Mid-year transfer from Germany (primary & secondary)

[randafifi]

Hello Mums, my husband should move to Liverpool in October, and we're to follow in a month or two. We currently live in Germany, and I'm not sure when is the best time to move. I also don't know what is required for a transfer, I'm especially worried since the city council's website says processing time takes at least 20 days. Of course we can't afford to rent 2 homes, so that's almost a month (may be more) with no schools - if a proof of address other than a lease is required. If anyone has any information about this, or can give any advise, Id really appreciate it.

You can apply from abroad but it may only get considered once the children are in the UK. A council tax bill may be requested as evidence of address. If you moved in October there will be a half term break towards the end of a week or more.

Are you Forces by any chance? Different rules apply if you are.

@LIZS I guess it would be better if we started the process in November, they would continue attending school here, and I'd get a chance to help them catch up with the British curriculum during the winter break. Quick question, I would have a council tax bill a month after I start my rent, is that right? Thanks!

@SnowsInWater nope, regular rules apply for us. :)

Council tax bill arrives very quickly once you have notified them.

I would personally move as soon as possible - it will not do them any harm to be out of school for a little bit. You can use the time to help them acclimatise to life in England.
The really important aspect is how old is your secondary age child? Which school year will they be going into? If it is year 7 or 8 then there is no problem, but if it is year 9 you need to be aware that some schools start their GCSE curriculum in year 9, and those that don't choose their "options" in January or February.
If year 10 then move as soon as you possibly can and do everything to get them into school ASAP.
And if year 11 - you have serious problems.

Dont worry about schools. Move when is right for your family, and let the school fit that criteria.
We have just done an international move with primary schools. It isnt worth paying double rent for - and besides, they are bothered about when the kids are in the country. Your husband being here on his own isnt particularly helpful for school places.

You may be lucky with asking the admissions team where current spaces are close to moving date to try and get accomadation in an area with close-ish spaces for you. Remember spaces can be taken and new ones open up!

Once offered a place, we needed the kids in school within 3 weeks, or they could withdraw them. For us, the process was very straight forward, and quick. But a school nearby had spaces, which I'm sure made things smoother.

My daughter would be going to year 8 (that's 7th grade in Germany), so we should be fine -I hope.
We're hoping to find accommodation close to Broadgreen, that's where my husband will work, so may be Childwall. We tried scheduling house viewings over the weekend when he could fly to Liverpool, but it wasn't very good planning :D
I guess I need to calm down a bit till October and start my search for both schools and accommodation then. I might also be there for a visit so that could help with everything.
Thank you all so much, my anxiety is already getting better :)

Did you realise the school year starts in September? I just wondered because you talk about catching up over Winter break ( only 2 weeks here).

Yes, school here starts a month earlier, and I'm assuming they study more or less the same things (they're more advanced in maths for instance but not in English of course). I've already found a few websites for them to practice and I'm using them to also catch up with whatever they're missing. If we'll arrive in November, and they'll have a month before being accepted at school, then we have the break in October (2 weeks here plus 1 week in the UK?), November and the winter break to catch up. Hopefully, by November I'll get a grip on school books and use those for faster revision before school starts. They're smart kids; I'm just super worried.

Don't be worried and don't try to cram them. As long as the eldest starts school before GCSEs they should be fine. Definitely don't cram the younger one. Try to adjust them to UK culture, reading more in English.

I'll do that. Thank you ❤️

Just adding on there are lots of museums in Liverpool which run workshops so if they are out of school for a little while there are definitely still things they can do to keep their learning up!