Moving schools (Y1) - during year or wait until new school year?

[Closetlibrarian]

We're moving house and have some flexibility in our dates so that we can either move at beginning or end of July. What's better? Move DC 3 weeks before end of school year so that they can meet new class and have possibility for playdates, etc, over summer? Or wait and move them at the start of Y2?

DC is confident and v. happy at school, if that makes any difference?

I moved mine for the start of the academic year and if I'd been able I think I would have preferred to move them for the last couple of weeks of the previous year - just the idea of the unknown really did niggle away at DD1's mind (she struggles with change and transitions anyway). Worked out fine as it did though.

We moved in the summer half term when DD was this age and it worked really well. The end of the summer term is very laid back generally, less stressful than September for a new environment.

Schools cannot keep a place open for you. If someone comes along before you, they get the place. Adopted children, etc would get in first. So do you actually have a place?

We moved during term time. I think it’s better to move at the start of the year to be honest - at the end of a term, kids have already got their friends and playmates and it’s hard for someone new to break in to it.

Better to come in at the start of the year, everyone’s been away from 6 weeks and all getting used to the new routine.

From experience of moving ds twice, friendships don’t really form until a few months in. Many of his early friendships have since been discarded as he worked out who he liked!

Thanks all - divided opinion!

Moved mine 3 weeks before the end of Summer term in Year 1 - meant they got to know a few people to meet up with over the Summer hols, and met their new teacher etc - was definitely the right decision for us - made for a more relaxing summer holiday as they knew what to expect in September

I think a move towards the end of the summer is better, as others have said it lessens the chance of worrying about the move over the summer, means there is the chance to make friends to meet up with during the summer break and more importantly means her name and face are known in the new school before September. T he Y1 teacher will have a chance to roughly assess her levels, she will be sorted into appropriate groups, her name will be on all the lists ( getting missed off happens and it can be upsetting). It will also be a more relaxed time to say goodbye to the old school rather than leaving it until the last day of the year when everyone is a bit rushed and hassled and goodbyes could be a bit perfunctory.

Let the first school know in plenty of time because of report writing etc, depending on when they write their reports you might get a full one, or possibly a brief summary. Ask about taking books so the new school can see her work, and possibly use the old books to save doling out new ones for a few weeks.

And there is always the chance that another child might sneak in and snap up an empty space if you don't take it up - most schools/LA won't keep spaces open for more than a week or 10days.

Depends on the school. If they are going to mix up the classes over the summer then the 3 weeks would risk him making friends then being split again.

I would favour a Sept start I think - parents are more geared up to playdates and making an effort with new people at the start of the year. Plus he gets a few weeks of "glamour" in being the new boy - children will make an effort to be friends with new joiners. This might get a bit wasted at the end of the summer term - come Sept he won't have established firm friendships yet, but he'll have lost that little boost of being the new boy.

Sorry I read DS, not DC

Yes those are all really good points. I think we will aim for Sept entry - makes the move less rushed too and also so we’re not moving house and starting new school all at same time. Thanks all!