Moving schools Y8 and Y10

[EmBeEmBe]

We're thinking about a career move which would mean moving our children into a new school in Y8 and Y10 (timed for September - not this year though). Has anyone done it? We'd probably be looking for schools in SE London but open to other locations.

My question is, are there routinely spaces in good schools at these ages? Would moving into Y10 be harder than Y9? Do many schools still start GCSEs in Y9? Are private school places easier to find than state school places?
Thanks so much!

No expertise but the impression I have from MN is this:

• good schools don't routinely have places, you'd have to be luck and have someone else leave && be top of the waiting list
• lots of schools start at least some of the syllabus in y9 even if they don't officially start until y10. For example science.
• you also need to realise that some option subjects may be full if your DC isn't in place when options are selected in ~spring of the previous academic year. Especially a practical subject using equipment such as Food tech.
• again if not in place the year before initial banding/setting may be harder so the DC might start off too high/low for set subjects
• if you are going to move, then broadly speaking the sooner you do it the better

Sooner the better and make sure you live on top of your chosen school for a good chance. I rang round recently for a year 8 place on London and lists were typically 50-60 strong for year 8. Good luck.

In very good schools that is

Thank you both. That's v helpful.
I assume that secondary school waiting lists work much like primary ones: the closer you live the higher up the lost you are?
How about in the private schools? Same story?

Private schools will be dif by school - most would wait for a place to come up I think and your child would have to meet their standard - exam/ interview. They might be more willing to take one extra. Ring around and get a sense of how it works.

I've moved a child into y8 state and that was mostly fine though they did put her in ability sets where they had space based on who left rather than by her ability meaning she was in the wrong ability sets for up to a year.

I've also done a move into y10 - that is more complicated as GCSEs have started and options have been chosen. So its best to research thoroughly and discuss with the school first and not an ideal age to move so would avoid if possible. In our case we got a complete subject match and put into correct sets. Exam boards were different in some cases but syllabises were pretty much identical so that wasn't a big issue. What was more of an issue is things are taught in different orders in schools so you need to check that. If you child can teach themselves and willing to catch up it can be done but if you have one who would struggle with either of those I would avoid.

Most state schools are on distance if comps but check on website. Grammars are by ability and sometimes within a catchment. Private is normally by ability / interview / ability of parents to pay not by distance.

Most good schools tend to be oversubscribed both state and private but there is some movement, best to ask schools directly.