Anyone moved or lived in Germany?

[Naz12345]

I need to make a big decision soon. Hubby, myself and our 4 year old and 1 year old need to move from Switzerland to UK (near my family)or Germany (his family). How do the British and German education systems compare? What would you do? I'm a math teacher with terrible German so just feel I wouldn't be able to support their learning but I'm willing to learn. House prices seem better in Germany and we could afford something nicer as I feel in UK the good schools always drive up the house prices in nearby areas. We are looking north west London or nearby versus Hamburg.

It's easier to move with German Abitur to UK universities than with A levels to German unis. German Abitur is much harder though, think IB on steroids.Hamburg is beautiful. Free Grammar Schools for everyone and free university, and larger economy/better paid jobs/better health care/free nurseries - pretty much better everything, so if your dc speak German, Germany would be a no brainer. The Abitur and the Swiss Matura are very similar, so if your dc are already in the Swiss school system, then the German education system is more similar to Switzerland than the UK.

I grew up in Germany (Saarland) and now live in the UK (Kent), with one child in Year 1. Not sure I can provide a comprehensive comparison but will try to answer specific questions. I like Hamburg - lots of culture, feels quite dynamic. Am more familiar with the Hannover area though.

As you have a 1year old, they will receive free nursery care, as would the 4 year old, as school in Germany only starts at age 6. Then it's primary school for 4 years. At end of year 4, you'll get a recommendation which school they can/should attend. Grammar or 'Real'. Usually, a B average is required for Grammar schools. In Niedersachsen, parents can override this recommendation. Not sure about Hamburg. But there is still the possibility to move on to Sekundarstufe II (6 form) from a Realschule with a B average at end of year 10. There are no GCSEs!!! You'll have to keep all!! subjects though until end of year13. You'll take final exams in 4 subjects (incl. maths (equivalent of Leistungskurs maths is Math plus Further maths) and 1 language) and are continously assessed in the other 9, incl. PE and art or music. So getting the equivalent to straight Astar/A A levels is much harder if you are not an all rounder, incl. being at national level at sports, but entrance requirements at German unis are much lower, and of course, there are no tuition fees. Hamburg itself is pretty expensive, especially the nice areas, I would expect the 'posh areas' like Blankenese, Aussenalster ufer etc to be not too different from Kensington/Chelsea type of prices, but house prices become much, much more affordable if you are prepared to commute and move into the 'Umland', and regional trains are very cheap.

Have a look at the Hamburg forums here for insight to English speaking expat life:
www.toytowngermany.com/forum/forum/92-hamburg/

I moved to Germany from the UK when my kids were 2 & 4m. Best decision I ever made.

I assume you´re in a German-speaking part of Switzerland and your kids understand German? My German is passable but kids (now 5 & 7) are completely fluent. My eldest just started 1er Klasse and whilst I can help with homework at the moment, it does occur to me that as they get older I may be less help.

The schools are much more equal here - you don´t really have the whole good school/bad school thing, and at Primary you kid is guaranteed a spot in the local school which - unless you´re v rural - will be walking distance as the norm is for them to walk to school alone at 6yo.

I used to pay 1500/month for nursery for 1 kid in the UK. Here I was paying 400 Eur for 2 b(it is cheap but not free everywhere - don´t know about Hamburg). And afterschool/holiday care too. School ends at lunchtime but my kid goes to "Kernzeit" which is open til 17h where they get a hot meal, homework help and then playtime. We just got a letter asking if we want full-time Kernzeit in the Easter holidays: 7am - 5pm for 38 Eur a week.

There are times when it is hard for us (both parents non-Germans) but my kids have far more opportunity here than they would back in the UK,