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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

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Original poster

Has anyone moved back to the UK specifically for primary schooling ?

15 replies

4x4 · 19/10/2013 17:34

We are dithering about returning next September for my eldest to begin pre -prep. He will be 4.9 and I wonder does it make sense to do it then or wait till 7+ ?

OP posts:

exexpat · 19/10/2013 17:39

A lot would depend on your schooling options where you live now, and how a move would fit in with career plans. Also precisely what kind of school you are looking at here - if it's a hyper-competitive London one, it's probably very different from somewhere a bit more relaxed.

FWIW, I know lots of expats who have moved back for secondary or in time for GCSE courses, but I can't think of anyone who has felt the need to move back for infants school. I moved back (not by choice) when DS was 8 and DD was 4, and they had no trouble integrating into the British school system.

casacastille · 19/10/2013 17:39

I have been very tempted, many times.

IME changing countries only becomes tough for kids academically once they are at secondary.

mrsvandertramp · 19/10/2013 17:45

We moved back for DC to start Y5 and Y2. I think that for pre-prep it didn't make much difference where they were, but certainly once they were in Y3 onwards we were really glad we came back as the opportunities were much better for sport and music in particular. They found the move quite easy, especially as they moved from big international school to a much smaller school, so it wasn't too scary.

LIZS · 19/10/2013 17:50

We did . ds went into yr 3, dd Reception. Much harder adjustment for ds who hadn't been taught the basics in a structured way (IB curriculum in International school) and as he was also dyspraxic he would have benefitted from a more formal approach earlier.

mummytime · 19/10/2013 17:54

A friend of mine did, but only after her second son was diagnosed with ASD.

Bonsoir · 19/10/2013 21:51

It would depend where you were living and what your options were. Where are you?

Wibblypiglikesbananas · 19/10/2013 22:37

Thinking of it in a couple of years' time so will be interested to see what everyone thinks.

Original poster

4x4 · 20/10/2013 12:57

We are in Doha and have a place in Pre School at one of the most well regarded schools .
We definitely want to be back for prep but have registered for Reception at three independent boys schools. Two of these are selective and means I will need to come back to do the entrance procedures in early 2014.
Happy to do so anyway as wondering if DS is up to speed .
Dilema is , I may return without DH
should be choose to start next September .
I have four boys (1,1,2,3) so this is not ideal.
Curious to see if anyone thinks taking a Reception place is essentially better than delaying .

OP posts:

becs1973 · 27/10/2013 07:10

We are contemplating doing this. Living in SE Asia currently. 3 ds (ages 5, 3 and 1). Not on an expat package so wouldhave to stump up international school fees ourselves and its not financially possible. Plus our eldest has ASD which wuld require full time additional support which would also need to be paid for by us. Kind of nervous about moving back after 5 years away, not been back during that time and have no family in the uk. But i am hoping that it will be the right thing to do, plus there is not really another option for us. How long after you arrive in the UK do you have to have school age children enrolled in school? We woukd have to find a place to live first!

lemmingcurd · 31/10/2013 00:26

Yes I have done this, DCs just joined Y4 and Y5. Would've done much earlier but DH strongly resistant. If you have the chance & want them to have a UK education do it sooner rather than later, is my advice. Friendships become an issue the older they get

bsc · 31/10/2013 00:34

I think it's good for children to start at the same time as their peers- means they have the shared experiences of school others have, and best chances of making friends.

That said- most schools (fee-paying and maintained) have nursery years (i.e. the year pre-reception)- wouldn't you start them then?

Original poster

4x4 · 31/10/2013 17:38

bsc - none of the London Schools I am interested in have entry before Reception and two also offer an intake for Year One. So could have a good year to ponder .

I just find the older children here get very expat brat .

OP posts:

bsc · 31/10/2013 21:52

Ah, ok- no worries then about waiting. All the independents round here begin at rising 4!

Lavenderhoney · 02/11/2013 04:04

Becs1973, I'm looking at this myself at the moment and it seems you have to have a residence address in the UK to apply for a school. I think you can do an expression of interest.

I don't know where I want to live yet, and dh won't be coming, so its all a bit difficult! I wish there was a table which showed free places!

pupsiecola · 02/11/2013 09:33

We were able to apply for school places in Hampshire whilst living in SE Asia earlier this year. That was for in year places (May). Once we were offered the places we had 10 days to accept. After acceptance the boys had to be in school within 4 weeks. I too thought we'd need to have a UK address to apply. Maybe different counties have different rules. Maybe the rules are different for in year places (which makes sense?).

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