Changing schools advice.

glitter03

Hi, i was wondering if anyone could give me any advice or information regarding changing my 5yr olds primary school.

Firstly, how would you go about doing this?

Can you do it at any time through the year? Are they any dis/advantages to either doing it midway through school year vs waiting till Sept?


Also, any advice regarding how she will cope having to leave her friends behind and make new ones. Has anyone gone through this with a child of a similar age and did they adjust well?

This part of the process is making me reluctant to even think about it in too much depth.

Any advice welcome, thanks! x

Want2makeitstretchfurther

Hi, what is your reason for wanting to change school at this stage? Usually I would advise against it unless there ity is unavoidable, eg having to move away for a job. As she has only just started school and will be getting settled in I would say it would be disruptive and unsettling for her and therefore impact on her learning and social skills.

P.S

I am a mum of 4 teenagers, nursery nurse, adult ed teacher and have spent several years working as an education welfare officer.

jacqhale

Hi, not done it myself but ds is in a very popular school with a long waiting list. He has been there for 3 years and each year had someone leave and someone else move from another school to fill the gap. All these kids seem to settle in very quickly and make new friends. Kids are really adaptable and I would not worry if it is unavoidable or you feel the move is for a much better school.

Not sure what the process would be, imagine you would need to be on a waiting list and wait for a phone call?

chocdonuty

I've done this twice, both due to an unexpected house move, once in april and once in the summer holidays.
First of all I contacted the local county council to see which schools had places and from there rang the school themselves,
In the summer holidays I had to send a letter to the head and await a call in the week before they started school again, slightly nerve wracking!!
Think I had forms to fill in too but it's a fairly simple process and kids do adapt easily.

Carl31

We rang another local primary, they invited us to have a look and our 2 were moved within weeks

I think it just depends if they have space?

glitter03

Thanks all for the responses

The reason i am wanting to change her schools is because the last two ofsted reports are showing that the school is failing the children and has not made any improvements since the last report.

At her last parents evening her teacher told us that she is working at the same level as the year 2's (she is currently year 1) and i feel like the longer she stays in this school the more likely she is to fall behind further up the school.


I am very worried about her adapting to a new class and teacher if i were to move her as she would not know anybody and i cannot bear the thought of her being lonely or upset because i moved her away from all her friends.

chocdonuty

Ofsteds are not the be all and end all, to be perfectly honest if your dd is happy where she is then keep her there. Kids do adapt but there is disturbance in doing so, the teacher will take a bit of time getting used to your dd and how she works, a whole new school and their way of doing things to get used to and not to mention finding new friends! This all could slow her progess down if only temporarily so unless there are major concerns I'd be inclined to leave her where she is.

glitter03

chocdonuty wrote: »

Ofsteds are not the be all and end all, to be perfectly honest if your dd is happy where she is then keep her there. Kids do adapt but there is disturbance in doing so, the teacher will take a bit of time getting used to your dd and how she works, a whole new school and their way of doing things to get used to and not to mention finding new friends! This all could slow her progess down if only temporarily so unless there are major concerns I'd be inclined to leave her where she is.

Ofsted have rated her school as 'inadequate' on most things. I know it is not the be all and end all but i am very concerned and i believe it is currently in 'special measures' status.

Rockporkchop

I might give it a bit longer then as a school in special measures is given a huge amount of assistance and support and also funding I believe. My DD's school was in special measures six years ago and is rated "good" by Ofsted now.

To answer your question though, you go to your council's website schools section and complete the Mid Year Application form. The council then approach your chosen schools on your behalf and should respond back to you within a couple of weeks. You might as well do this now and see if there are any places available elsewhere - there is such a shortage of places you might be disappointed.

glitter03

I looked again at the reports last night and realised the one i am referring to above was Nov 2011.

They did a big overhaul on the school after that it appears and in April 2012 it was rated as 'satisfactory'.

I know they had another 2 day visit last week which is why i have mistaken the 2011 report as this one. I thought that it was saying they had made no improvement since last year.

I will wait for this months report to be published before making any further decisions.

Thanks to all who offered help or an opinion

onlyroz

glitter03 wrote: »

They did a big overhaul on the school after that it appears and in April 2012 it was rated as 'satisfactory'.

As far as Ofsted goes, "satisfactory" means just that - the school is performing to expected standards. Unless your instincts are telling you that there is something wrong, I'd say to leave her where she is.