moving back to English curriculum after IB abroad?

[terribletwosome]

Hi
We are in the process of my husband possibly getting a job in Singapore. Given what I keep hearing about waiting lists etc, I am more than happy for my children to attend an IB school - my only concern being how hard it would be for them to readapt to an English curriculum when we returned to the UK - possibly in 5 years time. Has anyone done this or know anyone who has and how has this gone? Can you get a tutor to smooth out the gaps? Is is a bad idea - or is it actually an advantage?
All views appreciated!

How old are your children?
What stage will they be at in 5 years time?

God, I'm sorry. You need to do some reading. The schools in Singapore are generally considered to be the best in the world! Leap at it and stuff the problems of trying to come back later.

This is my dream school: www.uwcsea.edu.sg/ I have been reading about it and will, at some point, sell my house to work there. The ethos makes me cry it's so beautiful. And, what's more important, it's all true (unlike a lot of the rubbish that gets written on school websites). The kids are enormously high achieving and I prefer the IB to the British system anyway.

I am massively envious of your opportunity. Your kids will be so lucky!

The problems are more likely to be in the transition from English schooling to IB schooling. Coming back to an English system will seem like a piece of piss afterwards!

If they've been at an IB school for 5 years, they will find it very easy in the British system - it will probably be more of a concern that they're not being challenged enough.

Tortu, it's interesting what you say about UWC SEA, my children go to an UWC school in Europe and the model was the one in Asia. Our school is a complete shambles at times and we are very disillusioned with it but through lack of choice have to continue.

On paper it all looks very appealing but the reality (here at least) is very different.

My mum got a teaching job in Singapore (at a state school) when I was 11. I went to UWCSEA (the S'pore govt paid my fees, which now seems very odd) and got a good education; it was a great school and it broadened my views no end. I returned to the UK at the start of key stage 4 and found that I had no difficulties adapting to the curriculum. The only potential mis-match was foreign languages; I wanted to opt for Malay at school but my parents made me learn French because that's what I'd have to do when I came back to the UK.

If possible, try to move back when you children are not in the middle of exm years (i.e. at end of Y10 or Y12) but I suppose that depends on the ages of your children and the age gap(s).

Might be an idea to post in Living Overseas.

When you come back send them to an IB school?

Who knows what will be going on with our exam system when you return! The IB should prepare them well no matter what and it is becoming more popular in schools here (my school does it) so they may be able to continue with it when you come back.

I second what FourEyes says about trying to avoid moving back at the end of years 10 and 12 if possible.