moving schools

[loosinas]

some people may recall i have asked different things along these lines before. there have been a few "straws" that have now broken the camels back and i really want my son out of his school !
how do i go about this ?
any tips ? please ?
do i have to have met with the head to try to resolve my problems before i approach a new school ? many thanks

My ds is due to start a new school in September.

There were a few problems at his current school, but I didn't have any faith that they would be sorted out.

Anyway, I decided I wanted him to leave so looked around at a few possibilities, then once I had found one I liked and ascertained there would be a place available, I told the head he would be leaving at the end of the school year. Head neither expressed surprise nor asked "why?".

Look around now before the end of term. With luck, your ds, too, could be starting a new school in September.

when you apprached the school you wanted did they ask any questions ? why you were moving etc?
can i ask how old your son is ?
thanks so much for your reply !

Oh, and to anwer your question more directly, you don't have to have any particular reason to change school.

Cross post.
The schools I looked at asked in general terms why I wanted to move and I gave them a summarised reason (I would still be there now, had I listed all the reasons). But I was asked in a "conversational" way - I didn't feel the need to explain myself as such.

Son is 6 and about to start Y2 in September.

IF I were you, I would ring around the schools you might be interested in tomorrow morning and ask whether they might have places for your son and if you could go for a look around.

oh same age as my son ! how does he feel about moving - my son really does not want to but im really not happy with his current school

My DD is 7 and moving in sept into y3 because her school has too many rubbish teachers and she's being left to drift and no one cares. She didn't want to leave but when we took her for a couple of visits to the new school and then made a fuss of buying new uniform, bag and pencil case etc, she's come round. She's still scared but is now excited too. I'd change ASAP if I were you, y2 is a critical year. Good luck

thanks so much ! really appreciate you telling me your experience x

Ds can't wait to change schools - he already refers to the new one as "my school" and the current one as "my old school". Having said that, he was a bit worried before his "taster" day - going there and meeeting his new classmates put his mind at rest.

It might not be too late to arrange similar for your ds, but I think you need to start moving tomorrow to get things organised in time.

(The little girl who is due to take ds's place in September has already had a taster day at ds's current school. I'm not sure how much she enjoyed it, though - one of the boys emptied an entire pot of yoghurt down her dress at lunchtime.)

oh crikey poor girl ! sounds like your son is best out of there ! i feel awful ive left it so late but it took something friday to really make me see red... will get on it tomorrow morning thanks so much for your help

We moved dd in yr2, having spent the summer hols worrying!

She started back to school in September on a Monday, we visited a new school on the Tuesday ( without her) she had a taster day on the Thursday and started at her new school the following week!

I did go in and see the head, after accepting the place, she understood my concerns, apologised for her chaotic class and said she would thrive in the new environment - she was right too - probably the only thing the school got right!

You don't need to explain anything to the old school, although the new one may ask to speak to them. I did take all
Her reports in and some of her work books.

thanks so much !

called two today i wanted but theyre both full for september.... dont know what to do :(

Phone up LEA and ask which, if any, schools in your area have vacancies.

Also ask whether schools which are currently full operate waiting lists. In the worst case scenario, at least you can be on a waiting list or two.

You apply to the LA for a place just as you would if you were moving into the area. They will be able to tell you which schools have places. If a school has a place available when you apply they must allocate it to you. Even if a school is full you can still apply. You won't get a place but you can appeal against the refusal to admit your son. If your son is in Reception, Y1 or Y2 that would be a long shot but you would have a better chance if he is in Y3 or later (or will be by the time he moves).

You do not have to say anything to your current school. Some LAs try to make you get your application signed by the current school. If that happens you should insist they process your application as required by the Admissions Code. If you have any problems with the LA come back here for advice.

Go on the waiting list for any schools you like. People move over the summer, and places do come available.