Changing Secondary School.

[Yakky]

DS1 is finding his new school difficultl so I am considering moving him to another local school where a lot of his primary school friends attend.
How do I go about this and how difficult/easy is it?

Is he year 7? It's pretty early days if he is.

Why did you choose this school?

Do you have strong reasons for preferring the other school, apart form that he is not happy where he is.

Lots of DC hate their first term. It's such a massive jump from primary.

I'd be a bit wary of moving him unless there are very strong reasons (bullying coupled with indifferent staff reaction to it; constant staff shortages and apparent apathy in staff leadership etc.)

It wouldn't do to give him the impression that every time you aren't happy you can walk away from something or somewhere. Better to work on making it a more positive experience, unless you know in your gut that it was a serious mistake and the other place is where he should be.

My DD1 is also hating her first term at secondary school and I did briefly think about moving her. I then talked about the issues with her form tutor and head of year 7. They are putting in place some very helpful strategies and I feel sure that this is the right school for my dd.

Have you tried talking to staff at your DS1's school? My DD1's teachers hadn't noticed anything amiss with her as she was putting in a brave face at school, but now that they are aware they are trying to help.

Hope you get this sorted, as I know how stressful it is.

I agree with the other posters that you should be wary about moving your son. However, if you do decide this is the best way forward you need to check with your LA. You may need to apply to them for an in-year transfer or you may need to apply direct to the preferred school. Whether or not a transfer will be possible depends on the availability of places at your preferred school. If they have a place available they must offer it to you. However, if they are full up all they can do is put your son on the waiting list. If that happens you will be able to appeal but finding his new school difficult after less than one term is unlikely to be strong enough grounds to get a place for your son.