How to help son decide about moving schools or not

[Applesontoast]

DS is year 9 and currently in a school where for various reasons he is thinking of leaving. He has some friends in his school but better friends in another school. Other school is in a language he is more comfortable with which DS thinks would lead to better exam results in future. Now the time has come to make a decision, he seems frozen and unsure. I think he knows he would prefer the new school and knows he would be fine friend wise but is also very nervous at the thought of leaving behind the familiar. He’s been for a visit at the new school and liked it. I am 100% behind whatever decision he makes but he does actually need to make it. Any ideas on how to help him make his decision? We have talked about pros and cons of both and he just keeps saying he will think about it but then getting nowhere. He isn’t unhappy in current school so it’s very hard. Both schools are an 10 min walk from our house. Any advice much appreciated on how to help him make such a big decision. Thank you

If he’s year 9, what has happened to make him unsettled at his current school? You say he’s not unhappy, so is it just that he has more friends in another school?

He must be 12 or 13, so I think it should be a decision that ultimately, you make, as his parent. Of course, his opinion is important, but you’re the adult.

If he is in Year 9 then is he thinking about GCSE choices for next year - will that help him decide? For example, if one school doesn't offer a subject and/or combination that he wants or, alternately, forces him to do a subject he'd rather drop.
When is the deadline for GCSE choices?

Give him a deadline? Say he must make up his mind by the end of term? (Assuming the option of moving to the new school remains open that long.) And stick to it.

Unless you actually think the other school would be better for him, in which case make the decision for him.

(And sometimes tossing a coin works, because it shows you what you really want to do.)

Thank you. I chatted things through with him just now and he’s opted to stay although I actually think the other school would be best for him GCSE wise. Possibly only marginally so though. I think the thought of the unknown is panicking him and making him opt to stay.

I actually think the other school would be best for him GCSE wise.
As PP said above, sometimes when you flip a coin it helps concentrate the mind and reveals your true feelings. He has, just now, flipped a metaphorical coin. Give him a chance to mull over the decision in the next few days and allow him wriggle-room to change his mind.

What made you choose the original school in the first place? Are those reasons string and still valid?

I'd say he needs to move sooner rather change later if he is going to, due to GCSE options, then the 2 year course. Realistically, if he doesn't go now, he's got snother 2.5 years before the opportunity is sensible again.

I don't think it should be his decision. It is too much to put on him - yes ask his opinion and take them into account, but the decision should not be placed upon him. He is too young to see the bigger picture, and the pressure if the decision will be crippling

both schools are equally as good as each other. They’re just in different languages. He is fluent in both but the other school is his first language. I don’t think either school would be crippling but I do think he might find the other school easier. We as parents are fluent in both languages. I’ve said to him that he can give me a final decision at the end of term so he’s got some wriggle room. I think the thought of the unknown is too scary even though he has lots of friends there and he doesn’t want to take the leap. I am fine with whichever school he opts for as I think he will do fine in either one and I want it to be his decision