we moved to a new area and my ds 1 had to change schools at the start of the summer term. He seemed to settle in well initially and was invited to playdates and parties. They then mixed up the classes and made the bonkers decision to put him into a class which did'nt have any of the kids he had been playing with. Since sept he has really struggled to make friends and has found playtimes particularly hard. He has got one friend, but that friend has been playing with other kids quite naturally and then my son spends time wondering around or on the periphery of the games. It breaks my heart as I know he is fine interacting with kids one to one. At the old school he had two strong friendships. However I think he finds it hard to join in with group games (he hates football!). The school do'nt seem to have any sort of buddy bench or busstop and I just wondered whether these strategies actually worked in other schools or whether there was anything else out there. He has been invited to two parties only and I feel that I am always hassling other mums for playdates.