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Gifted and talented

Talk to other parents about parenting a gifted child on this forum.

Changing schools at year 6 (long, sorry)

9 replies

TimeChild · 25/06/2012 14:54

I would really appreciate some advice.

My dd is 10 and finishing y5. She has never been formally assessed, but she is very capable, particularly in literacy. She ticks pretty much all of the 'gifted' list in this link

Her current school is an inner city primary - lovely 'inclusive' place but academically not challenging. Quite frankly they don't have a clue how to engage her, resources are stretched and the need is greater elsewhere.

dd has not thrived there, not engaged in lessons, friendship problems, boredom. Has led to frequent tantrum outbursts after school. However recently things have been improving. She is still bored but fewer outbursts and much improved friendships.

Out of the blue today, I had a call from another local school that has a very good academic reputation offering her a place next year. V. oversubscribed, much more traditional in its methods, academic, high achieving, in a middle class area. I put her name down a while ago after a particularly bad spell.

I know that she will be much more challenged there and there will be other children who are as or more academic than her. The downside is that she doesn't really know anyone there (although as we are in a city, it is in walking distance and other local children go there). The other reason why I applied is that a large number of children from that school go on to the local secondary where dd will definitely be going. She will move there with a lot of peers.

Other minor worries include that new school does French, whereas dd studies Spanish.

I have arranged to visit it with dd tomorrow morning.

The question is should she stay or should she go?

Will be really interested in your views. Thanks.

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FFSIvehadenoughofthisnow · 25/06/2012 15:02

Take dd to see the new school tomorrow and then see what you both think. I would be guded y her to a degree. If she really, really doesn't want to move then i'd leave it. But if she likes the new school and is open to the idea, then go for it.

FFSIvehadenoughofthisnow · 25/06/2012 15:03

guided by (sorry)

adoptmama · 26/06/2012 07:28

I would say definitely send her. Whilst you have improving friendships at her current school it doesn't sound like she has any particularly close or deep friendships there. If the children at the new school are more engaged and motivated and able in their work then it I would think she would find like-minded friends quickly. The difference in the language studied is, frankly, minimal at this age anyway so wouldn't present a significant difficulty. You have the advantage of her then going onto secondary with an established friendship group and having been (hopefully) given the opportunity to be challenged, stretched and engaged more in her final year of primary school. I can't see a down side frankly as long as the teachers etc seem nice when you visit.

mummytime · 26/06/2012 07:46

I wouldn't worry about the language issue, the amount they learn in primary is minimal anyhow (quoted by a friend who is a specialist teacher). You could get her a book or something to help her catchup over the summer ( Hello, my name is..., numbers and colours).
I'd talk to her, but it does sound as if moving would be the best thing to do. And she will have the chance to meet people she will go to secondary with.

mynack · 26/06/2012 10:54

I agree with FFSI. The other thing i have been plugging in MN threads, as a generally helpful idea for g. and t. children of primary age, is a subscription to Aquila magazine (I think it is www.aquila.co.uk). Hope the visit goes (went) well.

TimeChild · 26/06/2012 11:25

Hi, thanks for all your advice. Really useful.

I've just come back from the visit. dd and I were both really impressed! Lots of the usual good stuff such as extensive enrichment programme, an Apple Mac room which is dedicated to multimedia and animation, brand new and clean toilets (dd's main like Smile), nice atmosphere etc

But what really struck me was that as it is a junior (yr3-6) school, how more grown up and sophisticated it all felt. Although it is a standard state school (though in a properous area), so presumably the funding is similar to other local schools, they have been able to focus the spending on things that are suitable for this older age group. The ethos seemed to be more giving responsibility and less mothering which will be good for dd. Academically it seems much more challenging with maths properly taught in sets. A good stepping stone to secondary, I think.

dd and I talked about comfort zones and how she would deal with being out of them. She is a perfectionist and tends to not get out there and join in if she is not totally sure of success. On the other hand, there were 2 boys in her prospective class that she does already know and that doesn't seem to have put her off, so its a good sign! Wink

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TimeChild · 27/06/2012 16:27

Oh no! dd can't decide! (primarily her choice, but I think new school would be better for her, but not necessarily easier)

dd did a pro/con list and it boils down to friends and comfort zone vs interesting and exciting opportunity to learn.

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mummytime · 27/06/2012 19:32

Well promise to see some of her existing friends outside school sometimes, year 6 is old enough for this to be realistic. Both my kids are still in touch with friends who went to different secondary schools after year 6.

I also always recommend doing some out of school activity/activities with a different crowd, especially for girls.

TimeChild · 29/06/2012 08:02

dd finally decided to move to new school. Excited but also a few tears as sad to be leaving. I think she gave it a lot of thought so hopeful that it will all go well.

She has a lot of out of school friends, also confident she will keep in touch with some of the existing school friends. Hopefully this means that her friendship circle will grow even more! :)

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