Moving child from prep school at the end of y7

[Tonkavanilla]

DS is currently in y7 in prep school. He will move to senior school in y9. Now, so far, it looks like staying in the prep school doesn't suit us. Had no real problem (bar the odd misbehaviour) until now. Expectations have suddenly become draconian, with no warning. I knew y7 would be different but the school seems to be acting like we haven't been there for many years already and they're discovering our child. So things which weren't a problem before are a problem now, like homework not being impeccably presented or being a bit distracted in class. It all seems very petty to me so I don't like it much.
Has anyone with a 13+ place asked their senior school if they had space in y8 and changed school in September of y8? What was your experience? Thanks

It’s worth a try and asking their policies for this type of thing. From experience though all schools tend to be very strict in year 7 as it’s a huge milestone for the kids and they want to set expectations and nip this sort of thing in the bud before hormones and puberty kick in.

I totally get what you’re saying and look at alternatives by all means but it may well be a case of better the devil you know with already established friendship groups. Moving to a new setting, knowing no one in year 8 is hard especially in the private sector where these groups in some cases have been established from infants.

Does your senior school start before y9? You mention asking in y8. I would go early if you have the option and are going anyway. If the fun and excitement of being top of the school has been ruined then I would just go. But not to a different prep for one year only and then move again .

Yes, sorry. The senior school has both 11+ and 13+ entries and we picked 13+ as we thought DS would finish his prep school and then move.

I understand nipping it in the bud before the hormones kick in but I think they're overdoing it.
Some of DS' friends have moved at 11+ so there aren't real friendship groups I don't think.
I take your point of moving on your own and sticking out like a soar thumb. I think DS would be fine doing this, he's sociable but the others might not, I'm making a note.

I’d ring the senior school today and just ask them. If he’s unhappy and not going to be staying on for the senior school at the current school there is no reason to stay until year 9. A unhappy child is just so sad. I’d potentially move asap even after Xmas as the majority of people go at yr7 so there will only be a tiny number left (usually the ones with younger siblings or waiting for boarding school). I moved mine through yr 7 he was so miserable to another senior school he’s so happy now. Some children can be mean too! Don’t make him wait if there is a place at the other school maybe you should take a financial hit for happiness.

I would defo ring the senior school and ask!

I hadn't thought of that! As schools are so assertive about you having to pick 11+ or 13+ entry. The financial hit might be a hurdle. Will discuss with DH

I think you are experiencing one of the disadvantages of schools doing pre select in year 6. Your son presumably knows he has a firm place at his secondary school for year 9 so he can't see the point of putting in lots of effort for years 7 and 8. When Common Entrance exams in year 8 really meant the difference of getting a place at the desired Secondary school or not, the pupils were much more vested in doing their best in year 7 and 8 so that their prep school head could give them honest strong backing. I don't think the school being strict in year 7 is bad thing.

I think you may be right. Although I still think that a first term of transition wouldn't have hurt anyone. That still leaves 18 months of hard work if you want to.

All these schools are business. Now they know they have a max of less than 2 years and also pressure from external kids joining it’s all about the destination list to improve the cash flow / numbers. All is well in the world as long as everything is ok. Quite a few of my eldest child friends stayed onto year 9 (some young born / some siblings and equally some parents thought the location was good. However, the levels of sports dropped significantly as they don’t have a pool of children to pick from they all absolutely hated it - all the parents did too. Especially when they had an offer at yr9 school so the likes of the common entrance exam was pointless as they knew where the child was going and thought it was extra stress. It was only important to the children that didn’t have a back up plan.

Schoolla don’t care if you here been there years even if you have multiple siblings. All smiles until something rocks the boat.

Id always move an unhappy child especially out of an independent as it’s a false world.

1.5 years left and a position in another school with an unhappy child I’d move if I could.

but eh ho you have to make the choice if the other school would take your child earlier.

Good luck

I think secondary school heads also want preps to be on the ball for years 7 and 8. The last thing they want is a load of kids turning up to year 9 who have done bare minimum for nearly 2 years. There is only one year before they start GCSE courses and the secondary schools also need to keep the results up to expected level. I have heard that one private school near me which currently takes about 50% into year 7 and the rest at year 9 is seriously considering abolishing entry at year 9 because increasing numbers of the students pre tested in year 6 to start in year 9 are way behind those taken into the school in year 7 even those who came from state primary schools and had never done languages or science in a laboratory setting prior to starting year 7. These students passed the tests in year 6 but then clearly took foot off the accelerator and are now finding year 9 at secondary school much tougher than it needed to be.