Leaving small school for larger school?

[Whatispants]

Hi everyone. We are considering moving our DS age 9 from a small village school where he dosent fit in and has no friends, to a much larger (90 per year group) school 10 mins drive away. What I want to ask is whether anyone has made a similar decision for the sake of your DC happiness and social life, and whether it was a positive experience? Thanks

I haven't been in that position, but it sounds a very sensible thing to do.

As above. Haven’t done that but if you can manage the journey it sounds like a good idea. Should be wider choice of friends. Our son is at a 3 form school. I like big schools. Older son is at a 12 form secondary school which did worry me but it’s fine.

We moved our son aged 9 for friendship reasons - best thing we ever did for him.

Does he want to move?

My friend did. Her children are thriving now. Exactly the same situation as you, small village, tiny school and some friendship issues due to the tiny number of children in the year. The bigger school in the town ten mins down the road has made such a difference to her dc- both so much happier.

We moved from a school of 90 to a school of 180. It wasn’t because it was a small school but in retrospect it was the right thing to do. It can be very difficult socially when there are only a handful of children in your age group.

Sounds like a good move

Small schools are great when the DC start in reception and not so great the further up you go. I’d definitely do it.

We moved when mine were at the start of year 5 and 6 - no small schools involved though - and my DC found the school move very easy. In many ways every school is similar these days as so much is standardised. And their new classes benefitted from having some ‘fresh blood’.

@CurlewKate yes he does. He's just been talking to me for ages about how sad he is there and because he's different no one talks to him or responds when he talks to them. Hence posting on here because its hard to know what to do for the best... but he does lots of out of school activities with more varied children and seems to be so happy around them, that the only negative aspect of his life seems to be the current school from what we can ascertain

I think it depends why you want to move? If he feels he’s different and no-one talks to him, will this be replicated in a bigger school when it’s likely to be more difficult for attention to be given to the situation by staff? Do you know what’s actually going on for him at school? As moving when it may just move the same difficulties which needs to be attended to may end up with things being worse off? I guess why do you think things will be different?

We did the opposite as our larger school was going downhill. Settling in was fine. As others have said, new blood seems welcome everywhere! Go for it.

Please do it. I teach in a very small school. There are many children small schools just don't work for, my own children included. In a small pool you won't necessarily find people you fit with. Really hope it works out for you.

People generally seem to think big schools are bad, but it isn't necessarily so. Bigger pool of children for friendships, more extra-curricular activities (at a cost obviously) and the school will have more funding. I agree with other posters, sounds very sensible.
We haven't done this ourselves but children have moved to our school for the same reason (and settled well and been happy).

I would do so and hopefully he will find new friends. It certainly can't do any harm if he is unhappy now.

I would do it in your circumstances.