American mom moving to Derbyshire

[Scorpionflower1]

Hello All,

I'm an American Californian mom of 3 daughters ages 17, 15, and 8. We're planning a move to Derbyshire this summer and I'm looking to learn as much as I can. My DSO is from Derbyshire and is currently there there looking at places. I've only visited the area once before so feel I'm flying blind.

I'm hoping to connect with some mom's in the area who may be willing to provide some insights as to living there. What towns are most ideal for families? Which towns would be most embracing of my Californian daughters and myself? Which are the best schools? I'm a corporate accountant. What areas would have the best career opportunities for my profession?

Any feedback or insights would be greatly appreciated!

DD2 is a freshman (9th grade) and took Spanish for 2 years in intermediate school (7th & 8th grade) which counts as one out of the two years required for high school diploma. Earth science is literally earth..geology, etc. Chemistry, physics, biology here are covered in her upcoming years. DD1 is doing Chemistry now as 11th grade (Junior Year). There's definitelu a difficulty in translating what has been done here to there. The timelines for when kids study certain things are not in sync. Seems in US we let the kids explore more. They don't have to chose any kind of pathway really until college, and even then they can change. Switching schools really isn't that big of a deal. Mostly just disrupts social life.

Parker she's says they are studying a language: Spanish. DD2 seems to be missing history or geography? Any reason that's been dropped? Do all Freshman take Earth Science or did she choose it over Biology etc?

An easier option might be to have DD1/2 continue in an American model via distance learning or essentially home ed but through an online program. The only problem could be lack of social opportunities but they could maybe do Girl Guides (scouts), horse riding or some other clubs. Then you could live wherever and if the girls want to go back to the US it will be far easier.

DD1 might be best served by getting a GED and then applying for A levels or starting further back with GCSEs. At least she would have a high school diploma. The problem you'll find is it's not easy nor accommodated well for kids to study out of year group. There's no such thing as community colleges. The US system stays broad for far longer and is way more flexible. The rigidity of the system and how early it puts kids into a stream makes it far more pressurised in my opinion.

I think the real danger that people are trying to articulate is that the systems don't join up at all. Because the English system narrows but goes deeper your girls could be very out of their depth and if it fails they could end up without a GED or any English qualifications which would make them unemployable in any meaningful way.

If it were me I'd get them both doing distance/online GED courses while they decide what they think of living here and you sort out what other options they have such as online I-GCSEs etc. If your relationship goes tits up or the girls plain hate it they can move seamlessly back into a US system.

Switching schools is a big deal when she doesn't have any qualifications to get into further education or employment.

I hear what you are all saying. I'm soooo glad I came here and you all have brought these concerns to light. Distance learning is one of the options on my list. My girls really want to attend classes there of course so we'll exhaust the site based options. What this means is DD1 needs to really decide what she wants to do, which is difficult for her to do. DD2 knows she wants to work in coding, so that makes it a little easier...

I'd sell it to the girls that they will do one year of distance learning while they get to explore the local options themselves for schooling. After being here for a year they will have a much better idea. Ideally you want a school that will take DD2 out of her year group so she can start GCSEs from the beginning. I'm not even sure how you can jump in the middle of a two sometimes three year course. It just doesn't happen. You will probably have a fight on your hands with the local authority to do it but if find a sympathetic head who is willing and start from there. But really don't chuck the poor kid in the middle of a gcse course. She will sink. It won't be a matter of "catching up".

1 year should give DD1 time to get her GED. Then go from there.

And don't discount the weather. You're coming from gorgeous sunny CA to somewhere wet cold and dark in the winters. Lots of Americans go running home after a winter of it getting dark at 4 and the constant drizzle/rain. It's going to be a huge culture shock without the school debacle.

www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs/job-profile/teaching-assistants

You mentioned earlier than your DD1 had expressed an interest in being a teachers aide. In the UK the role is known as a teaching assistant. Vacant positions are often very popular and becoming more scarce due to budget cuts.

15 and 17 are, without a doubt the most critical years for education here in the UK. You cannot progress without GCSEs (taken age 15/16) so I would look at how her current grades factor into that and if there is and equivalency test she can sit.

With regards social scenes things are VERY VERY different in the UK compared to Orange County (I have lived in Corona Del Mar and Irvine).

I would look at the following

1. How close do you really want to be to your soon to be in laws? (If happy with an hour drive go for Buxton, Leek, Sheffield, Macclesfield)
2. How can you transfer over their education levels as that really will be a huge, huge factor.
3. Will your children be entitled to higher education funding in the same manner as British children or EU children or will it differ. Similarly will they be charged the price of international students (my BIL's step son is currently facing an eye watering price for his degree). Also prices are now £9k a year + a heap more for accommodation and living expenses. When totted up those costs, factoring in the exchange rate of 20 years ago. probably come out at the same as your college costs.

hello

Perhaps we could all do a South Derbyshire meet up?

Yes I think we should.

Your DDs' birth years and months will determine their options for entry to UK state schools (private schools and home ed are more flexible but obviously very expensive). All DC born between 1 September and end August the following year go into the same academic year (there is no option to be educated "out of year group"), so 15 and 16yo DC born between Sep 2001 and Aug 2002 will sit GCSEs this year. As I mentioned, GCSEs are a two year course, so to be admitted for GCSEs starting from this September (exams in summer 2019) DD2's birthday would need to be (I think) Sep 2003 to Aug 2004.

She would probably need expensive and/or time consuming tuition to do well.

DD1 could complete high school by distance learning and then look at A levels at a further ed college (16+) or school sixth form, but she might miss the age range for entry to sixth form and with her SEN and coming from a different system A levels and especially further ed college could be very difficult.

