Dd wants to move schools but no other schools have places

[motherofmanygirls]

My dd is just finishing year 7 and has been really miserable at her new secondary school. She hasn't fit in well and has been bullied quite badly.

We are at a point where we really need to take her out of the school for her mental health. We sent off the forms to change but pretty much as we did that a local school announced it was shutting (its an academy so I don't think it's the councils choice but I'm not totally sure how it works).

We have been told by the other schools we asked for and the local authority that the other schools in the area are massively oversubscribed now so it's unlikely there will be any places for her.

Since she is a place is it likely she will be told she has to stay where she is?

I'm not sure how much of a good idea it's going to be to subject her to another year like this one and the school has been no help at all.

Could you appeal for one which would suit her better?

Are you prepared to travel further to get her into a different school?

My DD was desperately unhappy at her high school in year 7. We looked around several other schools nearby, all were within 2 - 3 miles of her school but we opted for one that's over 8 miles (almost 9 miles) away because they offered the pastoral care she needed.

The LEA said it was down to us to get her there. That's fine, the journey is around 10 minutes more each way but she is so much happier. Maybe consider a longer journey to find the right school. Even a train journey for 15-20 minutes is ok for year 8 high school students and that will increase the number of options you have.

I think you are doing the right thing trying to move. I really hope you find something

Is it worth just removing her and home educating for a year or until a place comes up elsewhere.go on waiting lists and use the intervening time to restore her confidence

Ask your current school and your county council for a 'managed move'. This is where she is taken on by another school on a trial period, if you will, and if all goes well, they take her on roll permanently. Now is a good time to be looking for school places because when people move house or change schools, they tend to do it at the end of the summer term.

Ask for a negotiated transfer - schools are more willing to take these on.

You can appeal for a place even if a school is "full" and bullying (especially if inadequately dealt with) is good grounds, you would argue that she needs a fresh start.