Moving DD, yr2?

[goldpendant]

Hi everyone,

DS recently started a new school due to ongoing issues.., he’s only a few weeks in but is really happy so far and I’m so far very pleased with everything.

DD who is younger than him took the news pretty badly and had said she wants to move to be with her brother. The thing is, she’s got good friends and is pretty happy and settled in the current school.

Fundamentally I’ve lost a lot of faith in the original school and as a matter of principle I’d be very happy to move DD, but part of me thinks I should keep her where she is as she’s been so happy and has a good teacher this year.

How much say do you give a nearly 7yr old in these decisions? She is quite mature and has weighed up pros and cons and says she wants to move. The main reason is to be in the same school as her brother, followed closely by making new friends. I think she is excited by the newness of the prospect. Tempted to wait it out but there is space at the new school now, and there might not be in a few months time. Obviously it’s easier from a practical perspective for me but I’m trying to not think selfishly about it!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, particulate from anyone who has moved around yr2 mark.

Different circumstances but DS moved in y2 after a house move, he took a while to settle but us very happy now.

Thank you, I think that I’d rather move her now than in a years time, and I’ve got a feeling she will continue to badger me about it indefinitely if we don’t move her. What to do?! She says she wants to move, I want to move her, but she has been so happy!

Can you make enquiries about the teachers in year 2 in your DS’s school and find out how parents rate them and which classes have vacancies as it may help with your decision. Alternatively consider moving her there for start of year 3 as children often find the move easier at the start of the school year. Personally I think if you have lost confidence in the school and your DD wants to move the balance is in favour of moving. It would be a harder decision if she said she didnt want to move.

PS I have mived my DD twice for various reasons. She was happy in all schools and as long as your DD has some social skills at making friends she will likely settle in really quickly at her age.

Moved not mived!

If there is space then I’d hands down move her. You’ve lost faith in her current school, she wants to move and it’ll be easier on you having them together. No point staying if a big part of it is this year’s teacher, since she won’t have her next year. Also, at that age and presuming she’s got good social skills she should make new friends easily.

We have a friend with a DD in one of the Yr 2 classes (it’s 2 form entry) and they are very happy. I don’t know if the place is in that particular class but I have asked.

One thing I am less sure about is that one of the classes is a jobshare teacher set up, which I’m not against, but DD has had this for the last two years at current school and seems to be loving having just one teacher.

Right now I am leaning towards the move though. She will still see her friends (really she has a core group of two/three and so a move to broaden her circle would probably do her good too). I feel a lot of anger towards her current school and I need to not be angry anymore. She’s a reasonably confident little girl and loves making friends so I expect she’d do just fine once settled. Knowing big bro is there will help too. I think it’s rocked her to not have him around.