Changing schools during primary

[NotMyDayJob]

DD6 will be changing schools at the beginning of September, we have moved house and although her existing school is commutable it's a long journey. However we weren't sure if we would move or if a place would come up so we haven't yet mentioned it would be a possibility. Because of all the uncertainty we haven't really prepared her this might happen (which may have been a mistake in hindsight but we genuinely didn't think we'd get a place).

At the very last minute a place has come available for an oversubscribed school so we had to accept quickly. she will be doing a settling in session next week, and we're planning on telling her tomorrow. Does anyone who has been through this have any tips on how to tell her and also how to help her get used to the idea and also settled from September.

If her existing school was perfect we wouldn't have moved her but we've had a few concerns and there has been some bullying so we do genuinely feel this is for the best, but she does have friends there so she will be upset.

I don't know how my parents told me but I moved schools twice in a year in infant school and it was no problem. Way easier than moving in secondary school!

Age 6? She’ll be fine, ours did it then and it went really well. At that age kids play alongside each other more than with them. It’s a good age to do it.

I haven't said she's going into her last year? She's 6 going into Yr3

Yes she's 6, although she's a very late summer born so she'll be turning 7 a few days before starting.

I know ultimately she'll be fine, she's a very sociable little girl and definitely plays with just not alongside l, I just wondered if anyone had any tips to aid the transition

Not just alongside

Move her while at primary. She will be fine.
May take a little time to settle in.
Speak to her about it and go from there.
A new school for Charlie - is a great kid's book to use.
About a dog who goes to a new school full of cats.
or My new school - new adventure or something like that - about Tyrone changing schools as Dad, I think, gets a new job.

I think some people have mistaken her being 6 years old for her going into year 6.
She will be okay, we are likely to do similar for various reasons. I think just be there for her, talk it through with her and really highlight the positives. Remind her that she can still sometimes see her old friends for playdates etc.

That's a great idea thank you, I'll see what book I can get as she loves to read and we can read it to her and leave it for her to read herself as well

I have no idea why, the number after DD is birth order or age, not school year.

Yes she can still see friends at a shared activity. To be honest even if she was in her last year we've still had a bullying problem, if it wasn't for that we might have sucked up the commute but the school are struggling to deal with it and it's been very difficult

Our DD moved school in yr3. The new school assigned her a buddy to show her the ropes which was nice. We made a big fuss of getting her a new pencil case, water bottle etc. She settled in in no time, honestly at 6/7 they are super adaptable. We moved 300 miles away so it was all change. Does your DD do any clubs outside of school? perhaps keep these consistent.

My DD moved school after reception so started year 1 in a new school. Also because of moving house. We just kept talking positively about the new school over the holidays and had a couple of play dates with her best friends from the old school so she knew she didn't have to lose touch with them. She was a star and took it all in her stride. At that age they're very resilient

Yes she does, and we've adjusted them slightly so she does the same activity in a different night so she'll still see the friends she is closest to at the activities.

We also do feel this is the best time, we were able to do our 300 mile move when she was only 2 nearly 3 but she does remember where we lived so it's not like she goes to a school in a community that is all she's known.

She loves having a nice water bottle so we'll definitely do that

I moved primary schools three times, end of reception, end of I think Yr2 and then end of yr4 (although this was on olden days so they didn't call it that then). I was just told and that was it and I remember on the last move being very unhappy so I'd like to avoid that

My experience (14 years in primary) is that children generally settle in well, as long as no-one makes a fuss about it being difficult. Children are quite robust, on the whole.

I think she's the perfect age to move and settle. If I was you, I'd tell her it's a good school and a place has come up. How about we go have a look, see how you feel. Make her feel like she's got a choice in saying no to it if it's absolutely awful. You know what she doesn't like about her current school and try and point out those things being improved at the new school. Also, she's old enough to understand that logistics is important so take the time to explain to her how much easier it would be to do after school clubs etc etc. we're in the position of still waiting for a place for DC of a smilar age so I'd 100% urge you to explain and make her accept the place! It does help to let them think they have a choice though

Children that age can be very adaptable if you stay very positive and point out all the great new things in the new school. Don't focus on any negatives.

We moved abroad when DS was 5 after he had completed 2 terms of Reception in the uk.

We didn't know anyone when we arrived here but he spent most of that summer at the local playground getting to know lots of local children and I got to know a couple of mums.

He started from scratch in the September in a village school with 5 other boys in his year. It was definitely the right move for him and us too.

Just tell her. Make a big deal of the exciting new house and how fun the new school will be. Make plans to keep in touch with all her current friends. It really won’t be a big deal.

We moved when eldest was in Y4 (mid year) and youngest who was 4 moved from one nursery to another to holiday club for the summer and then new school in September. It really was totally fine. Y4 one had like best friends within a week and it was like we’d never been anywhere else.

Thanks for the positive words everyone (who didn't completely miss read my post).

The move was before Christmas so one of the challenges we have is that we've managed the commute thus far and DD doesn't realise you might change schools because you've moved. We've also settled very well, so we can't really lean on the excitement of the new house.

But we will tell her this afternoon and focus on the positives definitely. There aren't really any negatives other than being sad about leaving. It's objectively a better school and I think she will be more suited there.