Moving late primary - how and when?

[Hopefulmove]

In a nutshell:

DS is in Y4. DH recently got a new job which involves a 1.5hr commute, the reasons for the job change are complex but suffice to say it's a long term change. So we are considering our options; we are thinking of moving nearer to the new job.

There is no big rush; we will have to sell and buy so it will be a slow process anyway but I'm trying to work out what's going to be easiest on DS. As I understand we would need to have completed on our sale and purchase by the end of October when he is Y6 (so October '23) in order to apply for secondaries in the new area. But 1.5hrs is way too long for a school run even for a few months so then does it make more sense to move before he starts Y6 so he can do Y6 with some kids who will likely be going to the same secondary? What about moving part way through Y5 - better to have more time to find friends and settle in or better to move at the end of a school year?

Obviously I'm just thinking aloud atm, lots to think about. If it's relevant DS is popular enough and makes friends readily. He is fairly academic (on track for grammar in the current area though the new area is non-grammar which we prefer). He enjoys outdoor sports but has no special talent. Don't know if his personality affects whether it's best to move sooner or later?

Get on and look for a house, move him schools when the house move goes through. Moving house is enough of a nightmare without working it round school terms.
It's not a big problem if a primary child moves mid-year, especially as he's obviously quite bright. Even if it ends up being a June/July move, arguably it's a bit easier to settle in to the new area than arriving at the start of the summer holiday and then not meeting classmates until September.
The bigger problem might be if all the local primaries are oversubscribed - obviously your priority is likely to be secondary catchment, but it's worth doing some research to see which primaries are more likely to be able to take him.

I agree with PP. You will have to move him, so I wouldn't worry too much about when. Whilst the start of the year feels logical, and works well in terms of finishing up with one teacher, it may cause more anxiety as there is lots of anticipation.

The buying process is tricky to time, so I would just go ahead and see what happens.

You absolutely want to be there before Oct of Y6 for secondary applications.
So, get the house on the market, move when you've sold. Moe schools at the same time.
DS1 started May half term Y5. DS2 started May half term Y3. Due to his personality, which sounds similar to your son, DS1 had the easier time.

We live in Oz but similar situation. We moved half way through Year 5 for daughter ( son was in Year 2). Finished the year at old primary school and started years 6 and 3 at new school near new house. Daughter made new friends, nearly all went to local secondary with her ( they all made new friends too).

Thanks for the reassurance. I know from experience that trying to move home within a specific window is unbelievably stressful so good to know we could move at any point in Y5 and be ok.

I can understand your anxiety but looking back quite a few moves happened in Yr5, guess it's the secondary school factor.

How easy a child settles depends on the old school/new school but even if it's not the greatest move in terms of friendships it will only be a short time before secondary.

Primary feels so important when you're at that stage but once in secondary you realise how relatively unimportant it is.

If the house move is essential then I would focus on getting there and being in good catchment for secondary.