Relocation

[Lucy43D]

Hi guys, so my story goes like this I recently moved to UK with DS age 11, it was a shock move and didn't see it coming at all, wasn't sure if we were staying in uk or going back to Dublin, so decision was made in april last year we would be staying, so school was priority, as he was only 11 and in 5th class in Dublin that he would maybe go onto Yr 6 in uk, but no was told Yr 7 would be age appropriate..unless I found a school that had a loop as he is a summer baby they would consider having him in Yr 6, so I did, went against the grain and found a CofE school but his friends went so the move would be OK for him..however after him being there a week they assessed his work and said he'd be more suited in Yr 7 as holding him in Yr 6 would be detremental to his education. So high school it was and he aced it, on into Yr 8 this September and is flying but here's the nut crucher, we have to return to Dublin in the new and now I'm asking myself what do I do with DS, as academically he's doing better than expected so I don't want to pop him back in primary and make him lazy, so I was thinking pop him into 1st Yr.. as its just introduction into new subjects, secondary school life etc..any one been in this predicament? I myself had been in similar as a child and I'd moved up a Yr in uk and then again on returning to Ireland up another Yr.. but times have changed unfortunately. Tia

I'm not au fait with the education situation in Ireland, but, having a quick peruse, it looks as though the first year of secondary school is for 12 year olds.

Could you find an exceptionally good primary in the Dublin area and ask to enrol him in what I think is the 6th year? He would only be with them for 6 months. During that time, could you ask about extra tutoring in his best subjects, either through the school or privately?

It sounds to me as though slotting into the age appropriate year at primary and having extra tutoring could give him a flying start at secondary next year.

Is he exceptional in certain subjects?

PS I assume that he is 11 now and will turn 12 next summer.

He is 12 already, he had been in school in Ireland up until last Yr, home schooled during covid and excelled in all, so the jump from yr5 to Yr 7 was easy and also moving on to Yr 8, he's flying..First term assessment were better than either of us imagined, and took to exams stress free, just done second lot this week! In 6th back in Ireland at this stage would be mainly confirmation preparation which is why I feel it would knock him as regards school work, and also having homework and deadlines..primary that he used to go to don't give homework as many primary schools were trying to have homework abolished

What about looking at a school with Preps rather than 1st year, and then an easy move to 1st year? (Finances permitting of course)

I don't think we have preps in Ireland..do we? If it was I would look into it

If you are returning to Dublin in the New Year, Lucy, does that mean that you need to firm up a place in a new school there very quickly now? Re-reading your post, it does sound as though he will need to join his new school at the start of the January term.

Are you considering private schools too? I don't know the schools in Dublin, but I can see rankings for schools in Ireland and there seems to be some very good ones in Dublin itself.

First years are mostly 12 or 13, but most 12 year olds with summer birthdays (ie just turned 12 at the start of the school year) will still be in 6th all right.

Will it be hard for him to join 1st year in the New Year...just as they've settled in? Also, you need to check where you can get him a place asap!

If he goes back to 6th will it be to his old school and friends? Note that all applications and offers for next year's 1st year places have now been made (since Oct/Nov). So you'll need to see where you can get him in next year too if you do decide to go back to 6th for the moment.

As well as how he's getting on educationally, consider if he's ready socially and if he'll be with his peers. I think being the youngest in the class can impact negatively sometimes, but it very much depends on the person.

Yes that would be the plan, I have a school in mind, he was 12 in June, hence why he had to go into year 7 hear(1st back home in Ireland)in the uk last summer,and that was a mid year entry, infact they only had 1 term left so friend groups were well and truely formed (they go into high school here at 11, which I struggled with immensely,) but he went in and aced it, when we came back in September, he was a little apprehensive as it was into year 8( 2nd yr)but here they assess them every mid term so his October assessments again his flew them better then I'd imagined, A and B's across all subjects, hes loving the fact that he now has different subjects and way more sporting options and school teams to play for. Also here in uk he's in a school in the next town on from where we live so mixing with new people isn't a problem in his own words he prefers to have lots of friends in different places..as regards his old friends he does chat with them when playing fortnite but I think in a way he's kind of out grown them.

He sounds very able so that's great.
Is there a place for him in the school you have in mind though? Fingers crossed.

I'd have to give them a call I think 🤔, I was just looking for other parents opinions tbh, my older son was the youngest in his class since he started he sat his junior cert just before he turned 15, was a drama then because ty or transition Yr was never an option for him he'd have rather repeated 5th Yr but the school made him do ty and then he ended up dropping out in 5th Yr because the subjects he'd wanted and needed weren't given to him..where as if he'd have gone on into 5th Yr at 15 he'd have had his choices..anyways yeah in relation to youngest DS .. it is very much fingers crossed ..lol

OP, a very bright boy who has done 1 1/3 years in secondary is going to be bored rigid if you put him back in a primary setting. It’s not just the academic side of things - he will find the social life of the school a big step backwards too.

Thank you, that was a feeling I had myself, so I just thought I'd throw ot out there, and get other parents or and teachers opinions, and considering that when he came to the uk he was from an all Irish speaking school so my concern was not only was he jumping practically from 5th but that he may struggle with learning the likes of maths,science etc in English, now on going back to Dublin he will crave the opportunity to play for the side of school sporting teams, so thank you again "thanksithaspockets"life throws us mum's curve balls and all we want is what's best for our kids