Switching primary schools?

BatCat

Hi Folks,
I'm just testing the waters here because I'm not sure what we're going to do but I'd like to know what my options are.
My older son started P1 at our nearby school a couple of weeks ago. His teacher is lovely and the school is well thought of.... but... he just doesn't seem to 'fit in'. We had the same problem when he was at the nursery. He had no friends at all, complained no one played with him and then made 1 little friend. Now he says that none of the other boys play with him and he's been having nightmares and not sleeping well. He's just not very happy.

There is another school up the road which is also very well thought of (and where there are slightly fewer little boys with spiked hair and earrings) and I'm tempted to explore moving him if he is still miserable in a couple of months time.

Is changing school mid year an incredibly painful process to go through?

We're not from NI so I suppose I'm more mindful of my son being excluded from playing with the other kids but I'd just like him to enjoy his primary education and make some friends.
Thanks,
BatCat

pepper75

hi have you tried speaking to the teacher or maybe arrange a play date with a couple of the mums to see if that helps.
smetimes it can just take a while to settle in

catnia

Hi, as a teacher of P1 myself I would really urge you to speak to your child's teacher about this before you make any decisions. As a Mum, I totally understand how upsetting it must be to feel that your child doesn't have many friends. You need to meet with the teacher to let her know that he is having nightmares and not sleeping well. Often, children in school can appear happy enough but the insecurities show at home with sleeplessness etc so it may be that the teacher isn't even aware there is a problem. The vast majority of P1 teachers would do their utmost to ensure that your little boy is happy and settled in school so please give your child's teacher a chance to help. pepper75's suggestion of a playdate is an excellent idea also. All the best!

leftieM

I moved my child at the end of P2. She was reluctant to go into school every morning and she hadn't settled into a group there. There was nothing 'wrong' with the school - it had a good academic record and the teachers were great. However we were not from the area and it emerged that many of the children were from a close-knit community to which we didn't, and would never, belong. I put my child down for a different school and got a place after a year of waiting.
She's in P5 now and has loads of friends. She is so confident now too. She remembers her few friends at the other school and is thrilled when she bumps into them but moving her was a very good move. At least, that's what she tells me!
If I were you I would follow my instinct and move school. Maybe wait until after Christmas and go then if you still want to.

BatCat

Thanks folks! I'll have a word with the teacher & see what she says. I can't arrange play dates because we don't know any of the parents or kids really either. I drop him off in the morning but work most days so I can't pick him up.
I thought joining the local scouts would help too?
Thanks for your story leftiem! Glad it has a happy ending! Was it a difficult process to follow?
Thanks again! Batcat

leftieM

BatCat wrote: »

Was it a difficult process to follow?
Batcat

Not at all. I went to see the principal of the school and filled out a form and then got a call at the beginning of the summer. If the school isn't full they'll probably take you there and then.