My son (14) is weak socially and as a result he has become the punchbag of his year. He has no friends and is isolated - when we try help with his social skills he seems to get it and agrees where he’s going wrong which can then bring slagging upon himself (no excuse for the shits doing it!!) recently he has started being attacked physically, items stolen, won’t pass ball to him in sport etc.
He’s outgoing, enthusiastic, optimistic, very resilient and would love a group of pals. The school he is in now is strong academically and he is doing all higher level subjects, has strong teachers and is doing well academically. The all boys catholic school he is in has tried to help where they can but they can’t make boys be friends with him - they punish any boys who hit/steal/verbally attack him yet it continues - as it is not a small few lads doing it there are many of them so always someone next in line to take over!
I applied to the local non denominational mixed school where my son has said he would like to go. This is a new school with no proven track record as yet. Reports coming out of the school are good, parents and kids seem happy. Based on the issues my son is having the principal has offered him a spot in second year - he’s be repeating second year in the new school.
This school is an eclectic mix of kids, more innovative/less traditional, mixed sex, more for the square pegs. I’ve heard it’s more accepting, inclusive, willing to support those with extra needs socially or otherwise.
Would you make the move?? It would be a leap of faith as the issues could follow him if he’s the root cause. The school could prove weaker academically but this could be his chance of finding friends and happiness.
Also with Covid - next year may be mostly at home. Would we be better staying in the current school for third year and try move him in fourth year?
He wants to move, doesn’t mind the extra year in school - he was willing to travel 40 mins by bus to another school if it meant leaving the current one so I know he’s serious about moving.
We are continuously working on his social skills and he feels it’s a reputation thing holding him back and that the lads in the current school won’t give him the opportunity to show he’s matured so he wants a clean slate
I’m torn, help!!