Move schools??

[Johny4543]

Hi everyone. We moved few months ago to new town. Long story short, my younger son did not get reception place at the school we wanted ( walking distance), and placed him in another nice school 2.5 miles away. He settled well, made few friends and he absolutely loves his new school and teachers. Recently we got a phone call from council saying there is space at the school we wanted. The only problem, my son does not want to go. I personally think his new school is very good, much more spacious than the other one, about 130 less children than the other school, much bigger playground and children always come out with smile on their faces.
On the other hand this other school is very close to where we live. My wife needs to drive 2.5 miles In the morning. That is not a really a problem now but she has medical condition that is worsening and one day she may not be able to drive anymore and then we will have a big problem. Also my older son attends the other school ( he got space there straight away ) and he keeps telling me not to transfer my younger son there as they are struggling with space and they are squeezed like sardines in lessons and playground. He also told me there are bullies in this school. I want my son to flourish and be happy, and if his current school makes him happy, I would keep him there. My biggest concern is my wife's condition that one day may prevent her from driving ( This not necessarily has to happen but may happen ). We won't be able to afford taxis every day, and council won't provide transport as they offered us much closer school ( already spoke with them about it )What shall I do? Move him or keep him where he is? I know my son is only 5 and he would most probably settle in new school too but he's very bright for his age and every time I ask him he says he doesn't want to move.

I understand not wanting to give details about the medical condition but is it a slow deterioration situation or something that could come on quite quickly?

I have a condition that is declarable and severe episodes results in me losing my licence for a minimum of 3 months - I need to be stable again for 3 months to get it back. A friend of my had to have surgery on her leg after a fall and couldn't drive for 6 weeks. She relied on the kindness of other mums dropping her daughter off as they walked past her house on their walk to school. For these reasons we chose the 2 schools walking distance from us and decided against trying to get into another school closed to her nursery we really like but is a 10 minute drive away. I'm ready to stop the drive after almost 2 years to the nursery. I don't want another 7 years of it. There were no suitable nurseries in our town so it was a different decision and staying stable for 2 years was a different ball game compared to 7 years.

If it's a slow change situation I possibly would stay for now and review periodically. If it's a situation that could change with less notice I would move them now so there's one less change to sort whilst adjusting to the new situation

Child is 5. Your decision. Not his.

I would keep him at the best school, whichever one that is. At the moment, it sounds like it's possible to get him where he is going, so it doesn't mean that he absolutely needs to move right now. We've always had to drive to school, and while yes, there is uncertainty with your wife's health, a 2.5 mile drive on the face of it would not alone make me change schools.

The only thing I would consider beyond that though is where his friends will live. It isn't necessarily a problem having friends that are driving distance away, but if he would otherwise be walking distance to friends, that will make life a lot easier when he gets older.

To be honest it sounds like you should move your eldest to the other school. Definitely don't move your youngest. I would not be happy with what he is reporting about that school (aware that is not the point of your thread, but still)

Yes. What my son is reporting about his current school concerns me a lot. He even said to me he would like to transfer to where my younger son goes but he hasn't got much left to finish the school so I think he needs to stick to his current school. This one on paper looks so much better and is a lot closer to our home but my younger one is just happy where he is and it's a tough decision

Leave him in the better school. It will be easier to find a childminder/childcare student, parent etc to do a drop off and collection than deal with a move due to bullying. Or deal with the impact of what sounds like a school under pressure.