Is Year 10 too late to change schools ?

[pudern]

Hi,
My ds is currently in Year 10. While he was fine at this school last 2 years, this year he seems very unsettled. He is a top performer and form captain. This year he is facing high level of disruption in the class and passive bullying. Additionally, we have recently moved to a different area and this has increased his commute time from 15mins to 60mins. His current School is single sex CoE State school. Rated Good by Ofsted with class disruption identified as an improvement point.

Ds now wants to change School. Fortunately, we have managed to secure a space in a better school in our local area (10 mins commute). Ds is keen to move but I am not sure about the impact on his GCSEs. Is Year 10 too late to change Schools ?

My DS changed in year 11, then dropped back and redid year 10. He had missed almost a whole year of school due to bullying. It was the best decision.

Not not too late especially as he wants to!

Do it now before half term and it should be ok with any work that needs to be caught up with.

Do the subjects and exam board match?

Does new school start GCSE subjects in year 9 or 10?

I thought that starting GCSE courses in year 9 had been discouraged in schools now.

Yes the exam boards are same in both schools

The new school just started GCSEs in Year 10

If he’s moving, move him ASAP, and warn him he’ll need to do a lot of work over half term to catch up. Even with the same exam boards, pupils are likely to have learnt different topics as there’s no set order to teach them in.

Have you checked that the same subjects are available at the new school? Eg if he chose art is there space in the art class, or will he have to change to music?

I think if he wants to change, and is prepared to put the work in, then I'd move him ASAP.

do it immediately and get him catching up over half term

I'd do it and do it quickly. Sounds like he's the one asking for the move so hopefully that will be mean he's in the right head space for it. Also means he can make friends around where you now live. If he's engaged in a positive way with the move he will catch up quickly. Good luck.

In that case move him fast but be willing to put time into making sure he's caught up

If he wants to move and the exam boards match up, I would do it.

If they'll take him then you can. Socially it'll be a big job for him though - make absolutely sure he understands what a big step it is. I would also maybe buy him revision guides (CGP are often good) and actively make sure he catches up in missed work. If he makes the move he should expect to spend time going over missed material, reading the English text he has been missing if different to what he's been studying etc. It's much more manageable now than when the gaps become apparent in Easter of Y11.

I think if the new school have just started GCSEs, then a switch at this stage won't be terrible.

However, he may not be able to do his current options at the new school. If he does switch, he really needs to do so ASAP.

A commute of 60 minutes is a lot, so I do think a switch is a good idea, especially if DS is struggling with the commute.

Thanks for all the responses. Very helpful.

my daughter moved in year 10 I would recommend moving asap. Young people are more likely to work harder and achieve if happy and settled.

Dear all,

thanks for all the responses and for sharing your experience
my DS started at his new school today with a spring in his step!

my own reflection: Change sometimes may appear hard to us 'grown-ups' but for the youth it is a source of new learning and experiences, expanding life perspectives

Many thanks to you all again

So lovely to hear