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Education

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Original poster

Is this the most stupid prep school idea ever?

15 replies

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2008 22:22

Ds has had social problems at school, to the point where we had to find him a smaller school.

I doubt very much he will be happy at the large (1,200) cathment area school.

The good, small (600+) CofE secondry school down the road would probably be fine for him, but he isn't chirstened.

Would it be an insane to think of sending him to the local prep school for years 8&9?

OP posts:

TigerPants · 28/01/2008 22:26

You don't have to be christened to go to a C of E school.
At least, they never checked whether my DCs were.

LadyMuck · 28/01/2008 22:29

Do you mean years 7 and 8, or are you in Scotland and subject to a different system?

What would you do in Year 9? Ime those who are in prep school for years 7 and 8 do end up in independent schools therefter.

Original poster

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2008 22:29

They will check at this school - it's very popular. It's not a "catchement area school" but provided for children who's parents whish then to have a Christian Education - apparently.

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Original poster

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2008 22:30

Sorry I mean Years 7&8

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LadyMuck · 28/01/2008 22:33

So what about Year 9?

Original poster

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2008 22:34

By the time it came to year 9 he would be more able to cope with the travelling needed to get to a senior independant school.

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Original poster

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2008 22:35

And more able to cope with a larger school.

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brimfull · 28/01/2008 22:36

can't you just say he was christened and you've lost certificate.Doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Saying that I don't think it's a great idea to move a child so much esp if he's not settled well before.

Original poster

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2008 22:36

independent senior school - sorry I'm tired!

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LadyMuck · 28/01/2008 22:41

Is it only the travelling that would put you off sending him to the independent at 11? Have you checked as to what the school does regarding transport - many schools now have a comprehensive scool bus scheme?

I don't really know the nature of your son's social problems, but I guess that I would be reluctant to impose 2 changes on schools on him unless that it truly necessary. If the prep is a clear feeder for your preferred senior school, and the majority of boys would transfer, then it might be less of a problem.

Personally I happen to like the fact that prep schools go through to age 13. I think that this can be a better age to transfer especially for boys. And they get a couple of years of extra responsibilty in terms of beingf the oldest in the school etc. If they go to a day independent then they skip the experience of Year 7 & 8 where they are the smallest/youngest.

But in this instance I would be worried about the effect of 2 changes in a relatively short timeframe.

Original poster

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2008 22:47

The school I really want him to go to would be a 20 min car ride to catch a bus for a 30/45 min bus ride - to arrive at 8.30am.

It would then make more sence for him to weekly board, which I will never, ever let him do, until (possibly)6th from.

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LadyMuck · 28/01/2008 22:57

Well swimming practice starts at 7am at the dcs prep schools, with teachers usually on duty at 8 for at 8:15 start for those not in the swimming squad. So I would have expected an 11yo to manage the bus journey for 8:30. But really it is a call that only you can make. It does depend on how well he adjusts to change.

Original poster

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2008 23:20

Thanks Lady Muck. Ds doesn't cope with change atall well. It was just a mad idea I had today (deperately trying to postpone the inevitable move to senior school). I didn't even dare sugest it to DH.

OP posts:

PussinWellies · 29/01/2008 12:07

Does he have a statement?

If so, I think you can override the need for Christian upbringing and even christening, if you can show that this is the best school for him because it's the only one of an appropriately size.

If not, do you think his problems are severe enough to warrant trying for one? Sorry, don't know the background (social phobia? Asperger's?), but if you have already had to remove him from one school, it sounds like it's not a trivial matter. Good luck!

ElenyaTuesday · 29/01/2008 14:14

Lynette,
I missed this last night as dh was hogging the PC as usual. Your idea is exactly what I am doing with ds1 - I'm not too concerned about the two moves (even though he doesn't take change particularly well) as I'm hoping that a number of boys in the Prep school will move to the same Senior school as him and he won't mind the second move so much.

I think some boys just aren't ready for "big school" at 11 and my ds1 is one of them.

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