To move DD private school in year 10?

[Ratherberightthanhappy]

My DD13 flexi boards at a private country school we chose during Covid, so never got a chance to physically tour/meet kids or parents. I did a crazy amount of research on schools before we joined this one and we even moved out of London to facilitate this for her, so the whole thing has been a Big Deal for us.

She joined in year 7 and is currently in year 8. She is average academically and actually is getting on well with her work. The big issue is the kids. There is a much higher level of behavioural issues in the school than I would expect at a private school, that seems to stem from a large cohort of kids from exceptionally traumatic backgrounds that have ended up in care. Lots of stealing and bullying and behaviour I wouldn't expect to be tolerated. There are also a lot of kids who are there seemingly as a last resort because they couldn't make comprehensive school environment work due to additional needs.

DD hasn't really made any friends at the school and comes home saying she is very lonely. She feels very different to the other kids (she is) she isn't into social media and the other kids seem to spend their time filming themselves crying and lipsyncing for tiktok. She loves to board because her shared dorm gives her an illusion of a group of friends but in reality they are all members of different groups and she is not.

I've been badgering another school that we have visited and we have a tiny chance at getting her into in yr 9 and a bigger one in yr 10.

My question is, should I move her in year 10, and disrupt the first year of GCSE's? She's getting on well with her work. What if 13 year old girls are awful everywhere?!

Not looking for a judgement on fee-paying schools and yes obviously feel sorry for kids from difficult backgrounds but after going to a shitty comp myself I have worked my butt off to access better for my DD...

Lots joined dds school in year 10. Gcses don't start until then.

@Ratherberightthanhappy - do those 3 schools start their GCSEs in Year 10 formally and will they take account of her chosen options earlier? What stream would they put her in etc? Will they give you a place nowish or are you meant to just wait and see?
Does the school have to be local? If not, look for schools opening new boarding houses etc as they may not have filled their intake in the usual way.

Would you consider Blundells?

Look at a local state option or grammar . You can go to any state school if they have space or look at a local day school

If at all possible find another school with a year 9 place. I have been a teacher for more than 20 years and have noticed kids who move at year 10 tend to struggle so much more - it is a really tricky time to move socially plus GCSEs starting makes it stressful academically.

I know there are a couple of places in Year 9 my DD13 year as they had a couple move to a different country, there must me a place somewhere suitable.

They have also had joiners after Easter and Christmas.

You might have to expand your search circle, I drive 40 mins to DD school but she boards two nights and there is a coach service home so it works well.