Moving schools

[jenny781]

My 2 children are due to start their new school from Monday. My older child in year 3 is very upset about moving schools and only just told his friends today, he refuses to talk about the move. He's always been a shy kid, when he started reception it literally took him the whole year til he finally felt comfortable talking to his teacher! He's fine around the children, he just get shy around adults and always on best behaviour Because he doesnt want to get in to trouble (not the same at home tho, complete opposite lol). Anyways he's become so much more confident since starting junior school, he's got a good circle of friends who he was also friends with in year 2. He loves his teacher!!

They are moving due to moving house. My younger child isn't too bothered and actually is looking forward to it.
As the date to starting is getting closer, I've actually been completely fine about it and just generally nervous that I hope they are able to make new friends Quickly and hope it doesn't impact their learning.

But today I found myself unable to stop crying at the thought of him going to a new school leaving that which he is familiar with! My throat tightened up to the point it was really hurting but I couldn't stop myself, just typing this is making me start again... I don't know why it's upsetting me so much
I know the new school is a better school, very hard to get in to, so we were quite lucky to get a place mid term. I just don't know why all of a sudden am so upset.
Can anyone leave positive experience on their child when they moved school at a young age. A hoping it will make me feel better!

My DC just moved school in Sept, at beginning of Y2. They were also a bit reluctant as very settled at previous school (we too were moving house and new school is better, I think). It's been ok, for the most part. Some ups and downs and issues with settling into a new group of friends, but we're getting there. It is really such a massive thing for them and it's challenging to go into a class who've, for the most part, been together since reception. As well as dealing with the social side of things, there's also getting used to the way things are done in the new school, styles of teaching, getting to know all the teachers, etc. It's a lot for a little person to handle! So I think not underestimating that is important, as is also not over egging it. So, when DC first started we gave lots of praise for how brave they were in the first few days, etc. I've also acknowledged how challenging it is, without giving any impression that those challenges are insurmountable.

I think what has helped, harsh as it sounds, is that when they have wobbles I've made it clear to DC that there is no option to go back to the old school and that this is their school now. We've also organised playdates and are trying to get involved in the new school (PTA, etc) to help DC feel a greater sense of belonging. But ultimately, it takes a bit of patience. DC is a confident and outgoing child, but it's still going to take them a while to figure out their place in the new class/ school.

My twins moved schools two weeks before the end of year 1 and the school move was also the first time they had been put in different classes so it was a big thing for them (and me - infact I think I was more emotional than they were)

I’d say the first term was a bit up and down but after that they settled down well and if you ask them now (yr 4) they say moving schools was the best thing ever and they’d never want to be back at their old school

Things which helped were lots of play dates (ask the teacher’s advice on who to invite) and also getting involved in clubs - both the school run ones and local ones which kids from the school also did - eg football team, Beavers/Cubs etc
They did breakfast and after school club too which helped them make friends in other year groups and feel like they knew more people across the school which also helped (it seems there is some ‘kudos’ in the yr 6s knowing your name when you are only in yr 1 or 2!)

I made sure I got on the parents WhatsApp and Facebook groups and helped out with the PTFA so I got to know some parents which also helped us all feel more part of the new school community

Good luck, hope it all goes smoothly

Thank you

Glad to hear it's going well for you both, I know it's just a case of settling in and getting used to a different atmosphere, children are so much better at adapting to new environment I guess.
Thank you for the advice on joining Facebook groups and taking part of PTA, I will get involved to make us all feel part of the school a lot quicker!

My older child seems a bit better today and has been practising how to do up his tie as it's part of his new uniform! Xx

Hi - we did this nearly 5 years ago moving DD in the middle of Year 2. It was a move to cut down DHs commute and one that was a real wrench for both DD & me - she was in a lovely small village school, doing well academically and had a wide circle of friends. We moved closer to London to a more urban area and the local Primary is three times the size of her previous one. Being honest, the first year wasn't great and one particularly lovely child decided that no one was allowed to play with DD and she was often on her own in the playground. I did honestly feel like we'd done a bad thing by her and there was quite a lot of going back and forth with the teacher who was loathe to believe this particular child was being so vile (until other children basically confirmed it!). Scroll on to four and a half years later, she left this Primary in September extremely upset to be going with a very good set of friends, house captain and great SATS results. Basically, it took time and everything worked out well as I'm sure it will for you, there may just be some first 12 months lows and that's ok! What I'd recommend is:

• Gently loosen the ties with old school friends. DD saw them very regularly in the first 12 months & decided she didn't want new ones. I don't think this mindset helped!

• Research what clubs are available in and out of school - DD did numerous (ballet, choir, rugby, Brownies, Scouts, musical theatre) and they really helped her get to know other children with similar interests in and out of school. They helped me get to know a few of the local Mums too

• Set up more play dates than you'd usually want to do

• As well as the schools parent Facebook page (if they have one) join the local community Facebook page - it'll probably be full of moans about dog poo, Brexit and parking restrictions but family activities will get advertised on there. The

Hope it all goes well!