Which school year should DS be in?

[movingmuddle]

DH has been offered a job in Edinburgh. All being well, we'll move up early next year. Currently we're in England and although DP grew up in Scotland it's been a while since school!

DS will turn 11 this December. He's just started secondary. I know the years are different in the Scottish system but I think that means he'd still be in S1 in Scotland, is that right? And if so, might there also be an option to hold him back a year, so that he starts new with the other S1 kids next Sept instead of straight in to an already established class? (I'm in two minds about this, but just wondering if it's even possible).

Thanks.

You might want to have a look at the deadlines for registering at secondary as well. I think registration starts somewhere around November but the final decisions are not made until the new year at least in primary. It might be worth moving before that deadline if it's practical.

I wouldn't be too worried about him making friends. DS has just started high school and didn't know anyone in his class, only 5 children went up from his primary as it doesn't feed to that high school. I reckon friendship groups will still be evolving early next year. There are as many kids in his school year as there were in his entire primary so it takes a while to get to know people.

I wouldn't defer based on age alone.
I grew up in Scotland and also had a December birthday, my best friend had a February birthday. It never had a negative affect.

Depending on the school it will have various primary feeder schools. So lots of new faces. I ended up being the only one from my primary class in my secondary house group.