Moving DS to new school-when to do it?

[secondsister]

DS at quite a large independent school. After a lot of deliberation, we have decided to move him to a new school (I started another thread on this a little while ago but will spare you the details!).

A term's notice needs to be given but we wanted to move him as quickly as possible. I thought it couldn't hurt to ask whether they would consider half term-half term as a "term's notice" but have been told no, a term's notice will be from after Easter to July.

We could move him after the June half-term but would lose half a term's fees from his old school. We are thinking about the possibility of doing this (not ideal financially) but thought it would give him some time to settle in the new school. However, the half term after the June holiday is only four weeks. I'm thinking this isn't very long to settle him and he would have a new teacher when he goes back after the Summer holidays anyway. If he doesn't feel settled, he'll be worrying over the Summer.

I go backwards and forwards on what would be best. A fresh start after the Summer when his old school is a distant memory or four weeks to get used to the new one-I don't know!!

Can anyone offer any thoughts and advice??

TIA

How old is he ? Go for September as 4 weeks won't really be long enough and will be punctuated by sports day, end of year concerts, open day etc. Ask if there are any particular events or trips in which he can be included as part of his induction (at dc school when new classes are announced the children go to meet their new form teacher for half a day, including any new pupils for September) and for a point of contact for meeting up over the summer.

Hi LIZS, that's a good idea. I was going to organise another day at the new school and also have a look round again (just the two of us having a nose at everything!) a couple of days before he starts.

He is also quite good friends with one of the boys there already so I'm going to get him over to play a few times and see if we can organise one or two of the others to come too.

I think there might even be one or two other new children starting which might help.

He's 7 and a half, btw.

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My friend - very experienced primary school teacher - deliberately started her child two weeks before the summer holidays rather than wait until September. That way he started as an established member of the class. She said it worked really well.

But I think this might be okay whatever you do, especially if he wants to move and has a friend there already.

Do you know how he got on Cookiesnap? Two weeks doesn't sound like a long time to settle.

I suppose as well it depends on the personality of the child. Some get in there straight away and make friends, others take longer.

Of course, there is the uniform issue as well. I'd have to buy all the stuff for the new school before the Summer holidays-most kids seem to shoot up over the Summer!

I think it depends on what the new school will be doing. I came back to the same school for just the summer term after two terms away when Dad was working abroad. Best summed up as a nightmare - but I think that was the personality of my teacher / school. On a practical note - things like class choir, school play, all those kind of things are things they might not let him take part in because he hasn't been there long enough and has missed out on most of the preparations. But school might make a special effort with him - all depends on what he wants to do - can you involve him in the decision if you are undecided and there are advantages both ways. Also might make it easier to invite other kids round during the summer holidays if he started early ........

Does the school run any summer childcare? DD's runs a 4 week summer school. Great chance to meet the other children and staff (the normal school staff are there on a rota) before starting properly.

I think moving in Sept would be much less disruptive and a nice fresh start for him. There will probably be others starting at the same time so that would be better too.

I have forces children moving hither and thither throughout the year. I would categorically advise a September move. Children form their friendship groups very early in the new year - most have spent summer holidays with family and have 'forgotten' the intricate details of their relationships from the previous year, so start afresh when they get back to school in September.

We have parents who send the children in for two weeks before the end of the summer term, and this is generally a waste of time and effort. The end of the summer term is usually quite disrupted: children have firm friendships; assessment data is being collated; everyone's tired. It's not a pleasant time of year to come in to a new environment and to be expected to make friends. IME it doesn't really do any harm, but for all the inevitable hassle of moving school during the academic year, there are few benefits.

It's a good idea to get your ds's son's name down for clubs in advance - maybe research which clubs the children in his class/year group attend when you visit, then you can 'prepare' a social life.

Oh - good idea to go for the 'meet the teacher' afternoon/hour/day though!

Some good advice thank you everyone.
Also, good points about everything being a bit up in the air and not the usual routine etc. just before the Summer hols. Will have a look to see if they run a holiday club, great idea!

I think a Sept start is probably best. After Easter (when he has a month off ), he will have a 5 and a half week and a four week term, then he'll be off for the Summer, so it's not a massively long time until he starts at the new one.