Changing child’s school place for a second time

[Kgrd]

First world problems here but here goes.
We were given our first choice school for our son, this wasn’t our closet school or the school all his nursery friends would be attending but we just preferred it. He was very upset he wasn’t going with everyone else and I felt maybe I should of just sent him to the nearest school which is a good school. A place came up there and we accepted it.
however after a very shabby induction, and chat about constant supply teachers I am really regretting this swap and feel I should of gone with the original choice and not made such a knee jerk reaction.
Would it be cruel to swap him back to the original choice (he hasn’t started yet) or should I just leave it as it is. I realise I sound crazy.

There are no guarantees there will still be a place at the original school so I would keep this one and see how it goes for now. The knee-jerk was changing to begin with as many kids start primary not knowing anyone and adapt so quickly. It's inevitable he was going to be upset when he realised he wasn't going with friends but that's something you should have prepared him for and put a positive spin on. Now you've switched and he's had an induction it would be cruel and unsettling to mess him around again.

See how this school goes. There's a lot to be said for going to your local school. You've switched so he can move up with friends. You have to focus on those positives now, rather than the negatives. No school ticks every single box, as you are finding out, but you have to weigh up what is best for your child and family. You need to at least give this school a go now you've made the switch. If it doesn't work you can look elsewhere later but switching again before he has even started would be madness.

If it's a good school then I wouldn't worry too much about the induction, and would probably leave it. You can always move at the end of reception.

Who was talking about supply teachers? Other parents or the teachers/head? That problem might have been fixed for September. If it was the head saying "oh yes, we are never able to recruit for KS1" or something, that would make me more nervous.

Can you talk to parents with older kids at the school? Do any of the nursery crowd have older siblings? That may put your mind at rest.

I’d swap back.
always go with your gut for schools. It will never get better than the induction!

There is still a space at original school. It’s nursery parents that have said since the new head has taken over (3 years ago) there’s been a big change over of staff, and they are hoping it will settle down. It was even published on the school newsletter about current staff absense just explaining that there has been a lot of staff a sense but they tried to minimise the effect on children.

I would swap back and go for the school you thought was better. My daughter didn't go to the same school with any of her nursery friends and doesn't even remember them now (year 1).

It doesn't make sense to send them to your second choice school for 7 years, just to avoid a very short period of upset.

You took him out of a good school just so he could be with his friends. Now you want to take him out of that one (with sudden zero regard for his friendships) because you think the first one was better?
You really need to stop blowing in the wind like this and let him settle

He hasn’t started school yet, so that doesn’t apply.

Which is the better school in terms of staff, leadership and outcomes? There will be a reason why there is a high proportion of supply staff which usually points to the school leadership.

A well run school usually is better for DC and definitely for parents.

Ignore choosing a primary school based on where his nursery friends are going. At that age DC will make friends wherever they go.

He hasn’t actually started any school. He’s just done 2 afternoon stay and play inductions.
There was slightly more to it than just nursery friends. The second school is very close to our home and my daughter goes to the nursery next door so there is the element of convenience.
On looking round I liked this school but I just preferred thought the first school was better, which for outcomes it also is and they have a steady leadership. I wasn’t aware of all the staff leaving and absence until speaking to other parents at the induction.

There will always be staff turnover when head changes, some will try to follow, others object to change. You have not really experienced original school, maybe their induction organisation was also loose. Go for convenience. You could always swap later on when it is time to apply for your dd.

Staff turnover is completely normal when leadership changes and isn't always a sign of bad leadership. Often it can be the opposite, with new leaders bringing in much needed changes and set in their ways staff not liking it. It usually settles after a few years, once all the staff become people who were either bought in by the new head or ones who accept their way of doing things.