Primary school move

[BFMUM1]

Making this post because I really just need an outside perspective.

My children currently attend a great primary school and have great friends, however I have made the decision to move them both to the school I work in.

Although I hate to make life about money- the decision has been based largely on wraparound care. We currently pay £440 a month (even with me working part time). We are really struggling financially and although we have cut right back are resorting to cc/ overdrafts to get by each month. We have never been able to take the kids away on holiday either and every purchase is a huge stress.

Realistically, I know there are lots of pros to the move. I'll be there for every event, wraparound care is free, no stressful mornings/ after school but I cannot stop thinking about the fact I am pulling my children away from their very firm friendships. They are both lower school. They also potentially won't know anyone as they move to secondary as the school is very rural.

I tend to get in my head and fixate on decisions and am doing that now! The old school is now unlikely to ever take them back as it is oversubscribed. I have no one else to talk to, grandparents say I am putting money before them (but we cant keep paying what we are!) and other people say "its just primary school".

Thank you for reading the essay!

Your children will survive and you will be a happier person because you will be less stressed. Don’t listen to others - do what you have to do for your family. If you are unable to earn more money then this is the thing to do.

To be honest, I really wouldn’t do this. I understand it’s really difficult when money is tight.

I think it’s difficult starting at a disadvantage anyway but starting somewhere as the children of a member of staff is really awkward for things like play dates and sleepovers. Then potentially have to do it all again at secondary.

I really would keep them where they are.

It will be hard at first, but they'll adapt.
Having you be there for school plays and things, and having more time in their day will be huge advantages that they'll see straight away. Having less stressful parents will help too.
If I were you, I'd use some of the money saved to buy one obvious treat thing like taking them to a theme park for the day. So they can see that the move will impact them positively beyond boring things like a new washing machine/mum not being in her overdraft.
Good luck.

Are the grandparents willing and able to help out, either financially or practically? If no, then I woyld ignore their input into the argument. Assuming that there are places actually available to be offered to your DC (and yes, as an appeal panel member, I know exactly what the rules of the Admissions Code are, but equally - from the same position - one does occasionally have one's breath taken away with regard to a school’s admissions practices, shall one say), then I would probably apply for them and take them up.

My DD moved to a private prep from primary so why not? Of course they can manage and thrive. It’s a big saving and did you not get priority admission to your school in the first place? These aren’t lifetime friends at primary quite often.

Thank you all- yes we already have places as I am a staff member. An additional £400 a month is so much money for us and we will definitely pigeon some of it to do fun things that involve money (which we currently rarely get to do).

I think I am panicking as I am moving them from a school where they are happy- but the rational side of me knows they can be happy in more than one place.