Moving schools in Year 5

[Creole]

Has anyone done this?

I'm seriously thinking about this for the new term. My DD has been having loads of problems with her current school, that I feel a move might be what she needs. She has recently been referred to the SENCO

She's very clever and has been assessed to be about 3 years ahead (in English) by her tutor. She actually told the tutor about the problems she's been having at school and the tutor suggested she might be bored.

I'm thinking of a school with small class size as oppose to the 31 she's currently at.

The tutor has suggested an independent school might be the best option for her.

However, I'm really not sure if this is the right thing to do. I'm working with the school on the behaviour on a daily basis and really hoping things will change soon, but every day its one thing after the next and I'm running out of ideas on what to do.

My other worry is, I don't want the school to end up permanently exclude her, so I was thinkign maybe a place where her skills and abilities are taken into account might help.

Any thoughts? Would really appreciate them..

Many thanks

yes, I think that will happen after the bank holiday. She also has a detention for that

Yes, part of me think a good school might make a difference, but as you say, I need to sort out these problems first I guess - hence thinking for the next term

Hmm, that's a bit late to be honest. It's never good to carry a punishment over for any longer then a couple of days as they don't always remember what they have done.

I don't think that you will be able to sort out all of her problems within this term if I'm being completely honest. Tackle the main ones that cause the most disruption, any good school will help her (and you) to tackle the rest. The main thing is that she does not disrupt the class. They are use to a child not following instructions and a bit of talking. She won't be able to get away with any bad behaviour. All you need to say is that she's not as mature as her school wishes her to be and they will understand what you mean by this. You don't need to go into details.

Yes, I completely agree, will focus on the main ones. I have a meeting with the school soon anyway, so will bring up all of this.

Thanks again, really appreciate it

You are more then welcome. Get them to try a sticker chart for her, they are only to give her a sticker for each lesson where there has been no problem so it rewards the positive behaviour (you should still be told about anything that she's done though).

Have a think about your options and see what the current school say. If you need anything then please ask.

I hope it all works out OK for you both, it must be incredibly difficult for your daughter.

thanks Belle, yes I know why you fell in love with DS' secondary school - IIRC it's NHS? DS is there and absolutely loves it - don't have a single negative observation to make, I think it's the most fab school ever!

Just wish could find the same for DD - the girls' school next to DS' is far too academic and competitive for her; I'm beginning to realise that she is more innocent and little girlie still than her peers.

Will do as you suggest and maybe talk about it just for Y5/Y6 in the hope she'll stay; that way we can always opt back into the state system at 11 if all goes pear-shaped!

One last question, just found out that the school I have in mind would want a report from the current school, do all private schools do this?

It is NHS, we are going to the music thingy on Wednesday, ds will be the boy with a book (he takes one everywhere).

Ds's first one didn't ask for a reference creole, the one he's at now didn't ask for one either but the secondary he's moving to in September did. It seems that the less academic school don't always ask, you could offer some recent school reports and see how it goes, aswell as a reference from her tutor. If you emphasise the fact that she's not coping very well in such a large class then they should be understanding.

Yes, I will do that - thanks

One advantage is, her tutor taught at this school for 23 years, so will be asking him for a reference.

Good plan!

Have just moved DD2 in last term of Y4. Not happy at very small village school - small friendship pool and mixed age class and getting very bored but also very lonely. Have moved to private all through school that she would have gone to in Y7 anyway. Early days but already much happier in lesson time and 2 classes of girls means a lot more potential friends so fingers crossed. VERY hard decision though so sympathise with Creole

BUT on reflection wish I had moved DD1 earlier as well as she sounds just like your daughter, thirty, and struggled at primary school academically. Reading age way beyond her years but everything else (maths, writing, general day to day organisation) completely pants! She loved it there though so didn't move her but she found herself very behind at secondary though and it has taken most of last 3 years to catch up. Plus, if she had joined in Y5 she would already have had some firm friends by Y7.

mmm Maggotts that's very interesting! Am v glad to hear you feel you've made right decision for your DD2 - sounds like it was tough choice though.

My problem re friends is the opposite - she has a huge friendship pool at current school (46 girls in the year!) whereas at the school I want to move her to there are only nine girls in the class (one class per year in juniors) so if she doesn't get on with most of them she may feel lonely there?

But equally she's falling further and further behind academically so i feel like we are losing valuable time at current school.

Why's it so damn difficult!?!