In year transfer

[Aduecaeshun]

Is it okay to change primary schools if you are completely dissatisfied with the present school? Has anyone ever done this? What's the best way to go forward? Please advise

Yes it is. You need to find schools with spaces and then request an in year transfer - there will be a form on your local authority website.

However, it’s worth being really clear in your mind about whether the things you aren’t happy about will actually be different in another school.

You need to contact schools in your area and see if they have any spaces in the year group. The LEA may also be able to tell you which schools have spaces.

What do you mean OK? Do you mean is it possibility? Or how well do children handle it?

Yes you can but be sure of why and that it's not a case of either undiagnosed sen, miscommunication or simply a case of grass is greener. My dc have changed mid year (house move 100 miles so no choice) and it was far from easy to settle them. I wouldn't recommend unless there's an alternative

@Holidaysarecomingocthalfterm Is it okay means Is it a possibility to change schools when the year has started. I want to change DCs school because I think they are not not academically great. The other school I want to change to is outstanding and also falls in my catchment area.

Of course it is. May I query what the problems are though? If they are directly impacting your child's education, happiness or both, I would always say it's worth considering. If your child is truly happy and settled and your issues/concerns with the school aren't directly impacting on them though, I would think twice. Your child's happiness is paramount.

Always do your research to ensure it's not a frying pan into fire situation. Check first whether other schools you are interested in have space in the year group(s) you need, then ask for a tour. It's especially worth investigating the areas which you feel the current school fall down on. Do they feel different/better at another school? Go with your gut. If it feels right, contact admissions in your local authority to make an application.

Does your other school have spaces? You can request a move but that is subject to availability, otherwise you join a waiting list.

@Thewholeplaceglitters

The school I want to change to is outstanding and our present school seems to have a very weak curriculum and I see no improvement in DD. I teach her maths at home and am surprised by how much she can grasp. Just hoping she can flourish in the other school because I have met mums who are extremely happy with the school. I also managed to look through their curriculum which is really good compared to the present school. It's only for academic reasons though!

@LIZS

I tired calling them yesterday but couldn't get through. Hopefully will try on Monday.

You apply through your local authority/council not the school direct. Some show vacancies online. What year group is your dd in?

@LIZS she's in year 2. I asked her if she's okay to move school and she seems excited 😆 .

Research very very carefully. 'Outstanding' (according to Ofsted) schools don't necessarily suit all children. Some can be quite pressured/stressful environments.

If your daughter is happy where she is I would think twice. How easily does she make friends etc?

Also, lots of outstanding schools are oversubscribed as parents are attracted by the label, so no guarantees there will be a space for her.

What is it you don't like about the current school's curriculum? You can only tell so much about that from reading what's available on their websites. Does your daughter study a range of subjects and explore a wide range of topics? What is it that seems 'better' about this other school's curriculum, other than what Ofsted had to say potentially some time ago now?

Definitely not a decision to make on a whim.

@BoleynMemories13 Yeah I do not want to make a hasty decision. So put it up on Mumsnet to get more advice on whether it is a good thing to do or no. I particularly feel they are lagging behind in Maths 😟

Have you spoken to the original school about your concerns? Class teacher, Maths Coordinator, Head? They might be able to explain why their curriculum is set up as it is and discuss your concerns with you. If both schools are state schools, there is a national curriculum for maths and I'd be surprised if there really was that much difference between the two schools.
That's not to say one school can't have better teaching, more engaged parents, serve a more affluent catchment or less SEN or disadvantaged pupils which can all affect peoples perception of the school.
Of course you can change schools, if there's a place available, but talk to the school first. They might surprise you.

It’s perfectly possible but the school will only accept more pupils if they have space in that group unless it’s key stage 2 in which case they may make an exception.

Many primary school follow White Rose or at least they’re all following the same national curriculum. What makes you think the other school is stronger?

When were the school last Ofsted carried out? There are lots of schools who haven’t been seen for 10 years.

Is it that they're lagging in maths, or is it your perception of what she should be doing in maths which is off? I only ask as the teaching of maths has changed so much in recent years, and majorly since we were at school. Mastery is a big focus now. It's not all about bigger numbers and rushing on to formal, abstract methods (such as column methods).

I'm sure you have researched, I just wanted to check that it wasn't your own misunderstanding of how you believe maths should be taught, based on your own experiences.

If both schools are LEA controlled in England they will have the same curriculum by law.

I wouldn’t move a kid just because ofsted says it’s outstanding. But if it is important to you and it’s a catchment school is there a reason you didn’t apply for it in the first place?

speak to the head and speak to parents with kids there for a flavour of what it’s really like.

in short yes you can, but there has to be spaces and nobody above you on the waiting list. At DSs school some arrived mid year and left again before the year was done!

@Clearinguptheclutter

When I check for schools within our catchment area the Outstanding one comes up as the first choice but it is nearly 25mins away by walk the one DD goes to now is just a 10min walk. The distance was the main reason we chose this school but. I always wanted her to go to the outstanding one (inspected in 2024). It was DH choice she goes to the nearest one and now he regrets it.

So there are a few issues to consider.

1. you will need to know if the school has any places. If it’s full, then she’s no chance of getting in
2. all state schools follow the same curriculum, so moving schools won’t make a difference there
3. often, outstanding schools are also high pressure schools
4. the distance from home between the OS school and her current school is very significant
5. she will have made friends already - making new friends kid year can be difficult
6. do not discuss moving schools with your DD until you have made a firm decisions AND got a starting date

Are there any closer schools which you may not be in catchment for? Catchment only applies when you apply for Reception(and occasionally Year 3 for separate Infant/junior school transfer) and if there is a waiting list.

You have no idea if you are able to move her - why are you discussing this with a child before knowing if it's even possible? Sorry, but you need better boundaries as a parent. The time to ask her what she thinks is after you have done your research, know what's possible, and what you want - only then should you be raising this with her

@sexnotgenders I know what I am doing as a parent and have not asked for parenting advice on here. Because if she doesn't get into the other school she'll be going to a private school anyway. She will not be staying in the present school as we have made our decision. I am getting her mentally prepared so she doesn't get a shock all of a sudden. Thanks

You can, you'll need an in year transfer form. Don't know if it's the same everywhere but in my LA the form has a section for the current school to fill in. I don't think they can stop you leaving but may want to discuss it ( in my case they didn't as it was due to a house move so nothing the school could fix).
You can apply even if the school doesn't have places and go on the waiting list. If it's practical they'll expect you to stay at the current school until a place comes up.

@Justploddingonandon

Thank you so much for the straightforward reply. Appreciate it