bullying has stopped but should I move him to a new school

[atah]

I have been toying with moving my DS to a new school for the past 2 terms, its a difficult decision because he worked so hard to pass the 7+ into one of the best schools in the area and although he is unhappy I think he feels a failure if he leaves.
He is almost 9 (year 4) and had a terrible 1st year at his new prep last year, he was bullied mercilessly by 3 boys. After a year of trying to find out was going on and reporting to the ineffectual teacher, I went to the head at the beginning of year 4. he stamped it out immediately and although these boys aren't very nice to him still, he isn't really bullied. the problem is that having been "the victim" for so long has given him such a bad rep in the school that he is ignored, avoided and left out by most of the kids.
He has lost a lot of confidence, most of his spark and his social skills are appalling (tbh I am having difficulty working out if the social skills or lack of are a result of the bullying or the cause of it IYKWIM).
We could move him from September this year - year 5, but am worried about how he would integrate as the new kid in a school where they have all been together since reception. This is a bigger worry given the difficulty he has in making new friends, the past 2 years have been peppered with issues and incidents around friendships and bullying, outside of school too recently. DH puts everything down to the bullying, but I'm not sure, if there is something about him that attracts negative attention from other kids, he just doesn't seem to be able to let go and just play.
Sorry its so long but i just wanted to know how difficult it is to settle into a new school especially if you already have "social issues"

Sounds a bit like my DD13. She has been bullied again recently but with the schools help it has stopped. Like you though I suspect she is not entirely 'innocent' in the matter, in her case she can be stubborn and argumentative at times. So by moving schools you could be just moving the problem.

What can sometimes work is getting your DS involved in activities outside school where he mixes with other children, like a sports team or Scouts. It could help build up his confidence which would hopefully translate back to school.

You hit the nail on the head - "moving schools could be moving the problem".
I know he needs to do more outside of school but since the bullying he has given up everything as he has lost confidence. My DS can also be stibborn and argumentative although he desperately wants to do anything necessary to be accepted, i feel helpless sometimes.........

My son was bullied for a couple of years and it is horrible. Took him a long time to let those feelings go after the bullying lessened. I think making friends helped his confidence. Encourage your son to invite class mates home. My son does like scouts too.

thanks tghrmum. I invite his 2 freiends home regularly, the trouble is he doesn't seem to be able to make any new friends as perhaps he is viewed badly by the rest of the class since being bullied, how can he overcome that stigma?