Should we move for secondary schools eventhough DD1 is only in year 1?

[threeisthemagicnumber]

Okay, I'll try to summarise my dillema.

DD1 of 3 is at our local school. It's great, we love it, very inspirational head but it's probably changing from a 60 - 90 intake which will cause a bit of disruption and make it a different school I think. We own a great house and could afford a bit more in that area in a few years, hopefully. The secondary is mediocre at best and has had problems with bullying in the (recent) past.

There is an outstanding secondary a few miles away. It's been outstanding for over a decade and we really like the ethos and feel of the school. There is no way that DCs would get in from where we are and even if they did it would be a nightmare getting across the city.

We could afford to rent a reasonable size house in the area with a good secondary, could never afford to buy. Not sure about the primaries but sure that we'd be happy with one of the 4 that would be in catchment for the secondary. If we move DD at the end of Year 1 we'd move in time to apply for DD2s place.

If we move just before we apply for DD1s secondary place then we would have at least four years of ferrying the younger ones to the old primary and DD1 wouldn't know as many people. If we move now though, we're probably committing to renting for a good few years and might not feel settled at all.

Sorry,this might not make any sense to anyone else but thoughts would be very much appreciated.

I wouldn't move in your situation yet. You don't need to move until year 5, especially as you will only be renting.
In the next few years, either school could change dramatically; especially if the head changes. Also there could even be a new school in your area. Additionally until you know your child better (educationally), and have looked at schools with them as an individual in mind you don't know which school would be better.
Never mind all the other things that could change in the next 4/5 years; job changes, need to relocate, being posted overseas and so on.

I agree with MummyTime.

A lot can change in 4 years. The schools can change totally, but so could your children / aspirations / expectations of them, and also your finances.

We've just chosen the secondary school for DS that when he was in Y1 we said he would never, ever, ever go to......

Thanks. You've pretty much confirmed what I have been thinking.

DH is totally a bit obsessed with this particular secondary and I don't really want to compromise everything on the basis that it might be the right thing to do ina few years time.

That said, my 3 children are so different I would be amazed if there was one school that would suit them all!

I agree-school can change dramatically.