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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

WWYD - move schools or keep at the same one?

24 replies

DrJZoidberg · 02/08/2017 15:34

We are moving house a few miles down the road and need to decide whether to keep dd at her current school or move her to the one right near the new house. If she stays where she is now, we'd have to get buses there and back from the new house. It's not far but the route makes it half an hour each way. The other school would be a five minute walk.

I can't decide how much distance should be factored in when it's weighed up with her happiness at her current school. Buses will cost us about £100 a month. I can afford that but it seems a lot compared to just walking round the corner!

My heart says she's happy where she is but my head says £100 a month is a lot if our finances change. And then my heart says she has friends and my head says she will make new ones. It's so hard!

What would you do?

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pastafairy · 02/08/2017 15:39

How old? How long will she be at either school?

OnlyHereForTheFeminists · 02/08/2017 15:54

I moved schools halfway through primary and I wasn't really bothered by it. However I already knew a girl who was in my new class so that made it easier.

My parents made sure I kept in touch with my best friend from the old school as well. Invited her to ours regularly, drove me to hers every week, that sort of thing. I think if you can help your dd to stay in touch with one or two people it might make it easier.

OrphanAccount · 02/08/2017 15:55

Does the new school have spaces in her year group? Many schools are oversubscribed and you may have to wait for a place even if you do decide to move her.

OnlyHereForTheFeminists · 02/08/2017 15:57

Just realised you asked WWYD. I would ask my dc what they thought, then if they decided to stay at the old school maybe ask again after a few months of getting the bus. If finances changed and we were struggling then I would move them.

LetsSplashMummy · 02/08/2017 16:00

If she's in the early years, I'd move her. If she's in her final year and the high school is the same for both schools I'd stay put. If she is in the later years and the high school is different between the schools, I'd move her now.

Bin85 · 02/08/2017 16:00

You need to see the nearby school in action.Does she know anyone there?

OrphanAccount · 02/08/2017 16:03

It's a tough one. I changed my DDs school in Yr 1 for similar reasons. We moved and her old school would have been doable but it would have meant me driving a hour twice a day. I decided that wasn't sustainable so moved her. I had to wait a while to do so as my preferred local school was oversubscribed, but a place came up about 4 months later. She settled well at her new school and I have made an effort to keep in touch with her old friends and see them at weekends/holidays. That made the transition easier.

zeeboo · 02/08/2017 16:08

I'd visit the new school in case I preferred it. If I did then decision made.
I'd speak to my dd to gauge her level of attachment to the current school.
Check the new school has places, again, that could decide the whole thing for you.
Currently I wouldn't move my child but that's because I've been a parent at the school since 2006, am personal friends with so many of the staff, clergy and governors and I love the ethos of the school and how happy the children are and the amazing opportunities they have, which are far better than other schools in our town as I have friends that are always saying "I wish our school did that!!"
But I know some people don't have that level of attachment so if that's you then I think I'd move just for ease.
Do you definitely have to get busses? Is it more than 2 miles away? Or, you mention busses plural, could you just bus the longest section of the route thus saving some money?

Original poster

DrJZoidberg · 02/08/2017 19:08

Thank you for replies! Dd is going into year 1 and has been at her current school since she started preschool when she was 2. The new school has space for her. I'm so scared of making the wrong decision. If I try to move her later the space might be gone and then at the same time if I move her and regret it her space at her old school will be gone. I am stressed!

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RedSkyAtNight · 02/08/2017 19:39

If she's only going into Year 1, I'd definitely move her. Friendships are very fluid at that age and you'll be grateful not to have years of travelling!

pastafairy · 02/08/2017 19:50

Definitely move providing you like closer school. She's too small for proper friendships at 5 so won't miss it. Better to move now than later - is her current school really worth at least 6 years of buses? Where would any more DC go?

Boofy1 · 02/08/2017 19:57

I'm with Red. Still v young, so I'd move now, at the end of EYFS. It's all change (in terms of learning/curriculum, in Y1 anyway).
We moved at end of Reception. DD didn't pine for anyone. Has some fond memories of School 1, but they're anecdotal e.g. funny teacher dancing at disco, or worst meal at lunchtime, rather than friendship stuff.

smellyboot · 02/08/2017 22:54

At that age I'd move without a second thought. Long term she'll benefit massively from being at a school close to home and friends close.
She'll hate the long journey by year 2/3 when all her school mates live close to each other otherwise. Impromptu life shares, after schoo,l play etc etc all a huge benefit later on...and walkingto school alone by year 6

Original poster

DrJZoidberg · 03/08/2017 01:01

Thank you for your replies! Honestly they've helped so much! I don't think I was thinking long term enough in terms of her getting fed up of the travelling or missing out on having school friends nearby. I'm leaning towards moving her to the new school I think!

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GreenTulips · 03/08/2017 01:03

Yes I'd move her - closer friends - can walk home - long term she will have friends for senior school to walk with/catch the bus etc

IdentifiesAsYoda · 04/08/2017 12:23

Yes, in year 1., as long as the lose school is good enough, move her

bangingmyheadoffabrickwall · 09/08/2017 11:53

Children find transition a lot easier the younger they are. Primary moves up to Y3 are easier IMO/IME but from Y4 onwards, it depends on the confidence of the child.

Starlight2345 · 09/08/2017 12:00

yes so long as you are happy with other school..Have you visited the new school?

But in year 1 if I was happy with both options would move..

I also would not ask DD..At that age she will be told she is moving schools so she can make lots of new friends locally. The new children who joined our school in year one were welcomed like superstars.

MiaowTheCat · 09/08/2017 17:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AhoyPirates · 10/08/2017 19:50

I would definitely move her.

We moved house when Ds2 started reception but we made the decision to keep them at their old school. Reasons being it was outstanding compared to the good schools in the area we moved to, I drive, have a car and I am a SAHM.

I also walked them to school in snow which was a good 45 minute walk without wading through snow. But I had the time to do that.

You have to think long term, you are committing yourself to getting the bus for the next 6 years plus if your daughter is ill you have to collect her by bus and bring her back on the bus unless you get a taxi.

So I would definitely move her, walk to school, it will be bliss compared to the bus.

eyebrowsonfleek · 17/08/2017 12:44

She'll be grateful not to have to wait for buses in the dark and cold winter months.

Felicitychipmunkx · 23/08/2017 12:54

What did you decide?

Original poster

DrJZoidberg · 24/08/2017 19:01

I still can't decide! I really thought I'd settled on the new one but then I feel like in my gut that I don't like the look of the school. And then I get swayed by all the positives about it and settle on dd going there. And then I panic again and switch back. Why is it so hard! 😂

OP posts:

Felicitychipmunkx · 24/08/2017 21:33

When do you have to decide by x

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