Would you move your child?

[warmbutteredtoast]

We moved to a new town in January and my 8 year old DS started at the only school that had a year 4 place, it's a 35 min walk away. He hated starting a new school but is now feeling more settled. A place has now come up in our local primary, 5 mins walk away. DS is adamant he's not moving again, he cycles to his current school with dad and enjoy that. But he's got 2.5 more years at primary school, and I wonder if local friends would be a big plus. The schools are similar in terms of academics and general feel, the 2nd school feels a bit more nurturing and also has a higher level of SEN. Would you move your child?

Not if he’s happy and meeting expectations. I’d need an active ‘problem’ at the school to move him now.

@OxfordInkling I wouldn't say he's happy or unhappy, just that he's accepted it. He misses his old school and friends a lot and hasn't made any meaningful connections at the new school yet

Maybe ask him if he would have a tour. He may door something he really likes and want to move. Does one have better trips/clubs/etc?

But really, if he likes the bike ride with dad, and likes the current school well enough, I wouldn’t move him unless he asked.

Thanks @OxfordInkling He had a tour with me, didn't like it but couldn't say why, I don't think he would have liked any school at that point ( hadn't started at other school at that point). Trips seem similar. I'm leaning towards not moving him, but a little nervous about my second starting at the local one and so having 2 different drop offs at the same time so requiring both parents, we also have a newborn so it's not that easy to get places although he will be older by then of course

I don’t think I would move him. I moved my DD for similar reasons at the same age & while she did settle in the end, on reflection it was an unnecessary additional challenge for her.