to consider moving dd to a different school

[alittlehoarse]

My dc are at a tiny school as we live in quite a remote area. Ds has 8 in his year and has had a constant 'best friend' for a long time.

Dd on the other hand has only 2 in her yr. Her and a little boy. She had a couple of good friend at pre school but one went to a different school and tragically the other died. When she started school she got friendly with a girl in the year above her but last year she moved down south. Then she befriended another girl in the year above and they were great together but at the end of term she also moved away. This leaves only 2 girls in the year above my dd. One is a complete horror constantly in trouble and the other is a little bully. My dd is gutted that her two friends have left and I can't help feeling gutted too.

Is it totally dramatic to consider puuting her to the school in the next village? There are at least 3 girls her age there and a few in yr above, all nice kids we know from her dance class.

I can't help worrying that she has lost so many friends through no fault of her own in such a short time. She is 6.

Her sister will be starting school after summer. There are 2 yrs between them and currently they can't stand each other! They used to be v. close. My only hope is both being at school will close the gap and they will have each other. (although dd2 going to school with her two little pre school friends)

AIBU to consider a school move for just dd1 when I am otherwise happy with school?

I think YANBU. The social aspect of school is important, especially at such a young age. I'd hope the headteacher of your current school would understand that, and accept your reasons for moving her.

YANBU. I went to a tiny village school. My sister's class had other girls, mine didn't. I'd move your dd if she were mine. Your other option is to get her involved in some out of school activities where she can meet some other girls.

I'd move her if the other school has room.She will be so much happier in a place where she has friends.

I would move her. You are in such a small community, you have to do things to make it work socially for your DD.

Friendships are so important and teach us a lot for later life. I have moved my girls because of lack of other girls. They are so much happier now.

Move her I agree

Will you have kids in two different schools? How will you manage school runs?
Would you consider involving your dd in after school activities in the other village where she could meet other girls and if that works move school next year?

I wouldnt worry too much about having them in two schools. I had kids in three different schools and their afterschool carer worked in a fourth school. I had no choice because of the various SEN issues. It's no big deal and certainly worth it for getting each child into the right place for them.

yanbu socialising at school is very important to children I would have thought the school would have composite classes if the class sizes are so tiny ,anyway id put her to a new school if you feel that is what is best for her,

fwiw dds were always friends with boys in primary even with lots of girls in the class

I think you should move her.

If the school is that tiny but there is another one close enough to be considering, surely there's a risk the school could close anyway? Or am I just a pessimist?

Just want to say she is not alone in having her friends move away. Every single "best" friend that my youngest son managed to make (he doesn't make friends easily) has moved away.

The final straw came when the only person from primary that he put down that he wanted to be with in his class at secondary left after a year because his mum was getting re-married, and moved from the area. He has spent most of this past year "friendless",but has just started to make a new friend who is 'on his wavelength'. I'm seriously keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't happen again.

If the other school is very small then isn't there a risk that your DD will find it hard to fit into a close knit group of girls that are already good friends? Just a thought, I don't think YABU.