Transfering to another school for Y3 experiences good or bad please

[busymummy3]

We are thinking of taking our DC out of primary school currently attending. We have had a long association with the school - our other DC'S have gone there but we are unhappy with a few things that are currently happening but are cautious as to whether to go ahead or not , it will be a big decision if we do and also what if school we choose turns out to have problems of there own. Also whether our DC would settle in a new school after being in current one since nursery? wouldnt want to traumatise her. Would welcome other MN's experiences good as well as bad.

My situation is slightly different, because we have moved cities, but DD moved into Y2 at a new school, and then into the very end of Y3 at yet another school. DS1 moved into the end of Y1 then.

IME things can go pretty well to begin with, and then there's a bit of a dip after half a term or so (maybe a bit longer). DD had a playtime just before Christmas in Y2 (having started well in September) where nobody played with her. Obviously, these things happen all the time at school, but in that case it was the trigger for deep unhappiness that lasted most of the following half-term. She came through it though, and got on really well. The next move was easier, and the dip was shorter.

sorry to hijack the thread but that's really heartening to hear, vegasmum. Our local primary school (which has a good reputation and ofsted report) is infants only and so we would have to move DS after year 2 and I'm already worrying about it (and whether it should affect our choice as to whether to send him there) and he's not even starting school till next year yet. I've heard it said that children are sometimes more adaptable than parents - hopefully that's right! Gladt o hear it went well for your DD.

Busymummy, I hope it all works out for you too. I don't have any advice as such - sorry, I'm hijacking the thread!

We did this a year ago as we were unhappy with DD's school. She was halfway through Yr3.

It was the best decsion we ever made but it was so hard. DD sobbed and screamed the day we took her to the new school, I had to carry her in kicking and screaming. She did miss her friends and she still does, but we make an effort to still stay in touch with them.

She's settled into her new school well and made new friends. The new school is a lot better and she said to me last week how she's glad we made her move schools as she knows herself the new one is a lot better.

We moved our DS at the end of Y2 because we moved cities. It had taken him two years to settle in at his old school, so we were very anxious about it; overall, it has been fine. He has had some teething problems, but I think that's more to do with his personality than anything to do with his age and stage. It may have been helped by the fact that the children who'd been there already transferred in Y3 from the very tiny pre-prep building and into the main prep school - which made them all sort of 'new'. It hasn't all been straightforward, but it wasn't straightforward settling him into his first school either...

FWIW, we also moved our DD. She loved her old school and friends, and loves her new school and friends. Easily pleased!

A year older than your dc but we moved our son in year 4 to a new school. His new school were fabulous in arranging a taster/welcome day prior to him actually starting so he new a few faces and teachers names before he went. All the other pupils in his year were very friendly and all came round him on his first day eager to play with the new boy!!

We have had no problems at all, he is now in year 6 and its as if he has been at this school all his school life!

Schools are well prepared for helping ease new pupils in and most will offer to give them a morning/ day where they can spend time in the class prior to them starting

best thing we did moving our ds!

The most important thing IMO is that you always talk positively about the change. I don't mean that you should ignore or belittle a child's concerns in any way, but do seek to talk up the new place - the new friends, the good things you know about the new school. Stuff like that.

It is definitely true that in most cases children are more adaptable to change than adults. More so in schools, I think, simply because the children spend so much more time there than their parents!

We moved DD for the last term of Y3, she settled very easily and a year on people have forgotten that she wasn't there for the infants section. DD's school does have regular intakes each year so is very geared up to help new children settle. The move was largely initiated by DD and she had a role in choosing the school so perhaps this made it all a bit easier. Best thing we've done though.

Same as cowsgomoo- son moved in yr 4, now yr 6.
He's glad he went to new school due to facilities, but still sees all his old friends, and will be going to sec school with them.
He cried at the end of the first week, and had to be carried in crying, but I had to be brutally honest with him that weekend and said there was no place for him at his old school now, and this was wherehe was going.
Never looked back- harder for us as parents to fit in I think!