Moving private to state Y4

[ibeka]

My children (twins) are currently at a private day school. I need to move them for various reasons. We have a few lovely local primaries where various neighbours go and are happy and I’m confident we’d get a place in one. I am not at all worried about the quality of education etc. but I am worried about them being upset at moving school and leaving their friends. Both kids are bright, friendly and quirky (read likely ND but low support needs) but both are worriers. Looking for experience of those who have moved schools at a similar age.

We moved house, no choice as for work and it was fine, expect some upset but they adjust quickly. Children move schools all the time

For one reason or another our kids are now on their 4th school.. one settles within 3 days and the other takes 2 terms..

If you need to do it, you need to do it. Kids change schools all the time for many reasons. Do you think there will be 2 places available in the same school?

Just explain to them and let them ask questions. Expect a bit of upset along the way but be positive about the process. Invite new friends over to play, accept any party invitations that they might get and I’m sure they’ll soon make a good set of new friends

Thank you. This is the sort of answer I was hoping to see!

Talk up the positives of the new school, be clear that they’ll keep their old friends (at least the good ones) and make new friends as well. It’s honestly fine, they’ll settle quickly. Expect occasional upset/worries but don’t get worried yourself!

Can they make friends at the new school via local clubs or a play date via a contact you find? That would give them huge comfort knowing that they have a friend in the new school

Thank you. Technically they only need one space, as the admissions policy round us is to admit the second twin even if that means going over PAN. There are three schools I’d be happy with and one I’d be OK about. They already do cubs with people from all the schools and also know neighbours at them.

Yes this would be a good idea. They know some already and of course as twins they’re very lucky in that they’ll have each other!

Thank you all. I just feel sad as I know one in particular will find the transition hard and spend the whole summer worrying. But you’re right, children do it all the time and I’m sure they’ll be fine once used to it…

One tip I was given is that it can make the transition easier on kids that are worriers if they finish one school on the Friday, and start the next on the Monday. Then there is less time to dwell, whereas they can work themselves into a real state over the holidays.

If their current school breaks for the summer before the new one, could they start the new school before the summer? Round here there's a good 2.5 week gap. Or pull them out of their old school a few weeks before the end of term. Hopefully if they have a few weeks at the new school it will cloud the summer less.

If you can move them during the summer term I definitely would - even having met some people and hopefully having some play dates over the holidays will make it much easier.

We moved in year 4, settled in well, encourage friendships and make sure home is as happy and settled as can be.

They’ll be fine I’m sure! Could they move earlier? Give them a chance to settle in before the summer.