Split the year between 2 countries

[bananapants007]

Does anyone think it's possible for a family to live 6 months here and 6 months in NZ? For a number of years. We have an amazing opportunity but that's the deal. DDs in early primary in Scotland.

How old are the DC? We have managed 6 months in preschool here and 6 months in Asia this year and could probably make it work again next year, but I don't know how it would work with school places. I went to school in three different countries as a child but in chunks, 4 years in country 1, 2 years in country 2, 6 years in country 3 etc. I think I went to my cousin's school in Asia briefly as a child but more as following her around for the day, not a permanent pupil.

Friends homeschool on a boat for half the year and normal school in aus the other half. Works well, but at a private school

In Scotland, I think you just get a place in your catchment school, so probably re-enrolling in the same school each time might work. You'd need to find out if this would be an issue in NZ or not too.

There will be differences in approach, so you'd need to keep tabs on any confusion arising over eg maths topics being taught out of sequence etc, but as long as you were pro-active in helping them catch up when needed, I can't imagine there would be major issues while they were young primary age unless there was any underlying SEN. I don't think the system would be very workable at secondary age though.

Which months will be spent where? You will either end up with 2x long summer breaks or none. Educationally, none would almost certainly be better, but would you have a choice?

I have a close friend that did this. They split the school year between a US school and an international school in a South American country. My friend did it because she was desperate for a break from the SA country but her husband didn't want to relocate to the US. They had to stop this in high school as it was just too disruptive. I don't think she would recommend it and accepts that she did it for selfish reasons although she is happy that her kids has some experience living in her home country. How many years are you talking about? They did it for three.

Could you home educate? No experience personally, but it could be a solution?

I's use the school in whichever is going to be the long term country and home school in the other country I think.

I know several kids at my children’s primary school who have spent a few terms or even a year abroad and then come back into the school. They were in p2-6 so older than yours.

I think it’s quite doable as long as both schools are accomdating and your children are flexible and make friends easily.

And of course that your catchment school isn’t over subscribed.

Are you going to rent out your house for half the year ? Won’t that be quite tricky ?

Why home ed? Won’t it be easier for the kids to make new friends if they go to school in NZ?

It's a very different prospect to spend a few terms or a year in another country then return permanently to the one school than it is to plan to spend several years going back and forth.

We also had a French family who got permission to spend a term in France (not work related, they just felt like it.) The mother wanted to do this every year but the school said they wouldn't allow it/hold her place open. This may not be relevant for you as it seems like the Scottish system may not be as crazy as parts of Greater London where it's very possible your kids wouldn't be going back to the same school year after year.

OP - I think there are expat boards out there where you can possibly get advice from people with more direct experience of your situation. Have you also tried the Living Overseas board here?

Hi I'm a teacher and I have known famillies do this (One, England and NZ where Dad was a Rugby coach springs to mind) I think the problem would be spaces at the uk school when you get back. Would be ok if they weren't full but I don't think it is possible to keep spaces open just in case. Might be different in Scotland.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and support. I wouldn't home school as I'd want them to meet people and I'm not that clever! I think it might be possible to do 2 terms in Scotland and one term abroad and still return to our at home school. They are not over subscribed. Perhaps the DC and I can come back early so they are only missing one term here. At least for the next few years. I guess I better speak to the school and school board! Lots to think about. Thanks again.

Yes Katycb it's a similar situation. I'd be glad to hear any more reflections on this. X

Friends who are ski instructors did this for a few years for their boys alternating between France and Scotland (near Aviemore). They only had to "choose" in the end because the French schools started to get a bit stroppy about it (age 8-ish). I think they were doing August - October and May & June in Scotland and November to April in France.

The other thing to think about alternating between NZ and Scotland is to work out when your kids holidays will be - as the long summer holiday in NZ will be over Christmas into the New Year and July/half of August in Scotland.

I think you need to look at the logistics. Scotland has their long holiday in June, July? Whereas New Zealand's falls in December so depending where you are at the time needs to be considered. You also need to look at starting ages and possible curriculum coverage differences. I'm sure it will be possible but a number of factors to consider. Good luck!

My friends do this between England and France as a lifestyle choice. Their daughter has suffered. It was fine when she was younger at nursery and the first few years of school. Now she’s in Y2 and her UK school have said there will not be a place for her on return (an independent school) if they do it again this year. Her French is amazing but the difference in curriculums means she is constantly playing catch up.

Knowing nothing about the similarities between the NZ and UK curriculums it could be a very different situation.