Bad time to change schools?

[Terribletiming]

Currently considering moving DD1 from her current school to another local Prep, would be starting yr 4. No decisions made yet, but not sure it’s great timing. Lots of things to think about but my biggest worry is not knowing whether they will even all go back in September, then we’re stuck with remote learning from a new school. Cant decide whether to take the opportunity or if it’s just terrible timing. Just need to gather my thoughts.

We are in the same boat and are moving our child. I don’t see the point paying for her to be in a a school that we aren’t happy with and she will still see her friends in the park etc, so will have some socialising. I agree it’s not an ideal time but I don’t want to keep her at current prep for another year when we are unhappy with her progress there

If school don't go back in September then teachers at the new school will have to set work for a child who they know nothing about, how will that help academically?

sleepydragons isnt this the situation that all secondaries will find themselves in with their year 7s??? Moving into a year which is not a usual transition point, you will be treated more individually I think. Far better that for OPs child than to be linked to a school you are not happy with?

We haven’t given notice to the current school so would have to pay for both next term and then possibly only for remote learning. DD learns quickly so not worried about what kind of work is set as long as it’s decent. But if we don’t move her the opportunity may not be available at a later date. Current school having a bit of an uncertain time and we’ve had a few worries over the last few years but stuck with it. Now having 6 months away from it feels like a good time to make a break from it but so unsure what we would be swapping into. My head is all over the place.

We've just moved our DS and it's worked out really well. New school are far better at handling remote work learning vs old school which sent nothing!

@Changemyname18

sleepydragons isnt this the situation that all secondaries will find themselves in with their year 7s??? Moving into a year which is not a usual transition point, you will be treated more individually I think. Far better that for OPs child than to be linked to a school you are not happy with?

The OP's child isn't in year 6 going into 7 though are they? Given that, the situation with other children in year 7 isn't relevant to the OP's post is it?

As you have to pay for next term at the current school could you give notice and get home learning/school for 1 term at the current school but say to the new school you'd like to move there after Christmas when she'd be more likely to be full time? That way you'd only have one set of fees.

Terribletiming it depends on the schools, can you share which one? Do you know any parents at the new school?

I really think most private schools will be back if they are allowed in September. What's the reason for your move?

Agree why would you like to move her are you really unhappy with your current one? Is your daughter not making good progress? Is she not happy there? Or is it just because the other school has better academical results

Not sure the exact schools are relevant. We have been unhappy with one and the other appears to offer what we are looking for. DD has been to the potential school for sports matches etc. but we don't know any other parents or pupils at the school. I’m encouraged by the positive posts above, and agree that DD might get a more individualised transition due to the current circumstances and the fact that she’ll be the only one joining.

Just to add, I’m not worried about moving schools, it’s the timing of it and the uncertainty of what schooling will look like in September that causes me to question it.

Did you ask the new school what they are planning to do in September? Are some year groups already back there at the present? This might give you an indication of what is going to happen in september?

I asked our new school to send me the online time table so I could see what they have been doing remotely. Likewise , ask the question how will they help her transition to the new school. Our DD is moving and it’s a through school, ie move her now and she won’t be moving again until after GCSE’s, so for us it’s worth it

And just to add, our new school told me they don’t think that all year groups will be back in September and it will be a phased reintroduction

We are doing exactly the same thing with our two. One moving into Y7 and one into Y4. Agonised over the decision for the same reasons, and we are worried about potential part-time school or whatever in September. In the end however we decided that the long-term gain of them having a place in a school much better suited to them was worth short-term potential weirdness. We reasoned that September (however it pans out) will feel strange and new for ALL pupils, not just the new ones.

If school don't go back in September then teachers at the new school will have to set work for a child who they know nothing about, how will that help academically?

This is our situation as DD has no place (moved from abroad just before lockdown). Have no way of comparing schools across know no-one with DC of her age locally and LA not even giving me info on what any of them are doing re setting work.

True. Everyone is going to find it strange in September and might allow for a more gentle introduction to the school as unlikely they will be able to swap locations and classrooms as freely as before. This is all so helpful, thank you.