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Should I change my dc's school? Opinions please!

12 replies

Oakmaiden · 15/03/2011 16:15

OK - the situation is this:

I moved to the area in which I currently live about 10 months ago. We didn't know the area at all, and the primary school closest to our house had no room in its reception class for our youngest child, so we sent the children to the school that the interactive map we had claimed was the next closest.

There is nothing wrong with the school we have chosen - the children have settled in OK, they are learning stuff, they have made friends, etc. So that is all good. There are mild concerns that my daughter is not being sufficiently challenged and that the school is a longer journey away than the map we used indicates (as it gave a "crow flight" mileage, but you have to go all round the houses to actually get there), but again, these aren't major issues.

However, I have since discovered there is an excellent school, which is closer to us and has spaces in my children's year groups. Some of the children my little ones mix with socially (at Breiwnies/Beavers etc) attend that school. Also - critically, it has a free breakfast club and an after-school club that costs only £1. If they went there it would mean I wouldn't be late to uni because I could drop them off earlier, and I wouldn't have to pay £30 a week for after school care (their current school has no after school clubs, no nurserys/clubs do pickups from the school and all the childminders who pick-up from the school have no spaces - so I actually pay one of the other mums to look after them informally).

So really - I think the would be better off academically at the other school, I think it would not harm them greatly socially, and it would be considerably more convenient economically (money is really tight at the moment). BUT - big BUT - I really am reluctant to move them - simply because they have already moved schools. I can't decide what would be the best thing to do....

Any words of wisdom???

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
admission · 15/03/2011 16:34

Kids adapt very quickly. Providing that you are sure that the school will actually be better and this is not all about the before and after school costs i would go for it.

IslaValargeone · 15/03/2011 16:58

I would also move them without hesitation tbh.

AbigailS · 15/03/2011 17:13

Wow! Free breakfast club and only £1 for after school.
If you are happy with the school I'd say jump at it. They get to go to school with friends they already socialise with. It's closer. This will all make the move easier than your last one and as a previous poster said children do adapt. So many positives will ease the move.

IndigoBell · 15/03/2011 17:20

That's going to save you a lot of money. I'd go for it.

If they're happy now - chances are they'll be happy at the next school. Because being happy is partly a personality trait.....

diabolo · 15/03/2011 18:22

Go for it - especailly as they already have friends there who they see out of school.

littleducks · 15/03/2011 18:26

I would probably move them, could they start in sept or will the places be gone by then?

MillsAndDoom · 15/03/2011 18:28

I'd do it like a shot - they will adapt so easily - particularly if they already have friends there

skybluepearl · 15/03/2011 20:07

I'd move them but do it sooner than later.

crw1234 · 15/03/2011 20:20

Depends on how you think they will react- but it sound like it will be fine - and loads of good reasons to do so

pinkcushion · 15/03/2011 23:58

I'd check out how long the free funding is in place for. The lovely Tories are attacking invisible schemes like these - best to make the decision with your eyes open.

Gottakeepchanging · 16/03/2011 00:00

I wouldn't let the breakfast club and oos influence you. Chances are the funding for these will end very soon as the extended services/schools funding goes.

weeyellowbirdy · 16/03/2011 19:45

children are very adaptable. they have already proved that to you. they have friends there already so im sure they will have no problem settling in. decide on the academic standards and peer group etc not breakfast club and after school club - they may discontinue

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