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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

What would you do?

29 replies

cantdecidewhatsbest · 20/10/2023 07:46

The basic question is, would you relocate, 130 miles from 'home', for a better school and lifestyle?

Our eldest DC was unsuccessful in the 11+ locally to us and the local comprehensive is dire.

DH and I have talked about moving for a long time so this decision is exclusively based around schools, but the 11+ has forced our hand to make a decision.

We have 2 options; as this has been a long term idea, DC took and passed the 11+ in another region. We could move there and give them the grammar opportunity, but we're not 💯 sold on the area. Or, we go somewhere else, an area we really like, no grammar school but an excellent comprehensive.

Other ruminations I'm struggling with:

Right now we live on the easy commute into London. If we move, I worry this takes away the opportunity for a city career like DH has enjoyed when the kids are young adults.

Hospitals; one DC has complex heath needs and right now we have a major hospital 15 mins across town. If we move, it will be 30 mins on a motorway. But if he were very ill, we'd need an ambulance or maybe air ambulance so this maybe not the worry I foresee it to be.

So..would you take a leap of faith for a better education for both kids in the long term? Or stick out out where we are?

Work for DH and isn't a factor; he's now fully remote and my work is all over the country so finding a new role shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
cantdecidewhatsbest · 20/10/2023 09:58

My DC is bright and capable, he will do well. I'm worried about disruption to learning in lessons, which will prevent him fulfilling his potential. It's a common issue there, and I worry for him being an easy target for undesirables as he is a very gentle natured child, yes I could toughen him up, but that's not the point.

Bullying and aggressive behaviour is a known issue in the school, there's also gang culture. The school are dealing with it but I'd rather not have my child in that environment if there's a choice.

We have sold out house. As I said earlier, if you're moving there are loopholes in the dates and procedures for this reason. I've spoken at length with the local authorities involved.

OP posts:
Elliebellie87 · 20/10/2023 10:03

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cantdecidewhatsbest · 20/10/2023 10:26

No, there's are others, the nearest isn't any better. Any school would involve a move and house prices here are very high for obvious reasons around those great schools

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 20/10/2023 10:31

Are you planning on moving into rental? House purchases can take months.

We did move for schools... in Yr5. Offered September, moved April....

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