preparing child for changing schools after easter

[jellyandsoup]

Hi wondered if anyone can offer any advise on how best to prepare our son for moving schools after easter. He is in yr 1 and is happy, he is very sociable and had lots of friends. Today we have been offered a place at a very good school just round the corner from our house.

We applied for it because we are unhappy with his current school, they have been in special measures for a year, with little improvement. The new school, although quite a lot bigger has much better facilities and seems like a much more positive place.

Anyway our son knows nothing of this yet ad we didn't want to unsettle him without knowing if he would get a place, u have arranged for him yo look round the school on Thurs, but what else can i do to prepare him for this move?

My daughter moved between reception and year 1, so not mid year but same sort of age. We emphasised the positives of the new school and arranged some playdates with girls in her class before the term started - could you get a class list and do that? Also reassuring her that she could still see her old friends (though in reality she hasn't really kept up with them much). It was very little disruption in the end.

PS it was also from a small to a big school, which she really took in her stride.

That's great thank you. We don't know anyone in the right year group, but know a few in year 2 and reception, but i will definatly try to sort out some play dates.

I don't think it matters which year they are in - if your son has someone he knows in the playground on the first day that will be very helpful.

DD had several children join her classes from reception and then she herself moved at year 3. In our experience, a new child in the class becomes the centre of attention (somebody different to get to know and play with), rather than being overlooked. Luckily parents in the class were happy to share email addresses so it was easy to arrange a couple of playdates over the summer. With a mid-year transfer, they'll probably give your son a buddy (either in the class and/or year 5 or 6).

When we showed DD round the new school I was careful to point out things that I know she would be interested in. I also stressed that we'd still keep in touch with her old friends if she wanted to.

We have had several join our class. They have all settled in fine. Parents have made an effort to get to know people in the playground etc which means they got play date invites sorted quickly