to think that staying in the same school just because you can is not necessarily the best for our DC?

[thedollyridesout]

Is is so bad to for our DCs to change schools more often than is necessary (as dictated by the state or a house move)?

My DD is 8 and she is on her 3rd school. She appears to have coped admirably with the changes. We could in theory have left her in school number one.

I am interested to hear from others about the possible implications of such a course of action.

Is there a name for a serial school changer ?

Third move will be a natural end of stage move after two terms in state primary

I don't understand what you mean by this. Can you explain a bit more ?

Well it sounds like she's pretty well-adjusted (though it would be good to get her take on it all) and that you are making sure she gets to do plenty of activities out of school.

Sorry - have re-read thread and now understand it is move to middle school.

As you were....

My instinctive reaction (with no direct experience) would be a concern about the child's possible lack of choice in the matter, or, even if given the option, being really being unable to make an "informed" choice (being only a child).

Like lulumama implied, I would prize stability (assuming she was happy at her previous schools) over improved opportunity. It just strikes me that you could be forever searching for the "perfect" place, at the expense of her feeling really socially secure and settled.

That's just me though

She has been happy at her previous schools.

You are right of course about never finding the perfect place but if she had just been sent to the local primary school at the beginning she would not be the girl that she is today.

It was obvious when I picked both DC up from school this afternoon that they had enjoyed their day very much.

She has decided to take up ballet again after doing it for a year aged 5. It was lovely to see her (through a crack in the door) just getting on and joining in with the other children, some of whom were older and very good. She was not intimidated nor was she over confident. I was very proud of her .

I suppose what I am saying is that I think I am doing the right thing and I hope I am not missing any signs to the contrary.

Thank you for all your stories.

I didn't mean to imply your dd was the type of child who would fall out with everyone thedolly - more musing that maybe changing school would be a good thing for a child like that, as I've always believed the recieved wisdom that too many schools is 'a bad thing'. Good that she seems to be taking it well though - that's the main thing - not how it works out generally, but how it works for your child.

Well, I don;t expect boy changing unless we move as the next nearest school is 5 miles away and I don't plan on him cycling 10 miles a day at primary age.

fiveisanawfullybignumber, snap - I did 11 schools too! I feel a bit more normal to know I am not the only person in the world who did that

I did move flats a lot in my late teens/early twenties. But then bought a house that I intend to be carried out of in a coffin many years from now. DD was born here and I LOVE that DD and DS will have the stability I never had. DS has a friend that he has known all his life (they were born 16 hours apart) and DD has a similar friendship. Hopefully they will both go to the same schools together (I have two DBs and we were rarely at school together).

I know parents have to do what they think is best for their DC and in a lot of ways my parents didn't have that much choice - my mother died, father remarried, father changed career, they did what was right on each occasion to deal with things, but it seems like it all added up wrong for me personally.

Good to know i've made you feel better about it FimbleHobbs.
Unfortunately I don't think the OP, judging by her other threads is actually going to listen to any negatives, think she just wants to hear reassurance that what she's doing is ok.
the perfect school can never be found, every school has it's issues, it's down to the parents to help DC as much as they can as well. And stability is a major factor there. I hated being the new girl, continualy knocked my confidence.

I went to five different primary schools and this was all due to house and country moves. I LOVED it! OK, it was always awkward on the first day when the teacher introduced me and the whole class stared, but after that, no worries!

I think it would have been a different story altogether had I been moved around a lot during secondary school. I think it's much harder (especially for girls) to form friendships as easily once secondary school has started due to the social groups already being formed (actually prob. ok 'til about 14-15, after that it's a big no)

dd has been in 7 schools and hates it.

Of course I am listening to the negatives. There is just not an awful lot I can do about it now for DD. However I do have a DS2 who has yet to start school.

I have said that I think my DC seem OK with the moves to date and I hope that I am not missing any telltale signs that they are not.

The next move for DD will be the hardest by far. She is struggling with the idea of attending a RC school but is prepared to keep an open mind - I think.

As it is we have no idea where she will end up but it is certainly interesting/educational discussing the alternatives.

for goodness sake, being in an RC school is nothing! She will get christian values, and a bit more god talk than in a secular school, thats all.

Try being dropped into a Bavarian school the year before the 11+...