What would you do - expat school moves

[Stpancras]

Ok here goes.

We’re long term expats, gradually coming to accept that we’re likely to be where we are until the end of our children’s education.

Unlike lots of expats here, we don’t currently have any employer contribution to schooling.

We moved our 8 and 4 year old to a ‘new’ school last September as we were unhappy with the previous school for many reasons.

8 year old is thriving at the new school. LOVES IT. He was very upset and anxious about the move so this has been wonderful. 4 year old is very mixed about it and tbh I don’t think the foundation stage is that great overall.

All of a sudden, my husband’s employer has offered us a significant contribution to education, but only if we move the kids to a school owned by the firm. The financial difference is very significant (equates to about 50k gbp over three years).

BUT! Eldest boy is so so happy and I am utterly torn about this. He has made a very solid friendship group, very quickly. Unlike the last school, he has 100% attendance in in his first term and desparately tries to avoid sick days (an indication of how much he loves it, I think).

Wwyd?

This is really tough . We are also expats and my children have had multiple school moves . All have been good except for one which was absolutely disastrous and had me fearing for my DD’s welfare. We obviously moved her again but since then I haven’t assumed they will cope and my biggest factor now is are they happy and we have subsequently made career decisions based on not disrupting their education . I think you tend to take your children’s happiness for granted and it’s only when it goes wrong you appreciate how crucial it is and they can be at the best school in the world but if it is not a good fit it’s worth nothing. In your case I would leave them were they are (but only because I am emotionally scarred by how bad it got for DD when it went wrong). I also think your DS was reluctant with the first move but has settled really well , it seems cruel to reward this by taking him away and making him do it again somewhere else so soon

thank you everyone. So much thinking to do. Will update the thread once we decide.

That's assuming your eldest will want to go to university! I think he needs to be included in the decision also as ultimately it's going to affect him and his wellbeing, especially as he seems to be enjoying his current school so much!

Yes I think you’re right, he does need a say in it and we will make aure of that. He’a pretty academic but of course he might choose a different path to uni. Either way, a financial leg up into adulthood is a great thing.