Should I move my son?

[Fens]

My son is in Y3 at an inner-city state school. He is a generally sociable child. He has loads of friends and is very happy. The school is not academically strong but it has always been a nice, relaxed place.

Recently all the good things, which counteracted the not stellar academic performance, started to change. The school had a poor Ofsted, then lost two heads in six months, as well as many of the good staff. The ethos also shifted. The school used to be warm and inclusive, but now it's far more arms-length towards parents and the head has just introduced uniforms. Worse, my son's Y3 teacher is awful (the Governors are concerned, but it seems to be hard to get rid of her). The teacher he is due to have next year doesn't have a great reputation either and kids who have already attained or exceeded the NC average are generally left to coast. After Y5 the teachers are meant to improve.

I want to move my son as I cannot face him being in this school until Y6. He's been on the waiting list for other state schools for a year but things are just not moving. He will never have a chance at the local grammar school without extensive tutoring (no one gets into the grammar unaided from his school and I don't know anyone who has gone onto a selective private secondary). He has a place at a private prep school in September if we want it, but I am in two minds. The private prep school is far more traditional and academic, but also has far better facilities and opportunities (playing fields, swimming pool, art studios, French and Spanish lessons). The children I know at the prep school are happy.

How do I make this decision? I feel as if I am choosing the kind of person he will become. I feel it might be a mistake moving him from a school where he is happy and the other kids are lovely (and diverse), but he doesn't get a very good education, into an unknown, mono-culture with a longer commute but far more academic opportunities.

Do not assume that by going to a prep school a child will become someone else by rubbing shoulders with the children there. Most children at that age are not much different and why would you not expect your family values to remain robust and constant? This school is not Eton, is it? Also, do not expect miracles from a prep school, either. The school you are considering has, by the sound of it, a lot of advantages over your primary school so I would take up the place. I would ask to go after the Easter holidays though!

Schools that are fluffy and kind but neglect the quality of teaching and learning are always going to get into trouble. Do not think that prep schools have all the best teachers either! The classes will be smaller and they will offer a traditional curriculum but you need to know it is well taught. It is not all about facilities and knobs and whistles. If you are moving for improved teaching and quality of pastoral care, then make sure they deliver this. By the way, I bet their uniform will cost you a fortune! All the primary schools around here have uniforms and have done for years.

Also, Headteachers can put teachers on the capability procedures which means they have to improve or they can be sacked. They must be offered support to improve. This is not something the whole governing body should be involved in, but it is possible and it does happen. It is another sign of a poor school that they have tolerated poor teaching. It will take a year or two to get your school back into shape so you need to decide if you can wait for that to happen.

I think you already know your answer.

"I want to move my son as I cannot face him being in this school until Y6.

and "He has a place at a private prep school in September if we want it, but I am in two minds. The private prep school is far more traditional and academic, but also has far better facilities and opportunities (playing fields, swimming pool, art studios, French and Spanish lessons). The children I know at the prep school are happy."

So unless it will be too much financially, I think you should take up the place at the private prep. Year 4 is a very good time to start at private preps and I bet your child will thank you for it in the future, when the alternative is so bad (and leadership could change again, so you may not be guaranteed a good year 5 teacher).

The prep may not be very diverse, but you can always go state again for secondary. To be honest, if you go for a grammar school it will probably not be truly diverse either.

Also, just to add, the prep won't decide what kind of person he will become, YOU (and your other family members) will.

If two atheists send their kid to a catholic school, it's unlikely he'll become Christian etc. It is your morals, ethics and beliefs that he will conform to (at least, until he's a teenager!).

We were in exactly the same boat (and are still with other children) at our local village school, which has been going steadily downhill.

We also gave in in Y4 and I would agree it is a good year. My DD1 was very good academically but has found that the poor teaching of a whole year (Y3) left some holes, despite us trying to top up at home. It just wasn't enough.

We were so unsure on so many fronts and in the end bit the bullet out of desperation. Really I couldn't be happier with the choice we made. Our DD1 is blossoming on all levels. I would say that the teaching/academics are strong but also the extracurricular they do really make that difference. Our child is excited about going to school every day as every day offers so many opportunities to excel or even try out something new.

My advice would be choose carefully but go for it...

If you can't face him staying at the school your answer is clear.

But the prep doesn't sound like the right solution for you if you don't like things like a school uniform.

Do you have any other options?