Move from England to Wales with DD

[amandatay1301]

hello

I am posting as I am looking for some guidance please, my DD and I currently live in Southampton, my daughter doing very well at school, in Yr 5.

We are now considering a move to Swansea, Wales, where I will naturally put her into a second language Welsh school if we do decide (I am originally from Wales and speak the language fluently, so she can speak basic Welsh). I am worried however that a move so close to ending primary school with SATs coming up next year will be a bad one.

Can anyone help, has anyone done this move, or know of anyone who has? If so, how did it go?

DD and I have spoken about this broadly, and she seems happy, family is still based there so she will have home comforts there already...

TIA

I don't know, there is a large gap in per pupil funding between England and Wales isn't there?

Children don't do SATs in Wales.

anyway SATS are about the school not the pupil I think.
If moving to Wales meant that she would miss them then that would be positive surely?

Lots of schools in Wales are pretty poor in terms of levels of achievement.

I don't want to sound negative but I have had two children in secondary school in Wales and it wasn't impressive.

Children don't do SATs in Wales.

They do do national tests though.

They still do national tests in Wales in the May of each year. Also MANY schools in Wales are excellent.

Yes of course it will depend on the area and the school.

I wouldn't worry about SATs too much. In terms of education, I'd have said it's as good a time as any to move.

If education is the deal breaker in this move then do your research - secondary schools in both your current area and Swansea.

There are some excellent schools in Swansea and Neath, where would you plan to move to?

Thank you for your comments, I didn't expect so many!

I'm looking at the Gowerton area, stretching to Mumbles potentially. I've had a look at Gowerton school prospectus which seems positive.... I'm slowly making my way through Estyn reports!

The school DD is in now isn't an amazing school on paper (ofsted), but she is performing so well against her age group and the school (in my opinion) is amazing and underated - I just reflect on my memories moving as a child (moved from B'ham to Wales) which was tough initially... also why I'd choose to put her into a Welsh second language school (I was put straight into first language!)