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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

Year 9 issues

12 replies

RaquelWelch · 19/06/2018 15:16

I have a14 YO DD just finishing year 9. She is at a fee paying school that is quite academic and she is struggling! I went to see the teachers at the end of last year as I thought she had struggled with exams, they promised lots of different things, from getting her involved in clubs to mentors etc, none of this really happened. But at parents' evening, all seemed good and she had positive reports.

She has just finished end of year exams and the marks are not good. She is getting in the low 40's for sciences and maths and the school doesn't seem to be doing much to help. They even mentioned looking at moving her to a less academic school! With 3 weeks to go until the end of term!

I think this is affecting my DD's self esteem as she thinks she isn't clever enough and I am worried she will just give up. She goes to school, does her homework, and is never any trouble, but there is no enthusiasm.

I'm really unsure what to do. Should I look at other schools or just try and get her to see out her time there and make the most of it? I am scared that if I move her it will be the wrong thing and we will regret it in the future, she says she wants to leave but I think she is too young to make that decision.

I have only spoken to her head of year, and to be honest, she has never even taught my daughter and doesn't seem to really know her.

Sorry for the long post, but I am really unsure what to do here! Any advice, greatly appreciated

OP posts:

TeenTimesTwo · 19/06/2018 15:29

If they are suggesting changing schools then take it seriously as it kind of implies to me they are starting to wash their hands of her.
Get them to agree to waive the 1 terms notice.

Moving now is hard as some places will have already started GCSE courses. would you consider state options (and used money saved to back up with tutors)? Can you at least contact some and look round?

You either have to do it now or wait until after GCSEs I think.

anotherangel2 · 19/06/2018 15:37

Your daughter is not happy there. The promised support never materialised (did you question that?) so I doubt there will be any more support and they don’t want her there. Why would you keep there?

Seeline · 19/06/2018 15:45

I think when private schools start suggesting other schools might be better it's time to seriously look elsewhere before being pushed out.

Snowysky20009 · 19/06/2018 15:58

To suggest moving, suggests wanting her out. Is this why the support hasn't materialised??

Original poster

RaquelWelch · 19/06/2018 17:27

Thanks for your replies. It was me that mentioned the option of looking at other schools and the Head of Year just said they would like to keep her, but she might be happier if she moved etc. I don't want her to stay if she isn't happy but I honestly don't know if moving somewhere else, with no friends, is the answer. I questioned everything and they she just said "sorry about that". It wasn't a very productive meeting. I am just feeling really sorry for my daughter and I obviously want to help her. I am looking at another school tomorrow and also talking to local state schools, so I am getting the ball rolling just in case

OP posts:

RedSkyAtNight · 19/06/2018 17:59

I would move a 14 year old that wasn't happy in their current school and wanted to move, yes. I disagree that it's too young to make the decision.

Maybe looking at some other schools will make the decision more real for her - which it sounds like you have in hand. Agree with others you need to move now, or wait till after GCSEs.

Notquiterichenough · 20/06/2018 14:27

Honestly, if she wants to move, and school are making noises to suggest it might be a good idea, I would move her.

lljkk · 20/06/2018 16:13

make sure you get fees back if they are encouraging her to move schools anyway. They can waive the 1 term notice policy for you.

For state schools here you're supposed to apply minimum one term before start, so to start in September you'd be applying by end of March this year. Would another fee paying school be just as unsupportive?

blackeyes72 · 20/06/2018 16:52

Is it just maths and science that are a struggle? Does she feel like she is struggling or is it just because of her marks? Is it 40% or 40 out of something else? What is the average in the year/class? these are the sort of things I would be asking before making a decision.

Guiloak · 20/06/2018 21:55

A lot of private schools don't start GCSEs until year 10. You do need to get in the phone tomorrow to potential schools many private schools finish first week of July. Go and see the head at her current school, start kicking up a fuss you are paying.

PerspicaciaTick · 20/06/2018 22:06

I would think seriously about moving her to a local state school and using the money you save to pay for some tutoring. Hell would freeze over before I continued giving my hard earned cash to a school which is failing my DD academically, seems at a loss as to how to improve things and where my DD is also unhappy.

anotherpersona · 21/06/2018 11:24

I don't think I would move a child at end of year 9 unless truly no other option. Can you help her to catch up over the summer? Is every subject or just a couple? Has she had changes in teachers mid-year?

I would be trying to make it work where she is, explain there will be established friend groups and may not be able to do the GCSE options she wants due to different timetabling etc, and tell her she can always move for A levels.

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