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Secondary education

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Original poster

Moving schools private to local state help

27 replies

Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 06:09

My DC went to private reception and yr1 and then an excellent state in yr2 after moving city he went to local state moved him after lockdown to private for start of yr6 he struggles with distance finds it tiring. Impossible to do much after school as he gets back so late
local good state school and would give him an extra two hours a night.
hes currently yr8
not sure if I should move him for yr 9…
met a mum with a yr 11 child who she moved to private in yr9 and said she regretted decision Distance was too much for daughter and her not being with local friends was an issue, she worries daughter will later blame parents for the move.

education important but so is quality of life. Don’t know what to do need to decide by Monday please help

OP posts:
WhatWillIWear · 29/06/2023 07:16

Which school would objectively give him the better education? If he’s otherwise happy at his current school, and doing well, then I might consider moving nearer to the school. If it’s nothing special, he’s not thriving there and the state school compares well, then obviously move him.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 29/06/2023 07:18

You need to find out whether the state school you want has spaces, and when they start GCSEs. If it's in y9, then you probably need to move now or not at all.

Is moving closer to the private school and option?

SheilaFentiman · 29/06/2023 07:22

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 29/06/2023 07:18

You need to find out whether the state school you want has spaces, and when they start GCSEs. If it's in y9, then you probably need to move now or not at all.

Is moving closer to the private school and option?

Absolutely - are you sure there are spaces?

Are there any subjects one does but not the other eg language choice, separate sciences?

WhatWillIWear · 29/06/2023 07:24

I assumed the OP would already have gathered all the relevant information, but just can’t make up her mind?

SheilaFentiman · 29/06/2023 07:28

I hope so @WhatWillIWear but I went through many pages of a similar thread (transfer between 2 state
schools though) and the op hadn’t checked and there was no place in the “new” school!

Maireas · 29/06/2023 07:29

I'm a little bit confused - he seems to have had a lot of moves....so he's at the end of yr8, and the private school is a real distance, but the state school is near and has places?
Have you looked around the state school and looked at all the provision, does it seem a good fit?

Maireas · 29/06/2023 07:29

SheilaFentiman · 29/06/2023 07:28

I hope so @WhatWillIWear but I went through many pages of a similar thread (transfer between 2 state
schools though) and the op hadn’t checked and there was no place in the “new” school!

That happens a lot!

TrueScrumptious · 29/06/2023 07:31

What does your son think? What would he like?

redskytwonight · 29/06/2023 07:33

I had to do a similar commute at a similar age.

Move him to a closer school. He won't be getting the best out of the school if he is tired, if staying for out of school activities is a pain (it will be a pain even if it just means getting a later bus) and if his friends all live all over the place.

Remember you are not comparing 2 schools. You are comparing 1 school with the other school+2hours sitting on a bus. What else could he be doing with that time (even if it's only relaxing)? If academics are an issue, he could do an hour of paid tutoring on 2 or 3 night and still have more time (and it would cost you less).

Whinge · 29/06/2023 07:39

TrueScrumptious · 29/06/2023 07:31

What does your son think? What would he like?

This is the most important thing to consider. Does your son actually mind the late nights? Does he have any local friends he will miss hanging out with? You seem to be focusing on the issues faced by one child when they may not actually be relevant to your son.

If he's been at the private school since year 6 then there's a good chance he's settled and happy at his current school. I think moving him for year 9 when there doesn't seem to be any reason other than it's quite far away is a really bad idea, and one that could have a huge impact on his education.

Original poster
Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 10:31

Thank you he’s doing well there the education is good not outstanding
he likes learning so would be ok the main difference is Clas sizes he’d be going from 15 to 30

OP posts:
Original poster
Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 10:35

Thanks I’d not thought about moving but it’s not really an option

OP posts:
Whinge · 29/06/2023 10:39

Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 10:31

Thank you he’s doing well there the education is good not outstanding
he likes learning so would be ok the main difference is Clas sizes he’d be going from 15 to 30

Again you haven't said what your son wants. Will the state school have the same GCSE options, how will he find going from a small class to a much larger one*, does he have any friends at the local state school, and do they actually have a place for him?

