Moving primary school in Y6

[Schoolsupport]

My son is 11, he has autism and adhd but very low level needs. He is currently in the same primary school he’s been in since nursery. He is being bullied however and has asked to move schools.

My concern is that it’s not a good time to change schools, his education will be disrupted and he has his Sats next year. Also he will struggle to adapt to the new environment (he struggles with change) and may not make any friends. At his current school he only has 1 friend and mostly the other children pick on him. If he went to a new school and didn’t make any friends he would be so sad.

I’m just wondering if anyone has moved their child in Y6 and how it went? Or as a child moved school in Y6 and how you felt? I don’t want my son to be unhappy at school, but it’s a huge gamble to move him and against my better judgement.

I wouldn’t worry too much about SAT’s, I’d want him settled with friends to move to high school.

It is a good time in my opinion. There's lots going on in year six which is a good chance for bonding. And new relationships can be formed before secondary school.

He will be doing the same SATS at whatever school he goes too. It's not like GCSEs with different exam boards or where one school does Macbeth and the next one Romeo and Juliet.

We have had children come to us in Year 6 and it's been great for them. We also had a child who left us as their parents were not happy with our school and, although the child was ultimately home schooled from Yr 7 onwards, they were fine for their last two terms at their new school.
You know your son best and will know whether he'd be better to move. To be honest, his happiness is the most important thing, and he may fare better with SATs if he's more relaxed and secure.

I moved areas and wanted to apply for secondary in the normal admissions round. There was more than one new student that year - possibly because they were in the same situation.

I wouldn't worry about SATS- it's not like GCSE where there are different boards etc

Thank you for all the messages 💖It’s reassuring re the SATS.

I’m worrying that because of his additional needs he may find the change difficult and struggle to fit in. He could start as early as next week, but I don’t know if he would settle or fit in as he is quite different to most children his age, younger in some ways and behaviourally he can be naughty like a younger child. He also doesn’t like change and struggles to adapt. Mostly Y6 children would already have their friendship groups.

Any other perspectives would be very much appreciated 🙂

We moved my Y6 daughter following a relocation. She has ADHD and anxiety, and was very nervous about starting a new school. The class were lovely to her, I think they were all quite excited to have a new face as they can get tired of each other by that stage. She made a new group of friends v quickly.

Sorry sent that too quickly.
I was going to say it's not an easy decision to make.
Could you have a chat with the school SENCO before moving him. They might give you a sense of what the year group is like. Is the school you are considering moving him to single form entry? If more than one year group they might be able to place him with the class they think he would settle in best with.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like : )

SATs are for the school, not your child, so don't worry about that. His happiness is key, and only you know whether bullying or potential loneliness until he makes a friend is most likely to be a problem. At 10 he's probably grown up enough to have considered that when asking to move school, so talk to him about those worries.
We moved to start year 6 in a new school. She has settled really well, already making school council and lead in a play, as well as new friends. The school have been helpful getting her diagnosed with dyslexia, which I had been fighting with her old school since lockdown.

Thank you, it’s a good idea to speak to the Senco and I will do that 🙂 It’s a 3 form entry school.

The school have arranged an appointment on Monday where my son can go and look around. They’ve said he can stay for a lesson and see how he feels. I was only expecting a quick tour, so the fact that they are willing to do this for him seems so lovely to me. I had already explained about his additional needs and this will really help him to make a decision.

There are no guarantees so I suppose it will either be a positive thing to move him or it could be a disaster. There’s no way to know. But reading that others have had a positive experience has helped, so thank you all

That sounds really positive, and sensible on behalf of the school. Could he stay for a break time as well to get a sense of how welcoming the kids in his class would be? Good luck to him and you.

Thank you! I’m not sure, I can ask. I really appreciate the support 💖

Just to update, we ended up moving him and he’s now been at the new school for a week. He is happy, settling in really well and making friends. I’m so so relieved and happy for him, I hope this continues.

Thank you everyone who encouraged me and offered your support- I wouldn’t have taken this risk without all of your additional input 💖

That's brilliant! Hopefully the confidence from starting a new school will carry him forward into secondary too.

Lovely news, well done @Schoolsupport and DS... particularly fab as this is something he has requested for himself 👌

Thank you!

Yes I managed to get him to agree to start on Monday, he was so so nervous and I was so worried. But he’s now happy and even has his first crush 🥰😊

Awe bless him that's great 🥰