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Secondary education

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Moving school in Year 10

132 replies

winterrabbit · 21/10/2024 10:15

DS was at a private school from year 7 and moved in year 10 (just this September past) to another private school that had a small entry point in year 10. The results at this new school are a lot better (65% grades 7-9 as opposed to 43% at his old school) and facilities much much better. We decided to apply very late in year 10 as not overly happy with the old school as there was some disruption in classes, results not great for a private school and virtually no facilities, however, DS was happy there. DS got offered a place, did a taster day and we decided to move him although we were both a little unsure at the time but the school only gave us a week to decide so we took a chance. DS started at the beginning of September but he really doesn't like it and wants to go back to his old school. The school day at his new school is really long and he says the lessons are very strict and boring, plus, although he has made some friends, he says they are not his type of people (all very posh and nerdy (his words), plus the school day is very long and the journey there is a lot longer and more difficult so he's exhausted. Even though the facilities are great, you are forced to do the school sports and he isn't into rugby at all and has a lot of existing sports commitments outside of school. I told DS to give it until half term to settle but he is still saying he wants to go back to his old school. Old school still has a place for him and says they would love to have him back. I feel in my heart, although new school is better on paper and the organisation and communication is excellent, I can't bear for him to be unhappy and should let him return to his old school. However, new school has said we will need to pay for next term as well as 1 term's notice is required. We already paid for this term and old and new school which has nearly bankrupt me and I really don't want to go it again although would think about it if it meant DS being happy. WWYD??

OP posts:
winterrabbit · 06/01/2025 17:09

Marblediamond · 06/01/2025 16:06

That’s a shame; so you didn’t take the place when it was available?

Unfortunately not as we were trying to give it longer to see if he would settle. Such a mess. The only option now would be to move him to one of our local state schools which has places. Neither are particularly good but he knows people there and they are close to home. He'd probably get a place fairly quickly.

OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 06/01/2025 18:14

It is a mess. Moving after half a term would have been bad enough, now a whole term has passed, plus a bit longer while you decide.

Does the state school offer all of the subjects that he’s taking and use the same exam board? Are they studying the same texts?

If not then the ship really has sailed and you’re all just going to have to make the most of the current situation.

winterrabbit · 06/01/2025 18:17

Muchtoomuchtodo · 06/01/2025 18:14

It is a mess. Moving after half a term would have been bad enough, now a whole term has passed, plus a bit longer while you decide.

Does the state school offer all of the subjects that he’s taking and use the same exam board? Are they studying the same texts?

If not then the ship really has sailed and you’re all just going to have to make the most of the current situation.

Yes, broadly similar but would still be disruptive moving him so balancing that against his happiness.

As for taking more time to decide, the majority of posters here were saying NOT to move him and that we hadn't given it a chance, so you can't have it both ways!

OP posts:
clary · 06/01/2025 22:35

winterrabbit · 06/01/2025 18:17

Yes, broadly similar but would still be disruptive moving him so balancing that against his happiness.

As for taking more time to decide, the majority of posters here were saying NOT to move him and that we hadn't given it a chance, so you can't have it both ways!

@winterrabbit as I and others I think have posted, this was and is a decision for your and to some extent your DS. It’s easy for me to say I would do xyz; it’s not my child, it’s not my money and it’s not my education.

Remember that at this stage in year 10 a student will be pretty much a quarter of the way through their learning for GCSEs. They will have studied one Eng lit text, have half-finished the first of three MFL themes, etc. I would want to be sure a new school was closer to having done the same work than “broadly similar” suggests.

Ziegfeld · 11/09/2025 15:19

What happened in the end @winterrabbit ?

OxfordInkling · 11/09/2025 15:22

winterrabbit · 21/10/2024 11:06

Apparently the disruption in lessons has been addressed this year. Facilities are a loss but they don't get to use a lot of them anyway and DS has all his sports commitments outside of school anyway so doesn't really need the on-site facilities. Agree with the comment on the results. They are not poor as such but poor for a private school although it is a non-selective school.

didnt realise it’s a bit of a zombie

SheilaFentiman · 11/09/2025 15:23

OxfordInkling · 11/09/2025 15:22

didnt realise it’s a bit of a zombie

Edited

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