US to UK system for Year 9

[SPHNW8]

My daughter is currently in Year 8 equivalent in the US. She is a very strong student and lived in London until Year 3. As we may be moving back to London and assuming she can obtain an occasional space in a strong school, how difficult a road does she face? Thoughts?

Its not the ideal year to move into but if she is a strong student and can do some independent study if needed to catch up should be doable. Some schools start gcse courses in y9 and do over 3 years, some in y10 over 2 years.

I would try to find a school with a 2-year GCSE programme, as those with a 3-year programme will have already chosen their courses, and your DD might have limited options as courses will fill up.

Having a think ahead of time about the typical options at GCSE will be helpful. The school might require a choice of History or Geography, and a choice of a Modern Foreign Language if they follow the EBACC curriculum. Then have a look to make sure she likes the look of other courses offered - if she is strong in a subject, does the school offer it?

Yes, it will definitely make a difference whether they school does GCSE over years 9-11 or 10-11. Locally to me, some schools take each approach. If she can move into year 9, choose options and then start GCSEs in year 10 that will be fine. Moving straight into GCSE year will be trickier.

State schools will be very much a lottery as to where has a space although you could appeal but it would delay her start with no guarantee of success. Many private schools have a year 9 intake and are more flexible on numbers but those places will already be allocated for September. If you contact them now she may be able to be assessed and join a waiting list as there will still be some movement over Spring. Private schools are also used to accommodating students with an overseas educational background.

There is a couple of private school that run similar to the US system? TASIS & ACS come to mind just outside of london (I don’t know but I assume there be some in London)
The issue may be is a space in a good state school in London- year 9 - is the start of GCSE curriculum for some schools and less movement of children leaving & you can’t apply for the school until you’ve moved back.
My friend has recently returned from America for that year 9 start she had planned one school but her daughter didn’t get a space - part of her wanted to hold out just incase a space came up as once she started Year 9 at a secondary school she didn’t want to move her again - she didn’t her daughter has settled in her 2nd choice school.

We’ve just come to the other way from London with a similar aged child. Your daughter will be arriving at the start of the 3 yr GCSE programme. The only problem I foresee is as the other students would have picked their 2 GCSE options her preferred choices maybe full.

Your daughter maybe behind in Maths from my brief knowledge of the public high school just by the nature of the differences in methods of teaching. But she has plenty of time to catch up. I wouldn’t be overly concerned. I suggest taking a look at Seneca Online. My sons London Academy regularly set homework and revision from this site (amongst a few others). I think it differentiates learning by Yr group as well so you can browse what’s coming up.

Another idea is get an online UK tutor (perhaps in Maths particularly) to gauge where the gaps are and if concerned get ahead by plugging them.

My children moved from UK to US in September and both are year ahead. Maths is only the real issue if she has a flare for it. The rest will be caught up quickly. The rest is just knowledge based learning and you’re all effectively starting from the same point. To be fair some schools do touch on GCSE topics in yr 7/8 but only very lightly. She won’t be disadvantaged.

You’ll be fine and so will your daughter. Some/most schools are fantastic. It’s a very very different experience from what I have experienced here in the US. Most UK schools are very used to people coming from all walks of life, different levels of education and language and accommodating to those needs. London schools are very very good at that.

Do not worry. PM if needed.

Thank you for all your insights. It's much appreciated.

Are you staying long term or just for year 9. It is highly likely she will be behind in core subjects as when we did the move the other way both were moved up a year.

@SeasonFinale We would be staying long term. She is currently at a strong private school in the US. She tested a year ahead (in the US public system) when we first returned to the US, so I know what you are speaking about. I’m thinking all I can do is find schools with space and let her sit their exams and go from there.

Yes and if that is the case chances are she will be fine. Going into y9 means she has chance to catch up prior to y10 when gcse courses usually start