Moving schools

[itwasarubythatshewore]

Not sure where to start with this or how much information to give, but basically I would like my DS (just gone into year 1) to move schools because I am really unhappy with the school he is at. I don't want to write a huge essay but the summary is that he is really struggling with reading, his first year of school has not been a happy experience for him and I am not at all confident in the school's ability, or interest, to turn this around.

There are two schools very close to each other, A & B. B (is actually closer to my house) was my first choice and A my second. B was massively over subscribed so only children who lived about 0.25 mile got in. I was actually happy with A based on an old Ofsted but realised there were problems quite soon into his reception year. The head was replaced, the received a Needing Improvement report last year and another this year.

I did raise some concerns but nothing really happened and I haven't followed them up really, which I need to do. I looked at the forms for moving schools and I know I will have to give reasons for wanting him to move. What are considered good enough reasons? What steps will I need to take with his current school before it would be considered? His current school is CofE and very religious - could I say we have changed our feelings about that, or would that be wrong/futile? WWYD? We are working very hard with him with the reading, although feel out of our depth and looking for tutors in the meantime, but I really just want him to be getting support and good teaching at school. I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice.

Its horrible when you feel worried about the standard of teaching at your child's school. Are you on the waiting list for school B?

Would you like me to suggest web sites where you can get help teaching your son to read? I don't think you need a tutor at this age if you read up on the best ways of teaching a child to read. It isn't that hard to teach your child if you know the right way to go about it. I think that mixed methods confuses children and make it a thousand times harder. I suppose the huge challenge you have is that you need your child to change schools to get away from the mixed method teaching.

The reading reform website has lots of information on teaching a child to read and you might be able to find a tutor if you want to go down that route.

You don't have to justify your reasons one bit. You don't need your current school's permission either. You should be on the waiting list for your preferred school, if not get on it. If a place comes up and you're at the top of the waiting list you should be offered it and you move. As simple as that. The difficult bit is waiting for a vacancy..... Have you looked at other schools?

He's not on a waiting list, no. I called the school I would like him to move to and they told me they didn't have one and that it had to be handled by the council. I was directed by them and the education department at the council to complete this form and on the form it asks for detailed reasons and for you to state what you have done to resolve any issues before applying. His current school will be told as soon as I make the request.

Thanks for the link ReallyTired. I have to go to work, but will come back to that later.

Just complete an in-year application form and send to your LEA. They are not supposed to discuss anything with your current school, it has no bearing on your eligibility for your preferred school, that is just based on how you meet the admissions criteria.

If they do insist you use their form leave that section blank.

Local authorities have the right to use a fair access protocal to enable children who are difficult to place to get a school place. In those sort of circumstances your child would take priority over children who are higher up the waiting list for a school place. For example if your family had moved 30 miles, or your son had been permamently excluded from a different school or your child had medical reasons for changing school then you might get preferental treatment. Otherwise your name will just be added to the waiting list.

Thank you all. These comments have been very helpful.

I spoke to the headmistress today and have got a meeting booked with his teacher and another manager next week. It was a very frustrating and cross-making telephone call and email exchange, but needed to be done anyway because even if I applied to change schools tomorrow, it wouldn't happen for a while and he needs help now.

I downloaded the form and will have another think before completing it.

tiggytape I take your point about how one can't be guaranteed that a different school is the answer, but I speak to mums at both schools and there is marked difference between how the parents at both feel. And it's not just the issue of how well he's doing - there are lots of other small(er) things that overall add up to somewhere I would like to get him out of now.

I'm not expecting perfection, but the current situation is really not great