Waiting List Place has come through - what to do?

[HerderofDragons]

On offers day we got the worst school in the borough. I appealed for his preferred school but was not successful. Eventually through the waiting list we got his fourth choice and he started two weeks ago.

It was a school he hadn't warmed to on open day I think perhaps because it is one of these out of the box new build schools without a great deal of personality. It offers a good grounding in the basics but not much in the way of extra curricular, sports, school trips etc.

Everything is going well. He is making friends, getting into the routine seems to be doing great academically (as much as you can tell at this point.) I got an email Friday to say he has a place at the preferred school. It is very different from the school he is at and in many ways plays more to his strengths. I am so torn. I think his inclination is to stay as it is easier and he is boy that always takes the easy route.

While I think he will do absolutely fine at current school I think other school will stretch him more and given him more opportunities. Has anyone been in a similar situation and decided to move or stay? How did it go?

I've not been in this situation but I would honestly take the place at the first choice school. You all liked it enough to put it first and then appeal. Surely it's a no-brainer.
This assumes that:
it is easy to get to and near enough to make localish friends
the expense of a second uniform won't leave you short
the things you liked about it are still the case so, the head has not changed, there has not been a sudden increase in excessive rules over uniform, they haven't just dropped the chance to take two languages or whatever

Move him.

So many more opportunities can't be overlooked.

Move- it’s two weeks, that’s nothing. This is the school that will help set up his future, move him to the best school possible!

Oh, you must move him!

As quickly as possible so he can settle in with all the other new pupils. You have to weigh up the next five years against a few days of disruption.

Consider yourself lucky!

I did six weeks at one school and was then moved to the preferred school on appeal.

I was fine. No relationships on year 7 are solid and I fitted straight in.

Move him.

Wow very unanimous. I suppose it is his reticence to move that is making me halt so I would be pushing him into moving despite his initial feelings. Thanks everyone.

If he's in Year 7, I would move him.

You're only 3 weeks in.

Definitely move him.

Another vote for move. The good news is that you know he can settle easily, so by half term he will be so settled in first choice he'll all but have forgotten about current school.

I know two tamiles who moved their dc after October half term last year. Both didn't get first choice and were on waiting lists, their first choice schools had much more to offer. Even though the children had, by then, settled into the schools they were allocated, parents knew it was better to move the children.
They settled perfectly into new schools (this was approx 6 weeks after everyone else started).

I moved in year 8 and it really was fine. I wouldn't stress about moving him - your job as a parent is to make choices that are better for your children but which they wouldn't take.

If the first choice school is a better fit for him then it makes sense. He'll make new friends. The earlier you move the better.

Move him. This is from a teacher who has seen pupils arrive at this point and from personal experience of moving myself mid way through year 7.

Thanks everyone - he has decided to move by himself which has made my life so much easier. After a couple of days of not wanting to engage he decided this afternoon so was obviously mulling it all over in his own quiet way. He said "I think there is just a lot more for me there". All the affirmation from you helped me though so thanks!

Oh, I'm glad

Very good news that he’s reached this conclusion by himself!