Changing schools...?

[Suze1981]

Hi I have 4 children, 3 of primary school age, one is in reception, one in year 3 and one in year 5, I've always loved the school they're at, it was at one time one of the very best, but recently I've lost all faith in it, they had a terrible ofstead report, and my year 5 dd is having a terrible time with 1 girl in particular, none of my children are brilliant academically they get on ok, they try their best and are absolute delights to be around, and I think they deserve better than what they're getting! The head is currently off sick with stress due to the bad ofstead, and I see this as she has lost faith in the school, and if she has why should I keep it? I've spoken to another local school and the (amazingly!!!!) have space for all 3, this is a now fantastic school, glowing ofstead report and completely thriving, though 2 years ago it was in special measures, they have completely turned it around, but the only slight niggle I have is what if it slips again....? I've broached the subject with the girls and they're not bothered which school they go to, which is also ringing bells as if they were happy then surly they'd be adamant they wanted to stay.... Have any of you have experience with moving schools? Good or bad? What do I do?

I'd move them. Once an underperforming school is turned around, it generally means a lot of practices snd staff have changed and there's no reason to imagine it won't be able to keep its standsrds high.

For your year 5 dd's sake I'd move. Their current school will eventually improve but not in time for her, plus she's being bullied (assumption here based on what you said). Year 5 & 6 are important years - if she has a good experience she is more likely to be confident going into senior school. Schools take time to go downhill and a school that's turned it around will still have a close eye kept on it for a while. Also having turned it around they will want to keep it that way too.

I moved my DD recently in very similar circumstances. I agonized over it for months. The only regret I now have is that I didn't do it a whole lot sooner!

I agree with the poster above. I wish I moved my dd in similar circumstances a lot sooner than u did.

Sounds like a golden opportunity for a fresh start for your whole family. What have you got to lose?

Thanks for your advice, I'm going to have a look round the new school Monday/Tuesday, if I like it then I'll take the girls to have a look too and hopefully they will WANT to change schools, I worked in current school up till January this year and left for personal reasons regarding dd1, I went to this school as a child and therefor do feel some loyalty to it, BUT it's just not what I used to be when dd1 went there (she's now in year 10) and I think that it is heading toward special measures now.....