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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To drive 30 mins back to school when we move house?

11 replies

ElizabethTrout · 19/06/2019 14:03

We're moving house to another town 30 mins drive away and can't decide whether to move the DC to a new, local primary school (they will be years 3 and 5 next year) or keep them in the same one until end of primary (we both work in the original town so driving in anyway).

One DC has some SEN and has had issues with school but is now fairly happy/settled, other one has always been happy at school. Both schools good, although quite different. Older DC will change anyway in year 7 to local secondary school, and could move younger DC then too... we're not 100% sure it's a completely permanent move which complicates the decision somewhat Confused

Really struggling with the decision, thanks in advance for any thoughts/experiences :)

OP posts:
HennyPennyHorror · 19/06/2019 14:14

I'd keep them where they are if you're planning on sending them to the secondary school near your new home anyway.

Less disruption is good. They can meet up with friends still. Thirty mins is not a lot.

actiongirl1978 · 19/06/2019 14:22

That's our school run. I have never had a problem with it. Other than a dirty car from all the after school sandwiches/pasta that's eaten when I collect them.

dreichuplands · 19/06/2019 15:08

We moved house out of catchment but kept dc in original school because we weren't sure it was a permanent move and we had already moved dc once.
It was a 30 minute drive but only 15 minutes from my work. It worked out fine. We ended up moving again after a year so I was really glad we had given dc that extra stability for the year.

Betty1064 · 19/06/2019 15:32

I'd leave them where they are, I moved 20 minutes from the school and it's honestly fine!

Original poster
ElizabethTrout · 19/06/2019 15:38

Ah thank you all for replies!

Seems pretty unanimous so far and comes as a bit of a relief tbh..,

OP posts:
Rainonmyguitar · 19/06/2019 17:49

I'd keep then where they are, especially as you'll be driving in for work anyway.

StrumpersPlunkett · 19/06/2019 17:52

It depends on whether making friends at local school would help them settle into new neighbourhood

Cakemadeoffruit · 19/06/2019 18:16

We moved ours as we felt moving to high school and moving primary school and leaving friends behind were much different. At primary they make a fuss of new kids, introduce them to friends and have peer/buddy partners to help then settle. They don't have that at high school so friend become vital for a smooth transition to high school. Going alone with no friends to high school can be horrifying. Our settled really quickly at their new primary.

Original poster
ElizabethTrout · 19/06/2019 19:54

Thanks again. Food for thought.

@Cakemadeoffruit that's what we're worried about - DC going to secondary without knowing anyone. We'd be hoping to build local friendships with cubs etc in the meantime but realise it might be a bit hit and miss...

OP posts:
thewinkingprawn · 19/06/2019 19:57

We have kept ours where they are in really similar circumstances - Y3 and Y5. As I understand it there are plenty of settling in activities at secondary and friendship groups change massively at this point so I really wouldn’t worry - there will be plenty of kids in the same situation.

Original poster
ElizabethTrout · 21/06/2019 16:26

Thanks @thewinkingprawn! That’s what I’m hoping re secondaries...

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