To ask you about moving Scotland to England and schools?

[SuperJesus]

Already have a thread in chat but still looking for a range of experiences so thought I'd try in here. Original OP below -

It's looking increasingly likely that I will be moving to England (North East) in the next few months. I have children entering primary 7 and 2 after the summer. Can anyone tell me any experiences with both systems, good or bad? I keep hearing the Scottish system is better but we do like to toot our own horns up here wink so would like to know in which ways.

If it matters, the new school will be in a small town and eldest has SN although high functioning and doesn't receive support at school but does struggle to make friends etc.

How is the Scottish accent likely to go down in a small town English School? In fact in general? Will I feel very self conscious? Dp already has family and friends there so not total newcomers.

Thanks

I can't say anything about the schooling but no-one will care about the accent!

When are the kids' birthdays? Would they have to change year groups?

I moved to England 7 years ago. DS had an accent and it wasntwasn't an issue at school, tbh its move of an issue when we go back to visit in Scotland.

I think schools in Scotland used to be better but it has swung the other way and they are now better in England (on average). Certainly more opportunities in England for going to university now.

How old is the p7? Would they have to go straight to secondary school?

Someone on my thread in chat thinks they may have to go straight to secondary. Eldest will be 12 next March. Youngest 6 in sept

Yes they would enter year 7 (first year of secondary school) if they are 11 before 1st September.

Senior school in England is September after 11th birthday for most schools.
I would speak to someone at the LEA for the area you are moving to. They should be able to send you out information about local schools and admission process.

Your youngest would be entering year 1 (England have Reception followed by year 1, so second year of primary) and will be the very oldest in the year.

Thank you for confirming that, that is a big concern yes. Youngest is very excited about not being a 'baby' P1 anymore so telling him he's going to year 1 may be a disappointment! Eldest is no where near ready for secondary, he has ASD. So will be quite the jump.

I think it's all relative though - he might be a Y1, but he's not a Reception baby

Both systems have their positives and negatives. no help

What I will say is be prepared for bullying. I was massively bullied about my accent after moving from Glasgow to Reading for years. Moved 3 schools and it just didn't change the kids. Started when I was 7. Ruined my self confidence.

patronsaintofglocks

That is really worrying and something I have thought about, I hoped I was just being paranoid. The local kids seem to like the accent when we are visiting and they are playing out, but schools may be very different

Schools are very different. I would suggest really thinking about whether this is the right move for them so young, but if it's unavoidable maybe think about elocution lessons for the kids.

It is hard enough for the kids to adjust to a new country but the bullying can be unbearable.

Although, I will say it was worse in primary school. In high school there were so many races and religions that many people had different actions but I went to a big state school in a huge town that is essentially a city.
Older kids appreciate differences mostly, but primary school kids can be cruel.

Also consider the language, although you speak English you will use colloquialisms.
So normal everyday words the kids use won't be understood in England.

Have a quick google and find out the local slang and give the kids a quick lesson! They can teach their peers too. Hope it works out xx

The move does seem likely but it's not guaranteed just yet. This will be northern England (North Yorkshire) so I don't think the slang will be very different I may be wrong... dp is from there so the children are used to hearing the accent and some local words. Also the younger has virtually no Scottish accent as yet the eldest does but it's not very strong Scottish, it's not Glaswegian for example