Should I move dd2 from her school

[beezmum]

Has anyone decided to move their child, in, or at end of reception? I'm very unhappy with education at dd1 and 2's infant school.

DD2 really really did do no written work for a whole month in her year 2 class and the written work was the only thing that was provable, she seemed to be learning nothing. I complained and received big, contrite apologies from the Headteacher but still they mostly do optional 'learning activities' without teacher input. There is a place at a lovely, more distant, infants school for dd2. However, she is currently happy, with friends and settled in her reception class. Should I just ride out 3 years at a school I can't stand as long as they are happy?
Also if dd2 moves then thats a guaranteed place at massively oversubscribed lovely school for ds in a few years!
Oh I don't know...

[NoahAndTheWhale]

Is DD2 in reception or Year 2? Am a little confused.

Are you going to be able to move DD1 as well?

I would say if you aren't happy and are able to move your children that you should do it - they will make new friends.

[beezmum]

I'm clearly rather incoherent! DD1 is in year 2 and I think its too late to move her as she will be changing school for year 3 anyway.

[NoahAndTheWhale]

Is the other school an infant school as well or a primary one?

And how easy would it be to take both DDs to different schools?

Would you only be able to move DD2 now, or would she be able to move at the beginning of Year 1?

Were you happy with DD1s education there before Year 2 - is it this class in particular or the whole school you are finding not good?

Sorry for all the questions - am just trying to think of things I would think of

[NoahAndTheWhale]

I thought I remembered a thread from you a couple of months ago about year 2 work - have seen it now and also seen that there was a new headteacher in September, which could obviously have made a difference to what happens there.

[beezmum]

Quite right. The new headteacher was a year ago and the school also merged with a junior at the same time. (I adored the school in reception for dd1 before it merged under new head)
DD1's teacher is particularly awful in a school that has policies that allow her to get away with it. I don't really want dd2 to stay under this particular version of 'learning through play' whether or not she is unlucky enough to get landed with that year 2 teacher in the future.
Dd1 will be off to a local private school that begins with year 3 as we get a big discount for her.
So I will be moving dd2 for possibly just two years. There is a space now in other school but logistically moving her in Sept is better with school runs etc.

[marriedtoagoodun]

We did. We had a glowing report at the end of reception (which involved two part time job share teachers for one term, one supply part time teacher and one part time teacher for one term and then final term one part time teacher and one TA). Within six weeks of year 1 starting we were told, however, DD was 'special needs' as she was so behind averages!

Moved her at the end of first term and she is now in Year 2 thriving (and acheiving ) in new school. Having said that we have also made the decision for her to re-sit her year 2 as she is still behind her peer group who had a continuous and stable start to their schooling. (She is an August baby, born prem, and also has a bowel condition so she had lots of time off school so not just down to bad start but certainly did not help.) It is a very long time to wait if you are unhappy with the school's way of doing things.

Best of luck.

[marriedtoagoodun]

First term in year 1 (ie did not wait for september)

[frecklyspeckly]

good luck; we are having to move ds in YR2 and DD in reception and move house too so I know what a worry it is. I keep hearing they will adapt.