DS2 is 6 and in Y2. He is at a small private school, because we sent DS1 there (due to SEN he wasn't coping well in a state primary) and couldn't logistically cope with having them at different schools. The school has been amazing for DS1 but have never really felt it suited DS2, though he's been fine. DS1 is now moving to a specialist school in the autumn, and we're left wondering what to do with DS2. Private education was never really the plan and isn't affordable long-term - my DM has paid because she thought it was best for DS1, but has made it clear that she doesn't really want to continue to do so for DS2 all the way through to Y6, especially as nobody, including DS2, feels the school is right for him! To complicate matters DS2 has recently lost a couple of friends who've left the school, his 'best friend' is being a bit unkind for various reasons, and he's therefore desperate to leave like DS1.
BUT none of the local state schools have spaces in his year, so it would be a case of a waiting list. They won't even let us look round until and unless he gets to the top of their list, and we're also potentially moving house next year. We will either be going closer to DS1's new school or to somewhere else entirely (but similar distance to DS1's school), both of which would make it unfeasible to get DS1 to new school in one direction and DS2 back to school here. So if he did move, he'd be looking at a second school move sometime next year, which feels bonkers to me.
DH is firmly of the opinion that he's unhappy where he is and we should just put him on the waiting lists and move him if he gets a place somewhere we're happy with. Then move him again if we move house. I think that's very disruptive for him, and we should just jolly him along where he is for now (as tbh I think a lot of what he doesn't like about his current school is just stuff that would happen at any school, though I do agree friendship stuff would probably be better as he's currently in a tiny class with limited options and finds it all a bit intense), and move him next year when we either move house or when we make a firm decision not to move.
WWYD?