Changing Schools in Year 9

[Sunspray]

We currently haave a dilemma....

A couple of spaces from our 1st choice school waiting list has become available for Year 9 entry this September. There is also the added pressure of a test in 2 weeks to compete for these couple of spaces, and they will also need to request a Report from the current school beforehand !!!

We certainly would not be considering this decision if it was any later than Year 9 - due to the fact that Options are chosen in Year 9 and it would be best not to move once Options have been chosen. Both schools are independent schools but the 1st choice is more academic and a much easier commute.

The problem is two-fold :-

1. If she doesn't end up getting one of the places at the new school, or we change our mind - the current school may not be happy if she ends up staying. It could leave a sour taste and backfire over the next few years, if they know we were considering changing schools and that they were the 2nd choice.

1. Problems with changing schools in Year 9 - two years after friendships have been formed at Secondary school, eg how easy it is to settle with new friendship groups, missing old friends, new environment etc.

Any comments / experience would be greatly appreciated.

At year 9 it should be mostly her choice, surely? For what it's worth, I think year 9 would be an incredibly difficult time to change schools- the friendship groups are much more fixed, everyone really knows how the schools works- horrible to be a new girl!

year 9 there are huge changes in schools anyway due to the prep schools ending at the end of year 8. So she would not be alone in starting at the new school.

I would not owrry about curent school being off with you if yu didn't get the space in the new school. They would have to give a tru and accurate report on her. And tbh I do not think they would hold it against her if she remained on at the school having not got the place. One snide comment and I would be in. You are paying.

Good luck with the decision.

I think it would be important to go with what your daughter wants to do.

If the first choice of school is one that you consider is much better than the current school for any reason, then it is worth trying for one of the places.

You could explain to the other school that you would like to try - you could explain to the current school that you want to try because it would be easier logistically; if she doesn't get the place, you could tell the current school that on balance you are very happy with what they are doing for your daughter and that she wants to stick with her friendship groups.

Unless your daughter is adament that she has a particular preference, it should be you that guides her choice.