Hello all,
feeling very conflicted and wondered if anyone has any experiences/advice to share.
My partner has been offered a move with his work to Melbourne. We’re currently living in Kent (although the plan was always to move back to London where we’re both from). I’m not currently working (SAHM) but will need to get a job when we move (be that back to London or in Melbourne).
Im open to the move, and accept there are countless lifestyle benefits to living out there - however at this point can’t see myself long term. I simply would miss family too much!
We have a 2.25 year old son, who will be starting school in Sept 2026 if we’re in the UK. I’m becoming increasingly worried about the impact the move and subsequent move back would have on him and his education.
For him to start school in reception and get a place at a local school of our choosing we would need to be living in catchment in January 2026. This would have knock on implications for career for both of us I think as would just not be long enough.
If we leave it any later, from my understanding we’d have to do an in-year application and would be given a space wherever there is one. We intend to move back to the Forest Hill area and it just seems a big risk that he might be placed somewhere underperforming, given how oversubscribed schools are in the area.
Also have concerns If we left it to ks2 where there’s a bit more wiggle room with class sizes that he’d be far behind his peers in terms of ability as the Aus system gears up much more slowly than the UK one.
I’d love to make it work, but it’s seeming a bit impossible from where I’m standing! My partner is much more able to brush off the risks - so maybe I just need to be more optimistic. Any advice?