*You say the class sizes will be 30, but in my experience they're often much larger.

Original poster
Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 10:40

It’s my catchment area school I’ve applied for an in year place and should hear tomorrow. Subjects he wants are all offered
He has already had a few moves I just don’t know without seeing into the future which would be best for him
I’d also save a lot of money if he moved but happy to pay that for him to stay
i have to make a decision now as you’re right Yr9 or never he’s yr 9 sept

OP posts:
Original poster
Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 10:46

He has had a lot of moves we moved out of London and he attended a state primary the school was awful. He was bullied, the private school helped him recover as it’s a kind nurturing school
he’s older now more resilient but v tired.. which is why I’m considering it now… or never

OP posts:
Original poster
Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 10:53

He’s happy to give the local a try as he already knows children there. Reading your responses are so helpful
he currently gets home around 5.20pm school he’d be home at 3.30pm and yes I’ve thought of tutors for him.

OP posts:
jackstini · 29/06/2023 10:57

Presume it's a long commute in the morning too?

Those extra hours every day will be invaluable. Just the thought of GCSE level work and homework with 3 extra hours of travelling...

If his current education is only 'good' and he already knows people at the new school and is happy to do it, I would move now do he is set for GSCE curriculum start

The money saved can be used for tutoring if necessary, or put towards Uni costs later

Original poster
Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 11:07

@jackstini its a good school I’ve taught at state schools that have been as good and a few better. Saying that we are happy with the school it’s the travel last week my DC said “I don’t think I can do this for another 3 years”.
I have to look at options for him

OP posts:
Original poster
Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 11:08

@redskytwonight this is useful insight thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 11:10

@Whinge he wants to look at the local school he wants to be home and still have time to ride his bike but change isn’t easy…

OP posts:
LIZS · 29/06/2023 11:16

State vs Private is not really the issue here, more that he has already had multiple moves and may feel less grounded. Ime a move at year 9 means they have to be ready to hit the ground running, academically in terms of making options and socially for finding friendship groups. The issue with it being from private to state is that typically most dc will have had two years to settle in and establish themselves, whereas a private may have a regular year 9 intake to naturally mix things up a bit, and the scale in terms of size of school with year group numbers significantly greater and total pupil numbers in 1000s. That may be a benefit with a wider range of activities and subjects offered if feel more impersonal. Does he know others at the school you are considering through out of school activities, does it even have an in year space?

jackstini · 29/06/2023 11:26

Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 11:07

@jackstini its a good school I’ve taught at state schools that have been as good and a few better. Saying that we are happy with the school it’s the travel last week my DC said “I don’t think I can do this for another 3 years”.
I have to look at options for him

I think your DS saying he can't cope with the travel for another 3 years (& he hasn't hit GCSE level homework yet!) would be a huge factor in the decision for me

You are definitely right to be considering options and I think if you are going to make the move, now is definitely the best time to do it

WhatWillIWear · 29/06/2023 15:22

Essentially it’s probably not worth travelling, (and paying fees for!) a good but not outstanding school.

I see the difference in class size - the private school ought to be offering a fabulous education with only 15 per class, surely?

Original poster
Littlehouse2 · 29/06/2023 15:51

@LIZS he knows children at local state school they are kids who live local to us

OP posts:
Dumbphone · 30/06/2023 07:18

I moved in yr 9, probably towards the middle of the year. I made loads of friends who I still know now and got straight A grades in all of my GCSEs.

My son has moved school three times (terrible to good, good to special needs, special needs to mainstream secondary). He says he likes moving school as he gets to keep his old friends and make new ones. I know it’s disruptive, but where there is a benefit it’s well worthwhile.

He has asked you to move him, there shouldn’t be a debate here. Get him to a local school.