Hello.
We have two boys in Y5 and Y2, who had both been at the same primary school since nursery.
Our eldest was very unhappy after returning post lockdown at the class disruption (he is very studious, top at maths etc) and the whole class punishments for the actions of some of his classmates. We discussed changing schools with him and he wanted to. He moved 5 or so weeks ago and loves his new school (both schools are around 5 minutes walk from us, in different directions). There had been other issues at the school and I think this was the final straw.
It's been great and he says he is not worried about going to secondary as the transition has been so smooth. From being unhappy every day to happy every day has been an amazing thing to see.
His younger brother is however not troubled by class disruption and his class on the whole is very nice and he likes all the kids etc. He is also very good at art and the school has an absolutely amazing art teacher.
Academically he doesn't seem to be progressing as much as he should. We were lucky in that we had some time to homeschool him but many in his class didn't and the teacher has said they think it will take 2-3 years to catch-up, in contrast to other local schools we know who think they will, for his age group, be mostly caught up this year (I accept this might not be true, or not true comparisons). He finds the maths easy, he never reads in class anymore, his reading record is never checked (he finished his book 3 weeks before they changed it) and it just feels like he is being left whilst the teachers focus on others (which is understandable but not great for us).
The current school was known for being slightly more arts focussed, and the new school he could move to is known for being more academic.
My wife is worried he is falling behind academically and wants to move him but I am not sure.
We've done a pros and cons list and the new school comes out on top but he is happy at the currently school and the art really is great - he loves that lesson. He would know some people in the new school and it's effectively two schools as it has an infants and juniors so in Y3 they mix the classes, so if we did move for then it might be a good time to do it, and his brother would be there for 1 year.
I realise only we can answer this question, but my gut feeling is to leave him where he is for a year, but my wife wants to move him now.
If the art teacher left I think I'd be more inclined to move him.
Any thoughts?
Thank you.