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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Moving house and new school - when do children normally start at new school?

19 replies

NoahAndTheWhale · 14/05/2010 12:47

We are moving house on 7th June (a Monday) but due to length of move (160 miles) not sure when we will actually move in to new house.

DS is in Year 1 and have organised school place for him and was wondering when he should start new school. Do people generally start on Mondays or should I throw him in at the deep end so to speak?

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ChildOfThe70s · 14/05/2010 12:54

Do you mean that you will be in your new location in time for him to start school on the Monday at 9am? If that's the case and it gives you the day to get stuff sorted with the move while he's at school then I think it'd be a good idea. We are planning to move v.shortly and I'm hoping to do it during a school day so I'll be free during the school hours!

If you mean will the new school insist he starts the very minute you move to the area, I'm sure they will be understanding and not worry if he starts on the Tuesday/Wednesday or whatever.

Flyonthewindscreen · 14/05/2010 14:22

I would start your DS on a Monday morning (either the day you move if you are already in the location, or the following Monday if you don't actually move in until some point during that week.

When we moved it was quite a local move (although enough distance for my DS to move schools), we completed on the Monday, moved out stuff in over the week, during which DS stayed at his old school, moved in on the Friday after DS's last day at old school and he started new school on the following Monday.

Hope all goes well

purpleturtle · 14/05/2010 20:36

We moved on a Tuesday/Wednesday last June. The DC were in their old school on Tuesday. We drove to new house that evening (2 hours). Stuff arrived Wednesday. DC went to new school Thursday.

It gave them just 2 days at new school, then weekend. I felt that would be more manageable than a whole week from the off.

Original poster

NoahAndTheWhale · 14/05/2010 22:10

Have had second removal person coming today and they seem to think we can get into new house on Monday so I am starting to think about a couple of days at school that week.

I am normally totally against children (mine at any rate) missing any school - very against holidays in term time etc but this feels a bit different. Will discuss it with new school as well I should think.

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RollaCoasta · 14/05/2010 22:27

Deep end - definitely! But check it's not an inset day!

Original poster

NoahAndTheWhale · 14/05/2010 22:32

That's a good point. Just looked at new school's website and 7th June is an inset day (the day we move). So maybe he should start on the Tuesday which will be everyone's first day back after half term.

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RollaCoasta · 14/05/2010 22:48

Noah - just a little warning and please don't worry about it.

You may find that settling is quite difficult at this time of the year as a) children in school tend to get a bit jumpy in the second half of the summer term as they feel insecure before changing year groups, and b) they will have secured friendships within their classes by now. My advice would be to get as many new friends invited to tea as soon as possible (whether they last or not - your son will soon find out who he likes the best), and to find out about local clubs from mums in the playground / go to the local playpark and mix with people from school.

When the new year starts, new friendships evolve (children are very fickle!), the children will settle with their new teacher, and everything will settle into a normal routine.

(I work in a school with a lot of service children, who move around at random times of year!)

strawberrycornetto · 14/05/2010 22:55

We are moving on the friday before half term. DD will finish her old school on the Friday and start the new school on the Monday after half term. She is in reception.

The school were quite flexible about how she started and if she did full days or a few half days to get used to it. We think it will be best for her to go straight in so that she can settle as quickly as possible. Am really nervous though, I really want it to be ok for her.

We are moving about 50 miles, but we have managed to get her down to the new school so she spent a morning with her new class. I hope this will make it a bit more familiar for her when she starts properly.

Rollacosta, that is really good advice. I will definitely follow it.

RollaCoasta · 14/05/2010 23:05

I agree, Strawberry, particularly for a young child who needs to learn the routine of the school day immediately. Half days don't help anyone (particulary in early years!). Reception is so play based that she needs to be there all the time, as all the early years curriculum revolves around making friends and co-operating with each other.

Original poster

NoahAndTheWhale · 14/05/2010 23:33

Rolla - thanks for your post above - I agree that it could well be an unsettling time to move and quite possibly my worries show through a bit .

DS has recently started Beavers here which he loves and I have organised a place at Beavers in new village so hope that will help too. I will also be putting on my most gregarious face (hard for me but I do find I can do it more when my children are involved) and invite people over to play etc.

I also suspect some friendships may change in September as the current Yr1 class is a large one which is being split into 2 in September.

DD will be starting reception in September and be at the pre-school next to the school for this half term. This will be a change for her as well as she is used to being in a mixed nursery/reception class but I will focus my worries on one child at a time I think .

Do slightly wish I could fast forward about 5 or 6 weeks and be settled. But will continue to think about the positives the move will bring.

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RollaCoasta · 14/05/2010 23:46

It's really good news for you, noah, that classes are being split - that really does help you and your son! You are right that a different class chemistry means that new friendships have to be forged.

I wouldn't worry about your daughter in YR - as it's so play-based she'll be bound to make friends anyway - and she'll be starting the new school year.

(Not sure I could find a 'gregarious' face either! )

Original poster

NoahAndTheWhale · 14/05/2010 23:49

Thank you again - you are making me feel more confident .

Now if you could also sort out the packing of the house and all the organising I need to do (only got move date today) then I will be very happy

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strawberrycornetto · 15/05/2010 00:21

Noah, I so understand what you are going through, we are doing exactly the same thing (transferring rainbow place also on my long admin list) and I am worrying about being shy and not making friends/not helping DD to make friends. DH is very sociable and just doesn't get how scary it can be. We got our move date on Monday and move 2 weeks today. Aaaaaahhhhh!

Let me know how you get on.

Original poster

NoahAndTheWhale · 15/05/2010 00:35

I will do (have hopefully done what I need to do to get DD onto a new Rainbows waiting list ).

Also have the slight problem that I do work outside the house regularly but rarely ie every 6 months I work over a 2 week period. I start doing some work next week and finish it with a 5 day run from 2nd until 6th June. Yes, the day before we move . Am trying not to think about it, although realise I need to soon

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strawberrycornetto · 15/05/2010 11:47

My DH works away and only has 2 days at home between now and the move. So its all down to me. We must be mad!!

Still, the good news is that our buyers have just popped over and are going to keep all the furniture we didn't want, which means that we have less now to get rid of, which saves me one job.

They seem really nice so I am happy that our house is going to people who I think will love it.

sooz28 · 17/05/2010 13:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

NoahAndTheWhale · 17/05/2010 23:38

Has your DS been invested? I was told by the current Beaver Leader that once they are invested they have a sort-of free transfer to wherever they move to, so should be able to start straight away.

DS is being invested next week (his last meeting here). I phoned the in charge person in new place last week and I don't think it's quite as rigid as school places . Did help that the school gave me a list of village organisations so I knew who to call.

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sooz28 · 18/05/2010 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

NoahAndTheWhale · 18/05/2010 22:50

I think there is something about it on the Scout website.

I think it's not insignificant at all - I am hoping it helps my DS to settle in having new Beavers to go to .

Good luck with your move as well

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