Want to move schools, what do you say?

[user4564376534875487]

I would like to put my reception age daughter forward for a transfer to another local primary, which I suspect is currently over subscribed, so she may need to be added to a waiting list.
80% of the teachers and the headmaster at her current school are as we feared not great (my eldest child went all the way through the school, in which time there was a change of head and many staff changes, not for the better). Anyhow, teachers have a habit of knowing each other and I don't want to end up slating the school, so I need to couch dds potential move in a more positive light. One thing the new school has is mixed classes which I actually think would suit dd better, dd already knows some of the children there, so it wouldn't be a complete shock to her. DD is complex, she may have behavioural issues, we are waiting an assessment, however, this is not completely clear and I would like dd to start a new school with a bit of a clean slate as I suspect some of her issues are down to emotional intelligence delay.
The new school is far better at accommodating dd I believe (I have some knowledge of the the new school) and is far more homely, whereas the current school is quite rigid and likes to favour negative rewards. We didn't apply to the other school because of two things a) we believed they were oversubscribed anyway and b)I had just had a baby and hoped that our fears were mislaid and that we could walk to school (other school involves a car journey, I am willing to make).
Any advice please? I am sure the new head is going to want to know what has brought about the request. How would you couch this?

If the current school is as bad as you say then I suspect other parents will be leaving as well

You don’t need an excuse to leave ‘I feel the school is a better fit for DD’ is all that’s needed.

What they are really asking is ‘will she complain to the LA?’

I think a better fit, is a great thing to say, thanks. At least two other children that I know have left the school and gone to this school plus I know of others (at least 3) who have left and gone to independent schools, so it isn't just me. Kicking myself now for not trying in the first place. The current school has a good reputation but to be honest, it coasts off an ancient ofsted report (different head and many different teachers then), it looks glossy from the outside but the content isn't great would be how I would describe it.

I’ve worked in a bad school. I think parents are quite terrified of the alternative once their kids settles in.

Don’t be

I’ve moved DD once and wish I’d moved her sister as well. DS has a choice as his class was fine and good relationships - but even he said he’d wished he’d moved.

3 kids 3 different schools perfectly possible

I'm not sure my dd has settled in all that well unfortunately, she knows children at this other school so it wouldn't be a massive, massive change. I am focusing on dds potential happiness, confidence as well as academia. There is not just one issue where she currently is there are issues with her learning, behaviour though she is bright and as her teacher puts it capable of doing a lot more, bless her, she is extremely creative and imaginative but none of these positives were flagged up at a recent parents evening, so many negatives were put forward without any positive ways of supporting dd. I am requesting a private assessment for dd next week just to check there isn't anything else underlying but I've already filled out the forms for transfer, just doing a bit of background research on other school and then hoping for a miracle. Unfortunately, I think it will be reliant on a family changing circumstances i.e relocating for a new job and moving out of the area - there seemed to be a large year group in dds year. Stressed about this, I have two other children in the mix and I seemed to have drifted into my own little world of worry.