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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Do I change my DS school in year 10? So confused.....

12 replies

countrygirl13 · 06/05/2014 12:14

This is my first time, please be patent, I hope I'm doing this right.

I have a 14 year old DS, currently in year 9, he's doing well at school, achieving all his current targets and about to start his GCSE's.

My partner and I decided that we would move in together last year so chose a home that was an equal distance from our previous homes due to his work and my DS schooling and both of our parents. Since moving my dp constantly makes remarks about the amount of travelling I do for the school run (36 miles twice a day, so it is a fair distance) but I do tie in the shopping and other things while I am out but he wants me to send him to another school and claims he would do better elsewhere.

The school he currently goes to has suffered a bit with Ofsted reports but has turned this around over the past couple of years. My son is happy where he is as he has a good network of friends and doing well academically so I am reluctant to move him.

Sorry this is a bit long winded and I would appreciate any comments from parents that have had the same or a similar dilemma.

Thank you

OP posts:

MaryPoppinsBag · 06/05/2014 12:15

If your DS is happy there I wouldn't.

motherinferior · 06/05/2014 12:20

Is your partner's priority your son's education and welfare, or the amount of time you're spending out of the house?

TeenAndTween · 06/05/2014 12:21

I generally wouldn't change at this time unless you don't like the school.

his chosen options may not be available at new school
they really hit the ground running in y10 (DD had an English controlled assessment after only 4 weeks)
they may not put him in the right sets initially which could impact him
he will be settling in and making / not making friends not focussing on work
some schools start GCSE work towards the end of y9 so he may miss some bits out

Pros for moving

less commute
makes after school revision sessions easier in y11
making friends in new area may help son to settle with new arrangements

Martorana · 06/05/2014 12:24

No public transport?

is it any of his business anyway?

Martorana · 06/05/2014 12:25

Could he spend a night a week with his grandparents?

Nonotthatagain · 06/05/2014 12:31

At my DC's school they start their GCSE work in yr 9 - might be worth checking in case this is the case at the new school (if you decide to move him)
I would also consider that moving house has probably been an upheaval for him so if he were to move school as well how would he cope?

AtiaoftheJulii · 06/05/2014 12:38

I think if you're happy to take him for the next two years, and your son's happy at school and doing well, then why would you bother changing anything?

Is there any public transport option? Perhaps if you drove him to a train station/bus stop? But that might well cost more than driving even if you were out less.

Changing for the sake of it seems a bit daft. More reasonable to change for 6th form - that might be something for all 3 of you together to start looking into next year?

BeckAndCall · 06/05/2014 12:41

Leave him where he is - 2 years will fly by. And it's only for 40 weeks of the year. ( I say only, what I mean is there is down time between terms to get your breath back from the travelling).

Plus, from your DS point of view, he's got a new living arrangement - do you really want to uproot him from his support network and the stability of his day to day routine at school? It's a big change for him already.

Original poster

countrygirl13 · 06/05/2014 12:43

Thank you for your responses. I'll try and answer in order...

DS is happy where he is.

My partner says its because he cares & wants DS to do well but then moans about the cost & that the school run is 2 hours a day which I could understand if the school or ds was failing in some way.

My concern is the settling in period & trying to find his feet & new friends rather than his education. We are home by 3:30 so plenty of time for home revision & I have no other children so if there are study groups after school then I am able to pick him up at a different time. Good points though, thank you TeenandTween.

We are in quite a small village with limited transport & he would have to catch 3 buses leaving at 7am. The delights of public transport :) 'Is it his business.' that's a tricky one as I guess it wouldn't be such a big deal if he didn't care and wants DS to do well but we decided not to move schools before we moved house which dictated where we now live otherwise e would have moved to an area closer to work and with better local schools than here.

Thanks again

OP posts:

BadgerB · 06/05/2014 13:08

It does sound as if your DP is maybe putting the cost and time of transport before your DS's education. If he cared about your DS and wanted his GCSEs to go well he would not consider moving him in Y10. You could look into 6th colleges nearer your new home?

OnGoldenPond · 06/05/2014 13:17

Moving for yr 10 would really mess your DS up with academic work and could impact on GCSE grades. People go to great lengths to avoid a school move at this stage as it is so disruptive. If you are able to manage the practicalities for the two years I would strongly recommend not moving.

If YOU are happy that you can handle this routine why is your DP sticking his oar in? Sounds a bit bossy to me.

Original poster

countrygirl13 · 06/05/2014 13:45

I think I knew I was right to stand my ground & not move him & that I was after some reassurance that I am doing the right thing.

I appreciate that it's an expense & time but it is only 2 more years & there is no 6th form attached to the school so he would have to move then anyway.

OP posts:

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