How do I go about finding a better school?

[MrsBobDylan]

We went through lots of upheaval last year and had to relocate. As a result ds, ended up in a really rough, NI secondary.

He is due to start year 8 and I want to find him a better school. How do I go about moving him? I can see that some schools take direct applications and I know about in year transfers but will any of them have places?

I took a TA job at my son's school and whilst the teachers are wonderful, the school is a dumping ground for kids who have been excluded from every other school nearby and those who should be in more specialist provision.

Any advice very gratefully received.

In practical terms, you can make an in-year transfer application to another school(s) at any time. Some schools will run this themselves, some will get the local authority to manage it, so you would just need to check which. Some will run ongoing waiting lists, some will not and will just check the situation when you apply.

In terms of places, you would need to ask them - its possible, especially at secondary, where large year groups mean it's more likely there is movement. However you may find the beginning of this year a bit more complicated, as there will probably be some confusion at the start of school as to whether some children are being home educated for a couple of weeks/vulnerable and thus trying to put off returning/actually being deregistered or moved. So it may take a few weeks for it to become clear what the situation is for each school.

Thanks @PatriciaHolm - that's a good point re: covid confusion and home schooling vs deregistering.

I might get him on a few waiting lists and then sit tight for a while.

We may even think about moving, but that is a huge upheaval we could do without.