Should we move secondary schools?

[MoSalahsBeard]

In a dilemma.

we chose the secondary school that we felt was the best environment for our son when he was in year 6. Things have been very up and down since he’s been there with some rough bullying incidents and a crappy patch recently where he has fallen in with a bad crowd.

Academically though it’s also difficult. We are in GCSE choices stage and have found out that he must do all 3 sciences as separate subjects. He’s ok at science but not great. He also only gets one GCSE choice and they do 10 subjects in total rather than 9.

He’s not hugely academic. His current school doesn’t seem to suit him.

Would we be mad to consider either home schooling him or moving him to another school?

Not if that's what he would like to do.

Ask him what he’d prefer. It’s difficult given he’s just about to start GCSEs

He says he is concerned about moving schools and not knowing people/ the stress of it.

Depending what is the bad crowd bad at and is there to stop the bullies .....

In my area you can’t move schools for love nor money. Well maybe you could for money, if you cough up to go private.

It is tough to start home edding at this age but not impossible depending on your circumstances.

It’s also a tough time to move schools and make new friends.

It really depends on how your son feels about it all.

I would certainly investigate all other options. There is no way I would make such a decision without finding out. And I would be saying to ds “I am the parent. I see the need and it is my duty to do these investigations”, all the wile keeping lines of communication open.

If something else does look good, you could perhaps sell it to ds as being a bit easier on him/timetable being the sort of thing he prefers.