Changing school in Y 8-9

[Rocketboots]

Hi - first time poster. Does anyone have experience of changing secondary schools in Y8 or Y9? I’m thinking of moving from the SW back to the NE nearer my family, but worried about how my son will cope.

Moved DD in Year 9 and had no issues. It was a relatively small secondary she moved too and she just slot right in. With the school being small she had teacher support so wasn't just another face if that makes sense. Some of the content was different however, so that did take a bit of catching up. Good luck.

For various reasons DS1 attended four different high schools in two different continents in Y8 and Y9. He coped absolutely fine and made friends everywhere he went. He wasn’t very happy about the last move as he had only been at one school for six weeks but we knew quickly that we had made a big mistake with that school and he accepted our reasons for the move after a bit of moaning. He stayed there for the last four years of his schooling and enjoyed it. Most kids will manage ok, if you are confident in your decision I would go for it, usually kids will take their cues from the adult around them.

DH changed schools in Y9 because his parents moved to a different part of the country. Critically, he moved after Options had been chosen, and had to take slightly different options at his new school. Other than that - no problems. The boy who buddied him when he joined the new school became his best friend - still is 35 years later.

Some parts of the NE - parts of N Tyneside - have a 3 tier first/middle/high school system. You'll have to check out the details, but I think the move to high school is into Y9 - so it could be possible to time your move to coincide with this, where everyone will be new together.

Obviously, this is only helpful if you are planning to move to a middle school area, but there would be worse places to go than Whitley Bay.

Thanks for that, that really is helpful advice. :)

Wow! Yes I agree it’s what you make it - I’m glad it worked out so positively for you. Thanks for the advice

I LOVE Whitley Bay!

My daughter changed schools for Year 8 after spending Year 7 at a different school. Absolutely seemless transition. In facts, teachers and some kids thought she had been there since Year 7 😂 There were a few new kids who joined in Year 8, so she wasn't the only one.

We’ll be moving out of London early next year (fingers crossed) my daughter has just started Year 8 and my son Year 3. It’s my daughter I’m worried about and this affecting her GCSE’s
she’s a very confident girl makes friends easily and academically is thriving (in the top set for majority of her subjects) we would get her a tutor if she needs one. Am I right to be concerned or am I being dramatic?
anyone else changed their children’s schools in secondary and what was your experience ?
thank you

Change for the beginning of Y9 if you have to, but preferably in Y8.

Lots of schools will start GCSEs in Y9 and your DC can't afford to miss part of it, or find that options are not available.

There is usually quite a lot of coming and going at secondary school. Yr 9 has quite a few new starters who drop out of prep schools and don’t make it on to senior schools that start at Yr 9

I moved to a new school aged 13 and hated it, found it very difficult and lonely and vowed never to do the same to my children. How does your child feel about it ? I would be worried about my child having a different accent too.