Aibu to move schools and house? Wwyd?

[Cheeriosaddict]

Hi, this is my first post so please be kind! Looking for some advice.. My ds aged 6 is happy at his primary school and as a family we LOVE the area we live in. But it is so expensive and we need more space since ds2 (18 months arrived). Extending is unlikely.
A house further out of town on a (quite soulless) new build estate is available within budget with plenty of space. It would mean a school move however the new school has amazing facilities and it feeds into a much better (academically anyway) secondary school.
We currently live in the catchment of a good but not nearly as good secondary school.
Would you move a happy child out of school for more space and possibly better primary and secondary?
His current primary isn't without fault- he wasn't progressing as much as he could be so we have had to pick up the short fall at home. He is also misbehaving with some friends although we accept this as standard for 6 year old. The class sizes are also smaller at New primary school but we know nothing about how happy the kids are there which is my main focus for ds whilst he is so young.
I feel like it is now or never for moving him before moving becomes harder.
Wwyd? Aibu to move a happy child for a risk of better opportunities and more space?

We moved our six year old to a new school 8 weeks ago. He loved the school he was in and had loads of friends but the teaching was awful.

He has settled right in and made new friends, been invited to parties already.

@Celeriacacaca we aren't dismissive of bad behaviour and any time the teacher has mentioned anything we have supported her and he has been punished at home. I'm also reluctant to assume playing rock, paper, scissors in assembly will mean he will turn into a disrespectful teenager. We are keen to support the teacher and school but perhaps we could query why he hasnt progressed as much this year. She hasn't appeared overly concerned about poor behaviour as such, more just a couple of passing comments about him talking too much (he doesn't stop talking at home either) . Is this something I should be overly concerned about?
Otherwise he's a happy, very well mannered child but can be excitable and distracted. Again I assumed this was typical 6 year old but could be wrong.

@newlife that's reassuring to hear and I'm pleased it's worked out for you. X

@Techway I would never love the new area (there's nothing to love really, it is just a big housing estate) but I would love the extra space and the house.
I do love where we live currently and would be sad to leave it. But this is second to what is best for my sons so I think we would just get used to having to get in the car..

My children attend a brand new school on a new estate, although we don’t live on the estate. Don’t underestimate the potential for building community and relationships, even on a ‘soulless’ estate. There are lots of young families on the estate near us and the children often play outside together and make use of the playgrounds that have been built. The school has acted as a hub and helped a lot of neighbours get to know each other.

@foldinthecheese thanks, that's great to hear. Sorry if describing it as soulless offended anyone. I should have just said it is a housing estate with little else surrounding it.
You make a good point about the community bringing the 'soul'. I do like the idea of my sons playing out in the estate which isn't possible on our road.

I think moving a child at 6 is fine, especially one who is sociable and good at making friends.

The thing that would worry me is what the new school will be like. It may have amazing facilities but that's not everything, and class sizes are likely to increase as more families move onto the estate.

Also, the number of children living in the catchment of the secondary school will increase, so you may not be able to guarantee a place there when the time comes. You might want to choose a spot on the edge of the estate that is nearest to the school to maximise your chances!

I’d go for it op, kids are more adaptable than we think.
We are also in the process of buying our own first home (moving a few miles away) . Try to include him in the excitement for moving, look at fun things to do nearby etc

Totally. He's only 6. kids move all the time.

At 6 it really won't take him long to settle into the new school. If you're convinced the new area is better long term I really wouldn't let a few weeks disruption put you off.

Do it OP.

My eldest is 8 and cries every time I even mention moving school for a new house so we will probably choose not to. I know I could do it and she doesn’t dictate our lives blah blah blah but it feels so cruel.

Do it ASAP before he gets to this stage.

@Fifthtimelucky I think you've hit the nail on the head with my reservations. The new school is shiny and new with its fancy facilities but it is unknown. His current school isn't perfect but he is happy and it is a nice little village school. I do think he could be have been challenged more this year and I know he talks too much but last year I couldn't have faulted the school or his behaviour. My main worry is moving and him not being happy. He has a physical disability and I do worry that may make him stand out a bit (particularly if he can't join in typical "boys" games such as football) although it has never been an issue at his current school and he is very sociable.
I moved school at 10 from a "rough" school where I was happy and my mum still talks about how withdrawn I became and it took me ages to settle. But looking back it was the right thing academically for me.

You've all given me lots to think about, thanks for your replies.

DS changed primary 5 times. Found moving to secondary and college a lot easier because of it. Definitely long term gain!

Go for it.

Your son will be fine but I'd be more concerned about moving from a place you love to somewhere 'souless'. Are there any other schooling options near you?
I'd sacrifice space for a location I loved.

At 6 I'd move him - kids are very adaptable at that age. We moved a year ago to a bigger house on the other side of town. As my eldest was 12, I left him in his current school. I do alot of driving across a busy town centre dropping and picking up. Had he been younger, I would have certainly moved him to make our lives easier