Forcing dc to move schools

[Luckything50]

Dd12 is in y8 of big comp. Lots of friends who she loves and has worked hard to build up. She does not love school though, does not want to go in and does not enjoy lessons. School is struggling and few in her peer group aspire to anything other than hanging out in parks or on phones etc. There is the possibility of moving her in y9 to an outstanding upper school in an area where, in general, kids are higher achievers. Dd obviously does not want to leave her friends. Does anyone have experience of or views on essentially forcing the move, albeit slowly and gradually over this year? I always thought I would never contemplate being so draconian but am wondering now. If she were happy it wouldn’t be an issue but she isn’t, but will resist with every fibre of her being. Opinions pls.

Will she be moving for 6th form anyway? Will she do 6th form in the new school? Pointing out that at some point she will have to move might help? You say upper school, is it a three tier system? Will there be some mixing and mingling of children from different places, so she won't be going in straight into established groups? What are her ambitions? Can you sit her down and look at the facts and figures? Even OFSTED reports? Yes, I know that OFSTED and such are not always worth the paper they are written on but she doesn't necessarily know that. A discussion of where she wants to go and which school might help her to achieve that might work at this stage. We used that with our 11yr year old.