Change secondary school offer to 3rd choice

[Umummy]

Hello everyone,

My daughter got her 2nd choice of secondary school, but now wants her 3rd choice.

She found out a girl that regularly teases and bullies her is going to the same school and now is panicking. Her anxiety and stress and been through the roof aince she found out.

I plan to call on the 23rd and put her name on the waiting list for her 1st choice. But what are chances we can ask for 3rd choice instead?

Does anyone have any advice or experience in changing schools after the offer date.

Thank you in advance

Just remember mean girls are at all schools.

As above ^^

But in answer to your question, you can go on as many lists as you want. Remember there was a reason you put the order you did.

Read the info on your local school admissions website. In my experience, because you were given your 2nd choice, you’d have to make another application for the 3rd choice school which would be classed as a late application. Chances of getting in depends on if the school is full or not obviously.

You should be able to go on the waiting list for 3rd choice - contact your LA for advice as to how to do it.

Also, I dare say all schools are different but we had the opportunity to tell the secondary school of any issues such as this so that they could be put in different tutor groups.

Are the primary school doing anything about this behaviour?

I feel stressed seeing her like this, but sadly you're right.

Thank you, that's what I'm hoping I can do on the 23rd.

Yes, the school have spoken to the girl on several occasions but she still tries to intimidate her and makes comments. We moved to the area 2 years ago so my daughter was the new girl. She's quiet and shy but loves school. We were hoping this would be a fresh start.

Also remember that high school is a totally different pond, the big fish at primary schools often become little fish at high school or have a much bigger selection of little fish to pick on.

Definitely speak to the schools transition team early though and let them know, they would likely place them in separate forms, and even timetables if the school is big enough (ours has A & B timetables for example).

When ds started secondary the only boy he knew going to that same school was one who caused him endless problems at primary. He loves the school but was upset he was going there. However I contacted the school in advance, gave them some history and asked that they be put in different form groups. The school were happy to do so and he barely ever crosses paths with that boy ever since (he's Y8 now).

How big is the school and how does it assign classes/groups? if it's a big year group they may split the year group into 2 or 3 for timetabling purposes, so DD would never really come in contact with a student in a different group. Schools also generally allow you to specify children that you do not want to be with (if good reason, as in your case).

By all means pursue a different school if you think that is best, but I'd reassure DD that just because her bully is at the same school does not mean that their paths will cross.

Depending on the size of the school, there will be half or quarter year bands. If they’re in different bands, their paths will rarely cross.

Theres a lot of work that goes on at transition time, liaising with primaries to ensure a positive start to year 7. It’s worth speaking to the school, letting them know some of the history and asking they they be put in different forms.

Thank you, that's what I'm hoping I can do on the 23rd.

Yes, the school have spoken to the girl on several occasions but she still tries to intimidate her and makes comments. We moved to the area 2 years ago so my daughter was the new girl. She's quiet and shy but loves school. We were hoping this would be a fresh start.