were really shitty and chippy about it (not giving dd a part in the end of term concert for example despite her being an excellent musician - why she went in the first place).

mindutopia · 10/02/2023 10:52

When we changed schools (not to private, but surely it's the same), I just emailed the office to let them know and the new school had a form for them to fill out to let them know a bit more about her.

That said, I really can't see the advantage of moving middle of the year. Being ahead in academics is one thing, but in reception, a school that is pushing academics to that extent wouldn't be one I'd want to move my child to honestly. But it's so much more about socialisation and feeling settled and comfortable. You might find she settles so much more easily moving in at the start of the year when the teacher and classroom and routine are going to be new for everyone (and there will likely be another new starter) rather than at nearly the end of the year when everyone else is settled and nothing is new anymore.

Original poster
Lolathepartygirl · 10/02/2023 10:55

mindutopia · 10/02/2023 10:52

When we changed schools (not to private, but surely it's the same), I just emailed the office to let them know and the new school had a form for them to fill out to let them know a bit more about her.

That said, I really can't see the advantage of moving middle of the year. Being ahead in academics is one thing, but in reception, a school that is pushing academics to that extent wouldn't be one I'd want to move my child to honestly. But it's so much more about socialisation and feeling settled and comfortable. You might find she settles so much more easily moving in at the start of the year when the teacher and classroom and routine are going to be new for everyone (and there will likely be another new starter) rather than at nearly the end of the year when everyone else is settled and nothing is new anymore.

Thank you. I think DD will be fine settling in, she loved her taster day and couldn't wait to go back. Her current school is very noisy and lots of disruptive kids in the class, I feel this will impact her learning long term.

OP posts:
Tirednest · 10/02/2023 10:55

Summer term at prep is amazing and you finish early so cheaper holidays.

Original poster
Lolathepartygirl · 10/02/2023 10:57

Tirednest · 10/02/2023 10:51

Lovely 😐

I'd tell them at the last minute. We did the same although in year 4 and the school were really shitty and chippy about it (not giving dd a part in the end of term concert for example despite her being an excellent musician - why she went in the first place).

Show quote history

😔 that doesn't sound great! Thank you for sharing, I'll keep it to the last week.

OP posts:
Candletow · 10/02/2023 10:57

Tirednest · 10/02/2023 10:51

Lovely 😐

I'd tell them at the last minute. We did the same although in year 4 and the school were really shitty and chippy about it (not giving dd a part in the end of term concert for example despite her being an excellent musician - why she went in the first place).

Show quote history

What? It was just to try and allay OPs unfounded worry that the teacher would react badly or whatever- in reality most wouldn't he upset or annoyed or whatever else no matter how much they enjoyed and liked teaching the child.

ChildminderMum · 10/02/2023 10:57

You just have to email the office to say you're deregistering her.

I doubt the teacher will be bothered to be honest! Maybe give her a nice card on the last day?

PotKettel · 10/02/2023 10:58

Just email the school office and catch the teacher at school pickup? What’s the big drama? No different to moving house is it?

Tirednest · 10/02/2023 11:01

Candletow · 10/02/2023 10:57

What? It was just to try and allay OPs unfounded worry that the teacher would react badly or whatever- in reality most wouldn't he upset or annoyed or whatever else no matter how much they enjoyed and liked teaching the child.

Show quote history

Not being upset or annoyed is not the same as not caring.

OP, if the teacher really couldn't give a shit about your child leaving then you've made the right decision. I'd just let them know by email as late as possible.

Grumbleofpugs · 10/02/2023 11:02

I taught for many years and I'd always be happy for a child and family making the best choice for themselves. If the teacher or school get arsey then just shows you made the right decision.

Original poster
Lolathepartygirl · 10/02/2023 11:03

Thank you all!

I wouldn't say moving school is the same as moving house as we clearly have an issue with her current school, otherwise we wouldn't move her, especially at such a high cost. But of course, I just don't know whether they'll take offence as they seemed to make a big deal out of DD's taster day and asked her lots of questions about the kids and the teachers there.

