When to move school?

[Jourdain11]

This isn't really an AIBU so much as an inability to make a decision! We are moving to a different part of London in early May (mainly so as to be able to have more space and a garden, but we are renting before looking to buy in the same area). Unfortunately it is too far - although only just - for the kids to be able to continue at their current primary school. If they were all in the upper years, we might consider it (the younger two, particularly, don't want to change school!!) but they are Year 4, 3 and 1. And ultimately, we think it will be nice for them to be in a school with friends in the area where they will be living.

The issue is: we can't decide whether to try for a school move at summer half-term or to continue at the current school till the end of the school year and move them in September. On the plus side, this would allow them to finish the year with their friends and start new in school when everyone else is moving into a new class also. On the other hand, DD2 and DS are not exactly shy and would probably quite enjoy the excitement of starting mid-term. Plus, it would also give them a chance to settle in and make friends locally before the long hols.

To add a further level of difficulty, DD1 is currently in the process of being statemented (as she has been diagnosed with a neuropsychiatric disorder, which I won't bore you by going into detail about). When she's in a good phase, she is happy and calm, can work to a high level and only needs minor considerations. When she is not well, she basically can't function in class without support and she really suffers (physical and verbal tics, OCD-type symptoms, sensory overload and meltdowns and losing bladder control...). It is obviously also a challenge for the teachers and I'm basically concerned about finding the right support and getting her thr level of support she needs.

DH is leaning towards school move in May - I am undecided completely! So I would be very grateful for any thoughts, especially if anyone has had a similar situation.

(Btw, I know asking the children might seem obvious - but since DD2 and DS just say they don't want to move school ever, it's not necessarily going to provide an answer!)

Sorry that this is a bit waffley, btw!

Have you looked into waiting lists at the school you are hoping to move them to? You may have to move them one at a time as a space becomes available in the year group you need. Hopefully not, but you definitely need to check.

We have looked at a few options, but certainly one of the schools (which is a big, four-form entry) would be able to accommodate them all this term.

I'm also worried that we might have more difficulty to get places for all 3 at the same school in September, although I'm not sure if that's likely to be the case!

What I'm desperate to avoid is multiple moves, i.e. all three leave school A, DD1 and DS go to school B but DD2 has to go to school C because school B doesn't have a place for her, then gets a place in school B in October and moves again...

I feel like we're slightly evil parents for making our kids leave the school they really like. But realistically the commute would be impractical and it would make daily life a nightmare!

We moved to a new area in April 1999, a few weeks before I turned 9. My parents decided to start me at the new school then so that I could make friends before the summer holidays. I’m glad they did that as it gave me a chance to settle and meet people.

Do not move child until you have a statement. You need to talk to educational psychology and potential schools to see if they can meet her needs. Schools can refuse to take statemented child if they feel they cant meet their needs

If there's a school with places for all of them now, I think that's your answer - grab it with both hands! I would not assume that you will get a place for all three offered again - particularly as lots of people do move over the summer.

How often is dd unwell? Have you been advised to look at specialist provision?

Have you checked that the school that has places will accept dd1 with her statement?

I would wait until DD1 has her statement otherwise you will have to join the waiting list at the new school and they will need to collect evidence.

You will need an ehcp not statement. Its a completely seperate admissions process so look at her admission differently to the other two

I'd move in summer..more relaxed, playing outside, just seems better socially for making new friends. Plus who knows if we won't get lockdown again in the wetter autumn after Sept, even if unlikely. This summer playdates are restarting hopefully, so now who be ideal time to get in on those - seems to be en mass gatherings in the park after school, rather than at individual houses, which i think is better actually, but might not be happening in sept-oct is rainy

Thanks for the advice and thoughts! My feeling is certainly that the younger two would be better moving in May - although they are reluctant, they're both gregarious and I think they'll settle in quickly. It would be nice for them to hopefully make friends in the local area and to be settled into a new school before the summer break.

I've also been thinking about the issue with DD1's statement (a lot) but nothing seems to be happening - I am guessing there are delays and backlog because of Covid, etc. etc. The school that has offered places to all 3 has apparently very good and extensive SEN provision and in our discussion they said they would be able to accept her with her statement but obviously there are limits to what provision they can make available when she doesn't have it. Current school are querying if mainstream can meet her needs, but we feel like it's soon to be going down that route. When she is well, she is academically and socially able to participate well in class. Unfortunately at the moment, she's unwell probably about 2/3 of the time and it's difficult to say how things will progress...

I wouldn't move schools mid EHCP assessment tbh.

Yep, I mean EHCP (but the school SENCo keeps referring to "statement" so I've got the old term embedded in my mind!). At the moment she has no ECHP but receives school SEN Support.

My automatic feeling is that it seems stupid and harmful to move her before the assessment is completed... but then, my concern is also that it seems to be going nowhere quickly and I am stressed that delaying the school move may be something we come to regret.

The current school are not incredibly supportive and I understand that her difficulties and behaviours are challenging in a classroom and stressful for the teaching staff, but I can't help feeling that in a school that was more pastorally-focussed she might be happier...

I am going to be brutal here - do not assume that moving your dd to another mainstream school will be the answer here. It is likely that if you are moving LEA, you might have to reapply to that LEA and the new school are likely to say they can't give much info as they don't know her well enough. It is also likely that any problems will be put down to the move initially. Have you checked out the options for specialist schools in case they are required? I would probably try and wait for and push for the statement. Check that the statement would be portable ie accepted by the new LEA. Of course if the education dept is the same one, ignore the above.

Because of the infant class size regulations getting a place for DS is likely to be hardest.

If DD1 needs more support than the school can provide whilst going through the EHCP process the school can apply for high needs top up funding.

