Changing schools in Y9

[DecisionOClock]

Due to changes in circumstances, we’re looking at leaving London over the summer (amongst other things, fixed rate mortgage ends at the end of the year, can’t afford to wait and see how bad things get).

DD is at a state school that is the best we could’ve hoped for. She’s settled and thriving, GCSEs chosen.

Has anyone ever had to make a move at this stage and it ended up ok? Secondary applications was a fraught time, and for the same reasons I think it’ll be difficult to find space in a good school wherever we end up, but I’ve no idea how things are when changing halfway through secondary.

You might get a place but it doesn’t mean she’ll get her options. I’d stick it out for another 2 years personally.

I would stay put too.

Thanks for replying.

I wasn’t clear, sorry, she’s coming to the end of Y8 now. If we go now, maybe it will be ok, at least educationally.

I don’t know what’s going to happen but it feels like there’s more chance of a softer landing if we go now.

I get it though, moving her at this stage is risky. I just think it might be inevitable.

You would apply as a "mid year transfer", and the schools available to you would depend on where had spaces.

Going now is probably your last opportunity for a while - but you will be very lucky to sell your house and have moved before the autumn.

I went to four secondary schools moved in year 8, year 9 and 11. Fathers job. I managed the first two fine, changing schools in year 11 was hell and affected my grades. So if you have to relocate do it now

Of course, I know it.

It won’t be easy socially either.

We would have to stay with family to begin with.

I don't know if you have you have any specific ideas of where you want to relocate to but you could look at areas with a 3 tier education system. End of year 8 is a natural break point in most 3 tier areas so she'd be with a whole cohort of children starting at a new school. My daughter is in year 8 coming to the end of Middle school and will be starting High school in September. We're in North Worcestershire but there are small pockets of 3 tier across the country (increasingly hard to find though, unfortunately)

I did and it was absolutely fine. The only issue was they did German instead of French at GCSE and I had missed 2 years of it. Still got a B though
It was probably the best move I did as I loved the school