The best thing for their education (and future job options) would very likely be to remain in the US until DD2 finishes high school.

If you're considering Nottingham and want more of a town type life than city/rural then look at West bridgford - excellent schools and high street is great for day and night life - close to the countryside too and short bus ride to Nottingham. Lots of industry / two universities so good job prospects although you can travel to Nottingham from derby - albeit the traffic is awful

Damn, not realistic for both the 15yo & 17yo to get CA GEDs before immigrating.

I'll be over March 15-25 and again April 4-24 to look around

Unhelpful April dates, can you change? Derbysh schools will be completely shut up 8-23 April. Schools are closed 1-17 April for NOTTS, & 8-23 again for LEICS.

Many (most?) computer programmers in private sector lack Univ. degrees. Still quite challenging what OP is gearing up to do.

Whilst West Bridgford in Nottingham is a nice suburban/city area the schools situation is crazy. It has about the only decent state schools in Nottingham and as such they are very difficult to get into and property commands a premium. Very ordinary houses are expensive there. Lots of people move to the area to use the schools and then find they can't get in and end up moving again or using the Nottingham private schools.

Nottingham is probably a much better option for you to work though OP (once you're married of course). International accountancy firms/law firms/finance and a reasonable amount of big business.

There are some lovely villages in Derbyshire but many won't have much for teenagers. Would you not be better looking at surburbs of Leeds or Manchester?

Complete change of direction
If you do end up in the UK you should look at a young Women's Institute for getting to know people. Its a national organisation with local groups in most villages and towns. (I am not sure if there is a US equivalent!). Even if you never make a pot of jam it's worth joining to make friends/contacts in your area. There is a bit of a new wave thing going on at the moment with a lot of new groups being set up.

e.g. this is a new group local to Swad.

Not read full thread, apologies if someone's already mentioned. There's the American School in London. Would you consider that as an option? Maybe stay in London during the week and travel up to visit DH at weekends - or vice versa - for a couple of years? Has an excellent reputation but is private so would cost. Has an open day coming up at the end of March.

link to website here

OP - how are your plans coming along?

Parker - We expect to make progress this week with schools back in session there. I'm waiting to hear back from a couple distance learning programs for expats. They may be a good option particularly for DD1. We're inquiring about the trade colleges as well since that may be a good option for DD2. I believe we're likely going with different options for DD1 and DD2 as their situations, interests, and abilities are so different. We really want to talk directly with the schooling individuals there to walk through the options. I'll be over there in only 16 days so will really sort a lot out then.

I'm in process of moving out of my current residence as my lease term is up end of March. I plan to be moved out before our trip March 14th. It's been pretty hectic with my current move. Once this is done we'll be just waiting for all the legal things to process and my girls to finish their school year. We'll be with my parents until then.

Did have a fun filled day at Disneyland today. Fun but exhausting! DD3 made me laugh. During electric parade she saw the Big Ben float from Peter Pan and said "We'll have to get used to that!" DSO's mum has a grandfather clock we always see in background during Skype calls, and London has Big Ben...so she seems to think everywhere in England has big loud clocks! Lol too funny!

What equivalents are there in UK? DSO mentioned at least one theme park but I can't remember the name.

Alton Towers in Staffordshire is one of the most popular theme parks and Thorpe park and Chessington are both just outside London.

Theres really nothing like Disneyland here.

I've read the thread but didn't see this suggestion, so apologies if I've missed it if said already.

If your 14yo wants to do coding, I know two people who (recently) did a BTEC in Computer Science. Both then with this got into very good universities (one got into a top Russell Group uni). DH and many of his friends work in the industry. The big deal for them anyway is ability and portfolio - I'm sure there may well be places that look to certain degrees, but pretty much everywhere that we know of looks for certain abilities, e.g. which programming languages you know, which environments you have developed in etc.

I'll be honest with you, a lot of people don't take BTECs seriously - there can be a bit of snobbery in the UK about BTECs and NVQs and similar, which are FE courses usually as an alternative to A levels which are considered more 'academic'. But the tide is changing on that - apprenticeships for instance are becoming very popular, and the reputation is massively improving. In my sector apprentices are seen in a similar light to the traditional graduate scheme entrants - i.e. talent / high potential.

Anyway that's just a small tidbit there as I know nothing about immigrating or changing schools etc! However I want to say wish you the best. I'm sure a lot of people here know what they're talking about and are giving you all the knowledge or forewarning. But these things aren't everything - I've had a lot of education, my DH almost none, we're pretty much in the same place! Life is life and yes, be as organised as possible but I am an optimist so I wish you all very well.

Also you mentioned your DD gets support in school. If you haven't already you might want to look into an EHCP and when you have an idea of local authority (i.e. the local council / local government), you can search for their name and their local offer. Here is Westminster's as an example.

To be honest SEN support is a minefield of it's own but there are some fantastically helpful and knowledgeable people on the SN boards - SN chat is a good place to start.

Beforeihit30 - The coding field is much the same in US. Having a higher education degree is pretty irrelevant unless you're looking to advance to upper management, which many in that field really have no desire to do. I've known coders for Blizzard, Spacex, and Yahoo who have said the same as you.

I'm also an optimist. I believe in being informed and planning, but also LIVING life. None of us know how much time we have to live. We shouldn't hold back from life out of fear or uncertainty. My life journey has taught me this. Practicality may get you security and stability, but may restrain you from what could have been the best chapter of your life. I live in the balance between the practical and the risk, and when I'm balancing between the two will most often take that plunge to the unknown. Things sometimes go awry but we deal with things as they come. Life's a story full of adventures.