When did you submit a request for an EHC needs assessment? The timescales are set in law - 20 weeks from start to finish unless you need to appeal. The covid relaxations ended last year.

If you move LA before the EHCP is finalised the new LA have to decide whether they are going to carry out a needs assessment, you could find yourself back at the beginning. This would apply even if you kept DD1 in her current school. There's no waiting list for an EHCNA though and you don't have to wait for the new school to collect evidence.

If DD1's EHCP has been finalised by the time you move LA the new borough will take over maintaining it, they will hold a review and potentially amend or even cease to maintain. With an EHCP being full isn't enough of a reason on its own to refuse admission, and there are only 3 reasons the LA can refuse to name your preference.

When did you submit a request for an EHC needs assessment? The timescales are set in law - 20 weeks from start to finish unless you need to appeal. The covid relaxations ended last year.
Interesting - 18 weeks (assuming that only term time weeks count), but they had given us the impression that the Covid relaxations were still in place! So there would, I guess, be a good case to push for it to be complete during the next month or so?

And my understanding is that it would then be reviewed by the new LA (as we will be in a different borough) who decide whether to amend/maintain it?

We have already seen that the school place for DS is likely to be most difficult, but the school I mentioned before say they currently have spaces in 3 of the 4 Y1 classes.

It is not just term time weeks that count. There are a couple of exceptions (e.g. you have been out of the area for 4 weeks, missed appointments) Has DD had EP/OT etc. assessments? And have you received a draft? How quick you can push on now depends on how far you have gotten. Did you apply or school? If school, are you certain they actually submitted an EHCNA request?

I suggest you complain to the LA in writing. Inform them they are in breach of their statutory duties and you they act you will be forced to begin Judicial Review proceedings.

Have a look at IPSEA and SOSSEN's websites, they both have advice lines too and the SN sections on here are helpful, if quiet.

Yes, if you move with a finalised EHCP the new LA must hold a review within 3 months of transfer or 12 months of the last annual review (or in this case 12 months since the EHCP was issued) whichever is later. As a result of the review the plan may be amended or even ceased.

I agree with Cansu, don't assume another MS will work. I regret letting mainstream continue for as long as I did with DS1. Being academically able is of little use when you can't function in everyday life.

Also, how mobile is the local population? Is the school likely to fill the Y1 places by the time you move?

Thank you so much for this, it is really helpful! It was the school who submitted and we got a confirmation that this had been done, but I will definitely write to the LA... and will also look up info and advice from the organisations you have advised.

I'm not totally sure how mobile the population is in the area we are moving to, but I imagine less so than where we are currently. I'm not sure what the situation is likely to be in terms of September places - apparently one of the Y1 classes is really quite low on numbers, like around 24 or 25, but obviously things can change.

I have had questions in my mind about mainstream going forward with DD, but it is a bit of an odd situation, as this condition developed very suddenly and prior to that she had no problems at all. We cannot really know what the prognosis is likely to be. She obviously finds school a big ordeal and, for instance, last week of term she had to stay off for the last few days because her tics were so debilitating and she was having a lot of other issues (not staying dry during the school day, having intrusive thoughts that there was poison in her food and refusing to eat, OCD rituals...). Obviously it's horrible for her and she's ultimately losing out on education, plus I don't doubt it is also problematic in the classroom. It is a tricky decision though.

Op, with a child having the challenges your dd has I would let that entirely guide the moving school decision.

I would think she will need substantial transition work in so far as this can be achieved with covid, which may mean covid testing etc in between. In normal times I would be suggesting a class visit, now maybe zoom with class and teacher if visit isn’t possible, visiting the school so she can see all relevant areas eg have seen school hall, dining hall etc, now video tour if this isn’t possible. Photo book would be great for her to look at in the holidays so she can familiarise. If you can be put in touch with families in the class to try to start some social stuff with other kids eg if theres a class Facebook group that would be great.

What would work for my own dd with challenges is moving in sept because she would find it incredibly unsettling to leave current school, short time in new school in one room with one teacher, whole summer off then start in sept with another teacher and another physical space and quite likely new rules. If you are even considering May you must check if they shuffle the classes in between the years because that would potentially be another huge cause of stress.

Woth your daughter being ill 2/3 of the time, I think it does sound like she will need a specialist placement. I'd be researching special schools and units asap.

Get in touch with NAS or one of the other charities mentioned. You need to keep pushing this echp. You dont want to be left in a situation of transferring her to new school so echp stalls then new school say they cannot cope and end up wih an illegal exclusion.

What we were considering (as far as anything can be planned in Covid times...) was asking for a gradual transition into new school, which was one reason why I actually thought that doing this over the latter half of the summer term might work well. That way she could have a more relaxed period of integration and she would know what to expect in terms of September.

I know it may seem like we've lost our minds to move with this going on anyway, but DD is actually one of the main reasons why we are moving. At the moment we are seriously short of space, in a top floor flat with no outside space and bad soundproofing. If DD1 is struggling, there's nowhere she can safely go and cool off, and likewise, there's nowhere the other two can get away for a bit. It has been challenging during lockdown. Once we move, we'll have a small garden and a very nearby large park, and more indoor space too!

@Jourdain11 I can totally see why moving would really benefit your dd.

I think you need to speak to someone on the helpline at a charity like contact a family to get some good advice around when to move. I think you will need to see what her ehcp recommends before you can decide whether this setting is capable of supporting her and work out what will be available for her eg does she need 1:1 etc. Or would specialist provision be better for her.

This is the number one question I think: what support does she need?

Then you will need to look at whether this setting or another can best provide it

Then decide when it’s best to move her