When to tell dc they are moving schools

[babyguffingtonstrikesagain]

We put the application in last night and have no idea how long it will take but could be quick as there are places at the school and we have requested they move asap.
Would you tell them yet? Or wait until they have been offered the place?
We don't want them stewing about it for ages before the move, but equally we don't want to have to spring it on them at the last minute. Our Y5 will be delighted but our Y3 I imagine will be less keen on the idea and will I think need at least a little time to get used to the idea.

We’re just doing this. I asked them hypothetically how they’d feel about it. Then I told them for sure when we’d got the places confirmed. We were telling their current school then, and wanted to wait till they could tell their friends.

Thank you. We emailed their current head already but told him that the girls are currently unaware. Apparently it's his decision whether they get to move before the half term break so we thought we'd get in there early. It's just hard not knowing how long these things take.

Moved my twins end of year 1 from small infant school to 2 form entry primary. Told them a week before when I knew the places were confirmed - at the weekend. They went for half day visit on the thurs, back to old school to say goodbye on the Friday and started new school on the Monday after.
Worked well, enough time to process but not long enough for worry and stress to build.
They were more upset about being in separate classes (that was actually my reason for the move - I knew they needed space from eachother) but within a couple of weeks it was all fine and they have thrived (yr 5 now)
Incidentally it is not down to current Head whether they can move before half term or not - if there are places in new school and that school is happy for them to start ASAP then it’s nothing to do with current Head :-)

I'm moving my year 1 child soon, once our house sale has gone through. He's known from the beginning that the move means he'll be moving schools. It's given him chance to ask questions and get used to the idea I think.

If you are in England it is not the HT's decision on when you get to move. You can move as soon as the receiving school says it can take them!
iirc from other threads, some LAs have procedures in place to say you should get the HT's agreement (I think to stop people moving as a gut reaction rather than sorting things out with the school), but I am pretty sure @prh47bridge has said that's not really permitted.

Where are you? it is absolutely not the HT's decision.

Soon. I went to a lot of schools due to my df being in the military. They went through a of phase of leaving telling me about dad's postings as late as possible. I hated them for it.

Thanks everyone.

We are in England. It's their new Head who told us that their current Head needs to approve a quick move. I'll check with admissions once we're offered the place.

I'm checking my emails constantly. I just want them moved. Any idea how long this might take? No waiting list.

No, insisting on getting the agreement of the existing school's head to a move is absolutely not allowed. It is frustrating that some LAs still try to insist on this. Similarly, the head of the existing school has no say over the timing of the move. If the preferred school has places available, they should be offered immediately and you should be able to take them up immediately.

Okay, just need to hope that the admissions process is quick then. We put the online application in on Sunday evening...

Does your new school definitely have places for both of them?

The head said they do.

The trouble is that even heads are not always familiar with the admissions process. If places become available, they will be filled from the waiting list (if there is one). If no waiting list then you would be given the place.

@babyguffingtonstrikesagain

Thanks everyone.

We are in England. It's their new Head who told us that their current Head needs to approve a quick move. I'll check with admissions once we're offered the place.

I'm checking my emails constantly. I just want them moved. Any idea how long this might take? No waiting list.

I'm surprised the new head said that. School census day is on the 1st October so most heads would want to have new children on roll by then, which they could easily do if they get a wiggle on.