Moving primary schools

[Summersummer21]

Mums I really need a bit of sound advice please.
my daughter attends a primary school that all of my family and I used to attend. She has family in the year above and in juniors. She will be going into year 1 in September and has been at the school nursery since 3. (Before that was in private nursery).
the problem is the school is in a different town that we live in. It is 4.2 miles in the car and can take from around 15 mins - 25 minutes I’d say.
the reason we put her here was in case I needed childcare from my family members since they already collect from the school.

however since my job has changed and I do all of the drop offs and pick ups. My son will be starting a school nursery next year and it makes sense for us to change our daughter school for September. There’s a school 12 mins from home walking distance. In 2023 their ofsted was rated good, I know prior to this they had to make some improvements. Me and DH have walked round the school with our DD and were happy with it. I’ve found a local group and asked for feedback from mums and again there’s no concerns.

the dilemma is I feel awful for moving her. She’s settled, has her own friendship group and gets to see her cousins. However I am thinking longer term for her being able to make friends more closer to home and to avoid the unnecessary travel.

im also thinking for trips to the library or swimming with school, I’d rather her be around our local area.

any advice or tips would be hugely appreciated!

I would move her. Children settle and make friends very quickly at this age. Is there time for her to do some settling in sessions before summer? It may help her enjoy the summer more if she is familiar with the new school rather than her worrying about starting somewhere new all summer.

I moved my DS in year 2 following a house move and, while it did take him a little while to settle, it was the best thing I ever did as we both made local friends (and I didn't have to spend half an hour in traffic every morning getting to the old school).

I would move her, it will be fine.

So many advantages to moving her.
She'll be fine.
She'll make lots of new friends, have a better quality of life if she's nearer to home and able to walk to school....and cousins and family will always be there anyway.

I moved my DCs about three weeks ago, and it was a fantastic decision! They have all settled in really well and made new friends and run on in really happily each morning! They are 5,6 and 7.
I will also add that we

If you want to move her I’m sure she’ll be fine as PP have said. But a 15-25 min trip to school sounds like nothing to me! Depends on what geography you are used to I guess

Sorry accidentally posted early!
I will also add that we moved to the local school on our village and that’s also made a huge impact, school run is a fraction of the time and they’ve made lovely friends in the village that they now play with outside of school!

@SummerInSun its not so much the travel that bothers me, but it’s more the area. I couldn’t wait to move out of there so I kind of thing it makes sense to move her completely out of that area. I’m also thinking about when she’s a little older and wants to play outside of school with her friends

At this age friendships are all about proximity- the kids she plays and sees day to day are her friends; I would switch schools as she’ll likely adapt quickly

Walking home is a massive benefit. I have done both, walked for years then moved for a secondary school which meant driving to the primary for my youngest. Hands down walking is better, friends to walk with and playdates are easier as they get older.

Anyone coming to me I drove them home otherwise most parents would not want to drive a 40 minute round trip to collect their child.

Your DD has only been in school for a year, it isn't like you are moving her in year 5. Definitely move her. She will make new friends.

@Doughlene thats amazing that they’re all adapting so quickly! Thank you for giving me hope

@MrWaldonsLeg thank you for sharing this - I definitely think walking there and back would be much better than being in the car!
I think I worry because she went to the school nursery and she has her little friendship group that has been formed for 2 years now so I feel awful!

Don't feel awful, look at the positive, she made friends so she can do it again and the younger they are the better. I put my children into a secondary school none of their friends went to. I took them away from the shitty feeder secondary where all of their friends went. They were 11, made friends that they still see and talk to now as adults.

I worked in a primary school, places become available because parents move, sometimes it is because of jobs, schools, divorce or being widowed. Children adapt, they are more resilient than you think. Feeling awful just means you care.

I would move. I teach this age and children settle really quickly and make new friends. It’s great to be able to walk to school and play out with school friends.

@hopspot this makes me feel reassured thank you. It’s because of how much the teachers also love her and are looking forward to having her brother next year. I feel guilty telling them!

@MargeryBargery thats so true!

I understand your quandary. I’m sure her new teachers will feel the same!

We moved ours mid year when they were nursery, year 1 and year 3. We’d moved house and, although the journey wasn’t long, by the time we’d done the school run, nursery pick up, after school collection and then after club collection it was totally exhausting and used loads of petrol! They adapted really quickly and had local friends as they became more independent. It was also easier for them to have friends round after school because we were walking rather than having to squeeze more into the car (don’t even think about the car seat situation!) The only time I wouldn’t have done it is if one of them was going into year 6 and destined to attend the same secondary as our local school…

I moved my two boys 10 and 7 this academic year. Locally as well, we didn’t move but things weren’t right. It’s been the best thing we did. Never once regretted it. The previous school is like a distant memory.

Move her.

She is so young she will make friends and forget about the old school altogether in no time at all.

You have years of primary school ahead of you.

Just make the move asap.
X

I would also agree with pp about moving. I moved two of mine and never looked back. Just make sure that she will be allowed a place before you burn any bridges. If they’re already at capacity you may be refused.