Decision to move primary school?

[JanW1975]

My daughter is in now in Reception at primary school and has attended the same school/nursery since she was 3 years old.
over the past year I have been concerned about numerous factors and am considering moving her to a different school.
Here are the issues……

There is a very high turnover of staff and the majority are temporary, including head teacher and deputy.
The performance figures on gov.uk for children in KS2 achieving their expected grades has been gradually declining over the past few years and has now dropped from 69% (2022) to 40% (2023). The average across the borough is 55%.
The staff are not supportive of the PTA and are reluctant to allow any fundraising activities or events.
The school has recently had a security breech, with 3 men found hiding on the school playing field. The men accessed the grounds by climbing a fence in a neighbouring property. Police were called and the children went into lockdown. The school have been asked to build a bigger/more secure fence but are reluctant to spend the money. The Site Manager is also a dinner lady which is concerning when the property is not secure.
All parents evenings are done via Zoom, so parents rarely get chance to go inside. I never get to see my child’s classroom or work.
The school is lacking resources and is not financially sound.

Despite the above my child is happy and has developed some lovely friendships.

Another local school has very high performance standards. The school is well known for supporting its PTA, and has won an award for anti bullying. They have places available for Y1 students which my daughter will move up to in September.
My child is very confident and makes friends easily. She approaches other children and asks them to play with her.
My thoughts are that she is young enough to cope with moving schools without it being too distressing for her.

This is obviously a big decision and not to be taken lightly. I don’t want to move her but feel her current school is going downhill fast.

I welcome your thoughts 🙏🏼

Having a sibling at the school and being in catchment will certainly give you a higher priority spot on the waiting list but it would be unlikely that they would just be able to grant you a place. Technically the 30 child class limit doesn't apply in ks2 but most schools will not exceed this without compelling reasons.

If able to move her.

At her age I wouldn't hesitate to as long as you are happy that the other school will suit her. Do you know anyone with dc there who can tell you about the children in the class? Is it a happy/ calm class? Unfortunately once a class starts to empty out it can be harder to move to other schools as spaces elsewhere are taken so personally I would move sooner rather than later. Do be aware though that if they have spaces now for yr 1 then they mean the year above her. Generally with a state school they would expect you to move asap, this term. I would apply and see if she gets a space.

It is not really much different to moving from nursery to school which is a transition she didn't do. She will barely remember her old school in a few years. You need to be able to trust the school to look after your child (I moved a child in yr1).

I don’t know anyone at the new school but I’ve been given the opportunity to visit with my daughter for her to look around and experience the setting.

We made an appointment to visit this afternoon. I’m thinking my daughter will be having a summer break soon, so the transition may be easier, seeing as she will not have been to any school for 6 weeks.

I moved my son in Y1...worked well because the children were all 'muddled up' into different classes over the summer, so no-one really knew he was new. Plus they adapt very quickly at that age.

We visited the other school today and it was really good. The children all welcomed my daughter and held her hand whilst walking around the classroom.

The school has 3 awards….
anti bullying
platinum sports
live simply sustainability award

The majority of staff have been there for years and many of them have children who have been educated at the school or attend now. We walked around every classroom and recreational area. All staff were happy, engaging and spoke passionately about the school and the children. It’s a breath of fresh air all round.

The school has a place and welcomes my daughter. We asked her if she would like to go to school there and she said “Yes!” She wants to start in Y1, rather than a couple of weeks before they break up for summer.
We have decided to officially apply for a space.

Thank you to everyone who voted and to those who took the time to comment.

That's great news.

I'm a primary supply teacher and the difference between schools is vast. You have done the right thing and your dd will settle in no time.

You are doing the right thing, OP. I moved my son during reception year, because I didn't have a good feeling about the school he was in. A lot of people said "give it time" etc, but I thought the earlier the better, and honestly it has been a lesson in the importance of not always accepting well meant advice, because moving him was 100% the right thing to do.

Glad the visit went well. If they want you to take the place sooner then I would. Gives her a chance to make a couple of friends before the summer to meet up with and it saves it being a big deal over the summer break when she might get worried about whether she has made the right decision. It is also generally a fairly fun term.

Did you get a place at the new school? In a similar situation and reading older threads

Hi, it won’t let me reply using my regular username for some reason.
I did get a place at the new school and my daughter is very happy.
on day 1 she looked a little anxious and coy, but really surprised me by holding the teachers hand and walking into class. I expected tears or a little resistance, but didn’t get any. Obviously I was very pleased. She has been happy to go to school ever since. Never complains about going and sings on the way in the car.
On day 4 she said something that made me know I had made the right choice……..
”I miss my friends at * but I don’t want to go back!”
every day she tells me what she has been doing in class. At the old school o would ask her and she would tell me she couldn’t remember.
it’s a horrible decision to have to make but we are certain it was the right thing to do.
good luck

Thanks for responding, I really dont know what to do, id only we had a crystal ball!

Why do you want to move schools?
how old is your child?

My child has just finished his first year of school.
There are a few reasons but mostly because the school he is currently in, while nice, lacks a lot of resources such as after school activities and events during the year. Our first choice school, which he didn't get into have said they may have a place for him but worried about moving him as he is settled and has a little group of friends. Just weighing up if the long term benefits outweigh the disruption of a move. The other school starts at a better time also

I supposed it depends how much you need those resources. Your child will have settled but is young enough to make new friends easily.
I found the following webpages really useful. It told me about the school performance levels etc.

https://www.theschoolsguide.com/schools/primary/st-marys-rc-primary-school-141489/

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/schools-by-type?step=default&table=schools&region=332&geographic=la&for=primary&page=1

We moved both our children too (eldest was just newly in year 2 when moving him). It was an out of catchment school that had places become available from the waiting list, we moved for similar reasons to the posters here, they adapted after day 1 despite being hesitant at first, neither looked back. Both were happy at their old school as they didnt know any different, but very pleased with the decision and kids really adjust so quickly.