Moving child into year 1 to a more academic school

[Rainbows18]

I really need some advise as my daughter currently attends a coed non selective prep school but has received an offer to an all through girls school in South West London. We feel she would a good fit there as more academic and girls only and we would be able to avoid 11 + exam stress hopefully but my dilemma as she is happy at her school and has began to make 1-2 friends. What would you advise regarding my dilemma.many thanks

Also want people’s experiences with children’s settling in year one.

Move. No brainer. She is young and will make friends. Only consideration would be the commute. Would she be starting Y1 in September?

@Coronateachingagain - thanks for the advise.. Yes she would be starting year 1 in September. And distance is exactly the same too.

Much easier to move the younger they are-before friendship groups really evolve.

My DD had a good friend leave in year 1 whom she missed fir a few years but doesn't remember her now, she's 12 now

Thanks everyone for your reassurance and I’m also hoping moving her now will be much better and easier than later on.

Its a really difficult choice.
Questions to ask yourself :
Are you unhappy with the current school ?
Why do you think your daughter would do better in a selective school?
Completely get not wanting to go through 11+ stress!
Good luck

I had one move in Yr 1 and he was fine. I think the summer hols is a long old time at that age so they have that time to adjust.

Thanks everyone for the advise. Reassuring to know they generally adjust well.

Have the school confirmed they don't have to qualify into Y7 in some way? All the girls' schools I know in SW London either have their own entrance exam into Y7, or weed out girls they don't think can hack it by suggesting you move them. So you may not be avoiding 11+ stress with these schools. It's worth checking if this is one of your reasons for moving now.

@TulipCat; thank you for your advise. I think they do have their own 11+ but I hopefully far less stressful. But I’d be interested to hear other people’s experiences with this and if you feel sitting 11+ is manageable and gives more choice to the child in a positive way.

Hi,
Anyone here? I am in a similar situation and would
Like to ask some questions too