OP posts:
LIZS · 10/02/2023 11:03

I would leave it until later in March. Once it is known she may be treated differently by other pupils and parents.

ItsNotReallyChaos · 10/02/2023 11:03

I'd give the school a bit of notice just for common courtesy. If the current school have generally been good I'd email saying thank you for x,y and z. DD has had a lovely positive start to her education here. For various reasons we have decided to move her to X school, starting on 15th April so her last day here will be 31st March.

DD left her school mid year because both the education and emotional care at the school were severely lacking but I still let them know she was going in reasonable time in case it affected planning.

Tirednest · 10/02/2023 11:04

Lolathepartygirl · 10/02/2023 11:03

Thank you all!

I wouldn't say moving school is the same as moving house as we clearly have an issue with her current school, otherwise we wouldn't move her, especially at such a high cost. But of course, I just don't know whether they'll take offence as they seemed to make a big deal out of DD's taster day and asked her lots of questions about the kids and the teachers there.

I bet they did. Honestly just email them on the last day.

Original poster
Lolathepartygirl · 10/02/2023 11:04

ItsNotReallyChaos · 10/02/2023 11:03

I'd give the school a bit of notice just for common courtesy. If the current school have generally been good I'd email saying thank you for x,y and z. DD has had a lovely positive start to her education here. For various reasons we have decided to move her to X school, starting on 15th April so her last day here will be 31st March.

DD left her school mid year because both the education and emotional care at the school were severely lacking but I still let them know she was going in reasonable time in case it affected planning.

Thank you, that's very good advice!

OP posts:
Businessflake · 10/02/2023 11:04

That said, I really can't see the advantage of moving middle of the year. Being ahead in academics is one thing, but in reception, a school that is pushing academics to that extent wouldn't be one I'd want to move my child to honestly.

I wouldn’t class the opportunity for one to one reading every day as pushing the academics, which is what will most likely happen at the private school.

OP I think you are doing the right thing. The small class sizes makes a massive difference to early reading, writing and maths support. It’s not pushing the academics, it’s just the simple return you get for more focused time in the class room that is only possible because of the small class sizes.

ItsNotReallyChaos · 10/02/2023 11:05

they seemed to make a big deal out of DD's taster day and asked her lots of questions about the kids and the teachers there.

I think this is great and showed a good level of care. It suggests that they'll be supportive towards your DD.

Qwertyfudge · 10/02/2023 11:08

I think the worry is some teachers might see it as a reflection on them, which is unlikely to be the case. Rather the decision to make a move like this is often a reaction to the shit show that is the state education system, thanks to years of underfunding and unnecessary meddling by our woeful government to the detriment of our children.

BarmyArmy22 · 10/02/2023 11:11

we were thinking of moving her in Year 1, however it looks like she'll fall behind the girls at the prep school who are already ahead with writing and maths so moving her in Reception will ensure she'll catch up before Year 1

Jeez @Lolathepartygirl unclench! Education is a marathon not a sprint.

Do you think ALL the children at age 4/5 in your DD's state school will be behind the privately educated 4/5 year olds in the new school or do you just mean your DD will be behind them? Is she one of the younger children in the year group?

BarmyArmy22 · 10/02/2023 11:13

Once you've been in the school system a while you will see lots of children come and go from schools for many reasons, the teachers are unlikely to take it personally unless you state you are moving her because she is being offered a 'lesser education' in their class.

Tirednest · 10/02/2023 11:13

BarmyArmy22 · 10/02/2023 11:11

we were thinking of moving her in Year 1, however it looks like she'll fall behind the girls at the prep school who are already ahead with writing and maths so moving her in Reception will ensure she'll catch up before Year 1

Jeez @Lolathepartygirl unclench! Education is a marathon not a sprint.

Do you think ALL the children at age 4/5 in your DD's state school will be behind the privately educated 4/5 year olds in the new school or do you just mean your DD will be behind them? Is she one of the younger children in the year group?

Early reading and writing skills lead to better academic attainment.

Swipe left for the next trending thread