Would you move your child to another school for Y3 just so they get into the secondary school ?

[scatterbrain]

Bit of a long story - to start with my dd (Y2) has been at her co-ed independent primary school since nursery - so this is her 4th year - she is fairly happy there - and I wasn't thinking of moving her - but then I started looking around at secondary schools !

Found a fab girls school fairly close by - and went to see it - OMG it is fantastic !! Anyway to cut a long story short - they have a prep school as well. Admission into the secondary is selective by exam - and very small numbers of places available - but if you are already in the school you go up without an exam !

Now - they have a place in Y3 for September which my dd can have - but years 4,5 and 6 are full up - and it looks like Y3 will soon be too - so in order to be sure she gets into the secondary (which has come out really well in the league tables) I am thinking of moving her in September.

Would you do it ?

Yes - she will cope with the move better now anyway as once they are older disturbing friendships is more difficult, I believe!

MOve at this stage so she can get used to the culture of the school anyhow

Thanks soapbox !! That's what I'm thinking - and there is a chance that one of her friends might go with her in September - so that would ease the transfer too.

I also think that the new school is much more HER - very crafty, textiley, drama, music etc - and less emphasis on the team sports - they do do sport of course but not to the extent that trhe current school does. Current school is very competitive - and poor sensitive dd has already not been picked for the gym team - and is still upset about it.

Bit of a sensitive little flower really - I think she might prefer the gentler touch that I think/hope the new school might have !

Thanks slalomsuki - cross posted there !

My daughter was in the same boat. Well basically i did not like the prep school she was in. As i had put her name down for 7+ for a public school i let her sit the exams i did not think she would pass but she did and i am so glad that i let her go. She to will have auomatic transfer to the secondary school it also goes on to 6th form. To be honest it puts your mind at rest. You do not have to start worrying about what school they are going to go to at secondary level. I would definetly go for it

Thanks shalom - that's very encouraging !!! Ours new school doesn't have a 6th form unfortunately - but that's a really long way off !! I couldn't believe how tall the 4th and 5th formers were - I am not short and they were towering over me !!

Oh dear - just as I have been assured that is the right thing to do - DH is wavering !! He thinks she will miss all her friends !!

But she can see them after school and at weekends can't she ?

Yes - move her now. By the time she's 11 she'll hardly remember she was ever at a different school. I moved from a state primary to a prep school in year 3 and have little to no memory of the school I was at first.

Kid are quite adaptable believe me she will make new friends quite easily. Most especially at that age. My husband was a bit quiet when we wanted to change but when people ask what school my daughter goes to he is always proud and he even refers people to me about how to get in to schools he says 'my wife knows all about schools'

Thanks again - I think dh just thinks I am a bit faddy and will soon go off the new school too - I'm not really - but I don't believe in sticking to something if it's not quite right !

We moved house when dd was in nursery so she did the first year of nursery at another school - and he sees this as her third school and she is only 7.

Am going to take her to see new school soon and also talk to her friend's mum and see what she is going to do. Hopefully dd will be OK with it - she does often say "can I go to that school ?" when we pass another school - so I think she is open to a change ! There are a few rather "pushy" kids in her year actually and she often says she wishes she didn't go to school with them !

She has a little network of out of school friends anyway - so we can add the current school friends to that list ! and she can make some nice new ones too !

Yes - she will make friends easily and still be able to see her old friends - sounds like a wonderful opportunity!

Go for it if it's the best for your dd. It's quite common for children to change school to start year three.

Thank you - just need to work on dh now and then face up to telling all the mummy friends.

Lots of ds' peer arrived in year 3 , seems a normal entry point. Do bear in mind policy can change though and while they may not have to pass an entrance exam as such they will definitely be assessed. Plus with the changes in charity status requirements you may find that entrance becoems more competitive into secondary as bursaries are introduced. Also don't expect the other kids to be any less "pushy" ! I'm sure you won't be the only parents with this in mind.

Yes do it, Y3 is a standard entry year, should be several new children. school sounds more suited to her, and avoids all the Y6 angst. Really can't see any reason why not to go for it.