How to best manage a change of school mid year

[onetiredmummy]

My DS1 is changing to a new school after half term, this is his last week at the old school & he's in Yr 4. We've had a visit to the new school & met his teacher & class, his uniform will be here on time & I've been very positive about the move :) DS2 is in reception & is a happy boy & will just slot in hopefully, but DS1 can be a little sensitive at times & finds it hard to make friends as nobody in his year group at the old school shared his interests (maths & chess).

Will the old school pass the details of his levels/work to the new school so someone will notice if his work is dropping in standards? Or do the new school prefer to assess him with nothing from the old school?

Is it usual for him to take a few weeks to feel comfortable?

If he comes home & says he hates it what do I do?

I'm probably anticipating problems where there will be none, but I've not done this before & I want to do the best for him.

The old school will forward his records but the new school will observe him and make their own minds up. They'll also talk to the old school on the phone in some cases but they generally just start him off on low level books etc and see how he gets on.

My 7 year old year 2 son just changed school. He has SEN and has ADHD and other ' things' so I was a little concerned. He's been there almost a month now and is settling down nicely and has made friends. We've had a few issues with him poo ing himself ( delightful child! ) which I've put down to the change and I'm handling that kindly but firmly ! He's said once or twice he doesn't want to go ( but only when feeling tired or being silly ) and I deal with that by just jollying him along and distracting him and then he's fine.

Just approach it in a calm way and don't overthink it. My DS is doing well and if he can settle down with his issues then I'm sure your son will do fine

its hard to say due to time of year.

we moved 1 term into year 2

where i had to chase old school for eldests work.

then delivered it to new school.

im not sure if the schools ever spoke to each other via phone, email or post.

The new school had years1 school report with nc levels.

for the 1st term- nov-jan they dident change here levels as dident have enough evidence wasent until end summer term that she had progressed.

I dont think child will make huge amount progress in 1 term in this case june-july. I expect theyw ill go off old schools assessemnets as its no sats year, I imagie same happen for youngest in reception with his efys scorings.

on plus side eldest moved before xmas lots fun things on that term.

same summer term sports day, trip fetes, lots outdoor play, pe, afterschool clubs could be nice fun term to move.

what I have noticed is kids are very adaptable as moved middle childs preschool was hard at first but shes been fine.

eldest move went well and feels like shes been there forever.

lots of kids seem leave in year 4/5 for nearby prep schools.

be positive right thing every childs so different.

Hi onetiredmummy:

DD2 changed schools in Term 2 of Year 4 and the change in her is unbelievable. We've been very lucky - it's a welcoming school, the children have instantly included her and made a point of greeting her those first weeks when she was shy and kind of hid behind me.

My advice is treat the time left in the school year as time to adjust. Don't have huge expectations - but try and find things about the school which your DS can get more involved in next year.

We made a point of having a few play dates with old school friends, to keep life social/ busy for DD2. But slowly, new play dates & party invites started to happen at the new school and now about 10 weeks on, we're quite settled really.

My advice is see if your DS can join some after school clubs he's interested in. It may be too late this year, but look out for those opportunities next year. If possible keep a few constants - so if your DS goes to cubs or swimming, etc...., keep that up.

Many schools are offering after school 'coding' (computer coding) clubs and I know of some with chess clubs. So my advice is use the remainder of this school year to scope out things to help your son really settle in next year.

We genuinely couldn't be happier to have changed schools for DD2 and I hope it goes as well for you.