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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Moving from State to prep advice

10 replies

studentvera · 06/02/2023 20:13

Hi hoping someone who has done similar might be able to give advice. I'm moving my two boys from their state primary (which they love) to an all through private that goes to a levels.
I don't want to put them through the 11 plus and really love the private school I've found. By joining in year 2 and 4 in September they will simply continue into the senior part of the school come year 7. Has anyone done similar and how did you sell it to your kids? Thank you!

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studentvera · 12/02/2023 22:14

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TizerorFizz · 13/02/2023 08:58

My DD transferred to prep. I would never choose all through due to children being stuck in one place. It can be limiting for development and loads will leave anyway after 11 plus results. Shame they are leaving their friends. You can pull them out of 11 plus if it’s countywide. I would do that if you are otherwise happy. Do you need this nuclear option? DD didn’t take 11 plus. There are wider options post 11 and you have narrowed it down to one school already. I would stay put and apply post 11. All through schools select too by the way. They ask Dc to leave at 11.

sunlovingcriminal · 13/02/2023 09:16

My son started in year 3- but for context, it was end of infant school and everyone was moving to new schools.

I didn't really sell it as such as he was young still! But just said that me and his dad (we're not together), had decided that this school would be really good for him. It is an academically selective school and it suits him that way (and he doesn't stick out with some of the more geeky hobbies that he has as an added bonus).

It's in the same town as we were living in anyway, and lots of kids round here do extracurricular sport and scouts etc- so he still saw his old mates. He's now year 8 (through school as well), and still loving his "new" school.

He did have a bit of a wobble the first term he was there. I think our divorce plus the school move, and finding his feet with the rules, and expectations on how he should behave (compared to his old school), took a bit of navigating. But it literally was a term and then he was back to his usual happy self.

Overall I don't regret moving him. It is the best school for him- and I'm a great believer of picking a school that fits the child if you have the opportunity to do so.

TizerorFizz · 13/02/2023 12:56

@sunlovingcriminal The op
is trying to avoid selection at 11. Through schools do ask pupils to leave at 11 if they are not at the required standard. Otherwise they would be a safe haven for SEN Dc who need extra support. They are not set up for this. Therefore, yes, it’s a through school but academically selective.

11 plus is optional. Being de-selected from a through school is awful for those Dc. So it’s important to tread carefully. I do know schools that do this.

Couchpotato3 · 13/02/2023 13:10

Not quite the same thing, but we moved our kids several times while they were at primary and it was fine (we were relocating, hence moving schools). Just be bright and breezy about the move and talk about the immediate everyday stuff - kids are very adaptable and hopefully they will settle quickly. Good luck!

Original poster

studentvera · 13/02/2023 18:31

Thank you for your replies! Not worried about them being asked to leave at 11 as both doing very well at their state primary. More on how to sell it to them as such as both very happy however I can't face a year of hot house and tutoring and an exam!

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TizerorFizz · 13/02/2023 19:41

Don’t do it then! Are you a lemming? Just go private at 11. I am in an 11 plus county. It’s not compulsory to do all that tuition. Or take the exam. Especially if you want private anyway. I feel sorry for your children. Just leave state at the normal time.

Original poster

studentvera · 13/02/2023 21:54

I think you are confused. No not an 11 plus county. No grammar schools! I don't want the boys to be tutored etc for a common entrance at 11 so joining earlier seemed the perfect solution 🤞🤞 would love to hear from others that have done similar x

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Digletpiglet · 14/02/2023 06:57

We did it with our DC at Year 5 to avoid sitting 11+ entrance exams. Best decision ever. DC loves the school and is thriving. Focus is on learning, extra curricular activities and enjoying school. Not having to worry about preparing for exams is a blessing. We sold it on the basis that all of DC’s friends would go to lots of different schools anyway at Year 7. We make sure DC still sees old friends through activities and play dates. No regrets.

Original poster

studentvera · 14/02/2023 07:48

Amazing thank you for your reply. That's exactly how I plan to sell it. Thank you x

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