Would you change schools?

[ParisSweetheart]

Hypothetical, but wwyd in these circumstances?

Ds 11yo is now in year 7. When we applied these were our choices.

School A - First choice, where most of his class were going, wonderful Ofsted, but in a deprived area, 50% pupil premium, average results, but always had a decent reputation, very oversubscribed probably due to the Ofsted rating, but I have heard not great things from other parents so who really knows?

School B - Next door to our house, went into special measures shortly after admissions date, again high percentage of pupil premium , crap results, always had a very up and down reputation/results, but has wonderful facilities.

School C - Decent reputation/IOfsted but same in terms of being in a deprived area, ds really didn't want to go there, but far and wouldn't have known anyone.

Anyway, we missed out on school A, got offered school B, we appealed, we lost, ds wouldn't even consider trying for other schools, so he started at school B.l in September.

Ds seems to hate school now. He seems to be doing well, he's getting lots of really good behaviour rewards, he's made some friends and has even been out playing with some of them, and walking to school, some days he has really good days/lessons, but on the whole he hates it.

He says the teachers are terrible and don't know how to teach, other kids are distributive, his friends aren't good friends and he gets upset about things like them not being fair in football, stuff like that. Says they all swear at each other, the older years are too rough.

I really don't know what to do, he's quite high up the waiting list now for school A, so could be offered a place this year, but how can I be sure it would be any better for him?

He's so moody all the time, I always listen to him and let him know I'm here but I'm really at a loss.

What other options do you have apart from school C (and are there spaces there?). If you have a better option and you could get him there, even if it was a long way, I would do it.

I think my ds would be the same if he went to a ‘rough’ school (for want of a better word). His primary school was 65% pupil premium and he really struggled in juniors,so much that we home educated in years 5 and 6.

He’s now in year 9 at a grammar school and it’s a long journey on two buses- too far for my liking - and his in winter. But he fits in fine, has friends and enjoys playing football at break. I know a nearer but ‘rougher’ school would be very difficult for him. Sometimes we have to compromise if there’s no ideal option.

It's all just hypothetical at the moment, but my options are.

Ask about a place at school C, but ds wouldn't be happy, but may be a better school for him who knows...

Another appeal for school A or wait for a place to become available.

Apply to other schools out of the area.

This is the problem, we're in a city and most of the comps are a bit 'rough', but may have better behaviour management?

I'd keep phoning to find out where he is on the waiting list for school A. Yes I would move him as soon as the place became available. We moved ds in yr 7. It was a little different as he didnt settle at all. Lots of problems from other students. He definitely feels that moving schools was the right thing for him. It wasnt easy though as friendships had already formed. He's not fantastically happy in the second school but he is having a better experience.