Child currently in year 10 state school

[needAnameBollox]

Is it possible to get my child into a private school for January? I know GCSE learning has already started but she is clever and willing to learn.

We can easily access SW&W London /North&West Surrey/EastBerkshire.

She has friends at her current school and feels comfortable there.

She is annoyed that a lot of the good teachers have left or that the remaining good teachers are not teaching her class.

I've noticed she's started putting less effort in as she doesn't see the point because no one notices what she is doing. Well, except for me, but in the past she's always thrived from the praise of others.

The school she is at is one of the better ones in the area (unless you're catholic) but I'm losing faith in it.

Or we could try to get tutors.., though I don't know where to start with that.

Any advice?

I've never really considered private school because I don't think it's very 'real life' for want of a better term. But yeah, it looks like state school is too 'real life'!

If you can - I would. Contact the school not all private schools take kids mid year but it will depend. If not ask around for tutoring. Don’t wait

It’s pretty unlikely. Different exam boards cover different topics and even the same exam boards leave it open for teachers to cover in a different order

She has missed a term of teaching at the new school and it will be a tough time to make friends

I would go down the tutors route.

Different exam boards, topics taught in a different order and breaking into established friendship groups would make it very difficult for your DD.

Does she even want to change schools?

She is 1/4 a way through the courses so it’s not a great idea. Unless she start yr 10 again in 2025

I'd go for tutors, particularly focusing on ones who will motivate her, so in her case give lots of praise. I'd also have a serious chat about motivation and why we do things (intrinsic v extrinsic motivation). I get where she is coming from but she is only harming herself. Even if a school does the same exam boards, they won't necessarily teach in the same order and it will be lots of catching up.

You need to enquire with possible schools!

They will have done this before and be able to advise. You will then know if it's a realistic option or a pipe dream. Kids need to relocate all the time - it's not ideal but not a no-no and earlier rather than later is better.

The schools themselves are the only ones that can answer that, although it sounds a bit like using a hammer to crack a nut - what about her friends, teams etc? Can she be moved class instead, maybe to one with more compatible teachers?

I'd also be wary that children who are praise driven might struggle down the line at university. So I'd try to break that link rather than reinforce it. Can you work with her to see her learning and marks as the real reward?

I would suggest tutors instead.
Changing schools during the GCSE years isn't easy and if she struggles to make new friends and settle in it could badly affect her grades as well.

Tutors. A good tutor can replace a poor teacher in terms of subject motivation. She’s also old enough to learn to motivate herself despite poor teaching.

This January - yes! Maybe not normally but many/most private schools will be losing at least a couple of children per year group due to VAT at the end of this term so they'll be keen to fill the gaps.

We did it but you will need to find a school that can fit in your DC’s options, if not exam boards. Plus most private schools break up for Christmas at the end of this week, so you will need to start looking very quickly if you want to make the move for the start of the January term.

Did you decide to do this?
I am doing this with my 15DS for a variety of reasons. I have an appointment with the head on Monday.

Talk to all the possible new schools. Check what exam boards they work with, and ask their advice. If you dd is unhappy then dealing with it now is far better than dealing with resits in two years time.

What did you decide to do?