WIBU to move my DC to a different school?

[Fizzielove]

Sorry this is so long!!

DC are 4 and 8, have started P1 & P5 . DS (P5) has written homework Monday , Tuesday & Wednesday . Usually a worksheet to complete for either English or maths then also times table revision and spellings and reading. The teacher puts the spellings up on the board and the kids are to write them down a first thing in the morning along with a buzzword they are to look up in the dictionary . We had a meet the teacher night almost 3 weeks into term and I had noticed my DS was coming home without his spellings and buzzwords. I phoned some of the other parents ( at least 6) and none of their children had them taken down either. I raised this at meet the teacher and the teachers were completely unaware that the kids hadn't been taking them down or doing their homework - they obviously weren't marking the homework ! This is still an ongoing issue one I am fighting with my DS to remind him to do it. Also as some of you may remember I lost my dad and Granda in August, DS is a sensitive wee soul and has been getting upset at lunchtimes. He was sitting crying and not eating his packed lunch when the lunch supervisor asked him what was wrong and he told them the lady told him he'd get over it and to hurry up eating his lunch. The next week he went to see the school counsellor and was late for his lunch and the same supervisor again gave him a flea in his ear to eat his lunch quickly when he was late. I've tried speaking to the principal who is a lovely man but he backs the staff to the hilt! So I'm wondering would a fresh start in a new school help. My DS complains about the other kids ditching him to go into the bushes and other places they are not meant to go, he won't go because he knows he'll be the one caught and punished!! All in all I think due to the chaos of the teaching in the classroom, the hassle at lunchtime, the ditching, WIBU to move them to a new school? It just appears that the standards are slipping every year since the old principal retired! I have seen the new schools organisation of homework alone and that has been impressive . DS does know a few boys that go to the new school so he wouldnt be completely alone IYSWIM. Should I take the plunge and just accept that the current school is going downhill and move them. I just want to give them the best chance for life.

I wouldn't move for those reasons, no.
Homework; I don't personally believe homework is essential for primary school aged children. Do you feel that he is making progress? If not, I would request another meeting with his teacher first before thinking about moving.

Lunchtime supervisor- she sounds tactless and a bit thick, but this is not uncommon amongst support staff. I would complain about her but not move my child because of her; there will probably be tactless and insensitive members of staff at the new school.

Lunchtime woes- I'd complain to the head -via email for a paper trail- about inadequate lunchtime supervision but kudos to your son for following the rules. If nothing changes, why not 'allow' your son to play in the bushes. If he does get into trouble, then I'd kick up a stink.

It all does sound trying and irritating, though, you have my sympathies

I'd make sure something was done about the lunchtime supervisor so she's more understanding, but otherwise these seem like very minor reasons to move schools, sorry. Nowhere is perfect, but this really doesn't sound so bad.

I think you're going to encounter issues in any school and practices you disagree with will always arise. The head teacher is absolutely correct to support the staff in the first instance. Can you imagine if they caved in to every parent's whim, it would be total chaos.

I think a couple of things..

Homework is not coming home so don't do it.. Do some reading with Ds.

Th dinner supervisor worth mentioning any further incidents.

Re principal defending her staff.. You have to be a little bit clever here.. If you go in saying your staff are shit then she/he will get defensive.. If you say My Ds is struggling at lunchtime how can we help him much different response.

No school can be the right school for every child.

So no matter how good a school, it may not be the right school for your DS.

But, in your case, you don't even think it's that good a school.

I wouldn't hesitate to move my DS if I thought the new school would be better.

I do believe homework is important. It is training and preparing them for later years. But it's only any good if it is appropriately set (which includes appropriate content and ALSO distribution) and marked.

Lots of little niggles does equal a reason to move.

The new school won't be perfect either. But so what? Gives all of you a fresh start.

Schools do vary enormously. If you think the other ones better no reason not to move.