Child wants to move school

[Lettyx1]

My son is in Y8 and wants to move school. Nearly all of his friends from primary went to a different school and he is struggling to develop friendships where he is. He’s lonely.
The school he wants to go to, although not too far from us (10 min drive) would be potentially tricky to get to. He is not entitled to a place on the school bus as there is a school closer to us. IF he got a concessionary seat, that could, in theory be taken from him at any time if there was a child that is entitled to it. There is no public transport that goes anywhere near it. Currently he is in a school to which he travels by public transport (again, not entitled to school bus as it isn’t our catchment school which within walking distance).
Whilst it’s not impossible to get him to his preferred school (if he got a place) it could be difficult insofar as my journey to work would be more complicated and longer which might mean I don’t get to work on time.
My OH runs his own business and could help with getting him to school but is very reluctant to letting him move schools (the one he’s in is “outstanding”
which is a different debate so let’s not go there.
He’s doing ok academically and isn’t asking all of the time but I just know that he’s not happy where he is. I just don’t know what to do for the best.

Is your OH his dad?

Can you pay for a non-concessionary seat on the bus?

Would he consider the walking distance school?

How likely is he to get a place where he wants to go? What's the waiting list like and when do they start gcse options etc?

I always say you get one childhood.

I think if I was you I would start by contacting the school he wants to go to and see if they have a place. If they don't then he can't go there.

If they do, well that is something to discuss with your OH.

You need to know whether and where there are spaces in other schools in his year group. You could go on waiting lists for an in year transfer, but they may, or may not move, depending on other people with higher priority.

If there are spaces, then work out the logistics and the costs. I second doing it this year if possible. Some schools start GCSE in year 9 and even, if not, it gives him time to settle.

No transportation?
He can't walk? No public transportation? He can't be guranteed to use the school bus?

It would be a no from us.

I would always be open to discussing an unhappy child moving. Does he understand that his old friends will have their own groups there by now and he might not just slot in easily? Can he cycle there if the bus isn't an option?

I was the unhappy child with friendship issues at the start of secondary. My parents agreed i could change school in year 8, but I never did. I think just having the option to made me realise I could escape if I really needed.

Is there a place where he wants to go, and spaces in the appropriate sets?

could he cycle there?

Does he know that his primary friends are likely to have made new friends and might not be thrilled to have him expecting to tag along with them?

It’s not just as easy as wanting to swap and it all falling into place.

Try to move him x

If it’s only a 10 min drive couldn’t he walk? Or at least walk home if you and DH can take him in the mornings.
I think it’s very important that they’re happy in school, it must be so miserable to have no friends. I also think happy kids do better at school so being somewhere “outstanding” isn’t the be all and end all

Depending on speed, a 10 minute drive could be 3-4 miles. So not walkable probably.

I would worry about primary friends having found new friends. Is he certain these dc are still his friends? A big mistake to move if they’ve moved on.

A 10 minute drive isn’t much. I’d facilitate that - check out after school care. Id also wonder why he doesn’t have friends? You should facilitate him meeting up with other dc - he must talk to someone?