My DD doesnt want to change her school! Is there any advantages for an a child to carry on in same school for senior?

[jiane]

Hi there,

We have 3 daughters and they all go to same girls only independent school. DD1 is in Senior side and DD2 and DD3 in junior side. Senior and junior side of school are in different building but they are so close to each other.

All my daughters loves their school and they are all doing amazing academically. But DD3 is so academic focus, she always been really well above avarage from all subjects.

My husband belives she deserves to be in more academic school. Because she is basically top of her class who loves all subjects. She is in year 2 now and she practice year 4 maths at home with her sister (DD2) and she manages to to do calculations. She reads like an adult and loves art, drama, sport and gymnastic. She is also so social - she loves her feiends and teachers and they do love her as well so that she doesnt want to move school. She now received few offers for 7+.

The new school is coed and 4 miles away from her current school - I need to think about the that because I will have 2 DDs in that school. At the moment I do drive for their school its only 1.5 miles away but if my DD3 moves to other school I will need to arrange transport for my older daughters (school bus) I don’t prefer them to travel on their own but the public transport because I feel they are still young especially my DD2 and also as I mentioned before their school buildings are not the same.

Do you think it is worth to change her school?

I spoke with her tutor last term and her tutor said if she continues like that she might even get a full bursary, scholarship from her current school for senior. She also mentioned that she see her a head girl of school in 10 years. This is not just because she is so academic she is also so good socially and talented in sport, art, drama and gymnastic. Well actually no-one can tell what will happen in 5-10 years but I just wanted to add for you to have an idea if I should move her etc…

May I learn if its has advantage for child to carry on in same school for senior?

I will so gratefully if you advise me what I should do?

Thank you.

Thanks all for sharing your ideas🌸
Her teacher mentioned about the “head girl” just because girls had assembly last term and made speech about the “what would you change or improve if you were head girl in school” and her teachers impressed about her ideas so that she said “I do believe she would love to be head girl in future and I can see her as a head girl because I see her passion”. she loves to represent her school in all competitions like chess, christmas card, creative writing or maths competitions and she loves taking role in school council etc.. she just love to involve in that kind of things.. and her teacher noticed that 🙏🏻

Keep her where she is, but start a re-think in Year 4 - so you can visit other schools' Open days. Your DH does have a point about being stretched but all the time she's happy and thriving she's better off where she is. By the time it's time for her to move into the senior section her sisters will be there so logistics become a little easier.

And please don't be sucked in by her current teacher who has a massive incentive to keep her at the current school.

Sounds like she is at a fantastic school at the moment where she is thriving. This is a common mistake people make. DC is happy, thriving and excelling academically, so they think she needs a 'better' school. No, you should be delighted she is doing so well at the school she is at and keep her there. Don't be surprised if you transfer her and suddenly all that hard work and exuberance goes down the pan!

I think it's a shame your daughter is being pigeonholed into a role at age 6/7.

I think this is a reason for not keeping her in the same school all the way up to 18, but agree with others there seems no reason to move her at 7.

I also thought that schools awarded bursaries on financial need and scholarships were very rarely a huge proportion of fees.

She's 7. As other posters have said she is the youngest of three so will appear older than her peers and her peers will likely catch up over the next few years.

Most kids are enthusiastic and want to represent their school when they're 7 - not so much when they're teens. Leave her be, she's thriving and doing well. Reassess when she is older.

You have won the lottery: a happy child who enjoys learning! I wouldn't dare to change anything. Happy children are more likely to learn and get good grades as they are motivated and can focus on their studies as they are not distracted by worries about not doing well/not fitting in. Your dd can only get As at A levels, and there are statistically about 25% of pupils who get As even at bog standard state 6forms, so there is little any school needs to do in form of 'stretching' them, as long as they are not positively negligent/bad in their teaching (I assume your school's ISC report is good or excellent). Even the most selective schools don't do anything I'm aware of that's different from good non-selective schools. Almost every private school has 'enrichment' seminars and will enter teams for Maths Challenge, Chemistry Olymiad etc, or for music festivals and grade examinations, and success in such events usually depends mostly on the extra effort the dc puts in at home, especially if it is a day school. Most all-through schools will also have an additional intake at 11, 13 and 16plus, often with scholarships attracting strong external candidates, so there should be some fresh blood and healthy competition along the way.

Sorry, no idea why some bits are in bold.

Why move a happy child in a very good school with her sisters. Going to the same school means shared memories, and is much easier logistically. Some children start and stay advanced, and others are later bloomers.

@jiane:If DD does not want to change her school why do you need to move her? If DD is happy and not bored I would assume she is stretched sufficiently at her current school.
Even 3 year old can sense whether they like the school they visit for play date or not. My DS did not like the popular academic boys prep he had assessment at.
There was another 3 year old boy who disliked that school so much that he refused to walk pass that school.
Now I think we were lucky that he did not get an offer. Because that school was our (parents) first choice and we would insist on DS going to that school.

In general girls schools are academically stronger, have better results than coed.
You did not name schools so it is difficult to compare.

I would not support PP arguments that she is just 7, try again when she is 11.
I am hoping to try 7+ exams at top schools with my DS, if he is ready to sit exams when he is 6. He is summer born so will just turn 6 when those exams will be held. Those schools are much better academically and in all other aspects than the small prep near our home where DS will start Reception.
Your DDs' school sound good enough to continue to senior school and avoid 11+ stress.