DS (11) in Y6, he's never had a "best friend", always seems to have rubbed along well enough with most boys in his year at school. This has always worked out well, and means that he has been to stay with several children a number of times, and we have had his friends here likewise, so I have not worried until recently about the lack of any one or two particularly strong bonds with friends.
Just this term though, he has stopped really talking about anyone at all at school. When I ask him who he played with at break etc, he just kind of avoids the answers. I asked him who he would like to see at half term and he said he isn't really bothered. I don't think he is being bullied, I would be very surprised at that, but his teacher did say that he moves himself in class to the desk in the corner to do his work. Which obviously is great for getting his work done (has 11+ in January, and he is knuckling down good and proper with his work), but I don't want him to withdraw into himself so much that he finds himself as a loner.
He has said to me once or twice this term that some of the boys are still being really silly in class, and I know he doesn't want to get drawn into that as school are quite tough on those who muck about and he does not want to be grouped in with the ones who get in trouble.
He is 11, I don't want to micro-manage his life as we are working hard to encourage independence before Senior School next year.
Just looking for some advice really to try and nip this in the bud. I know I can't force him to be mates with people, but if he genuinely doesn't really have any good friends any more then I would be a bit sad for him, and he is just so reluctant to talk about it.