Changing school in year 10

[k1k1]

DS in year 10. I need some advice on whether or not it is possible (I realise it may not be practical or advisable) to change schools from one independent school to another; having already started the GCSE course. I am concerned that he is not in the right school for him. Can anyone help please?

[ElsieR]

yes, it possible but you should bear in mind the following:
-the new school might not offer the same combination of options resulting in your DC starting a new subject he/she originally had not chosen;
-if DC has already taken exam in certain subjects, I believe it possible to carry the points obtained from the module taken. However, if the examinations boards are different between the two schools, this might not be possible. This point should be clarified by the exam officer.
I believe it is a bold move and would not advise it unless your child is desperately unhappy as such a move would be very disruptive in these critical two years.

[GrungeBlobPrimpants]

I have a dd in year 10 - state, but same principles apply
I would really advise against a move UNLESS you can be sure he'll be able to take same subjects with same exam board
My dd has already taken several modules, for example; her friends in other local schools (state and private) have also taken modules - but sometimes different syllabuses (within same exam board) or diff exam boards.
I think you've got to have a really good reason that goes beyond 'not being right school'.
At this stage he'll only just have a year of formal school left - focus on looking elsewhere for sixth form?

[maddy68]

I wouldn't. Even IF they can do the same subjects, they will probably be with different exam boards or different GCSE's within the same exam board.
It could totally screw up the final GCSE's

[k1k1]

Thank you all. The responses have really helped in focusing my attention in the right direction and given me food for thoughts. It is clearly a decision to to be taken lightly or at all

[empirestateofmind]

When students join our school in this situation they start year 10 again. No one is allowed to join in year 11 because of all the reasons cited above.

[roisin]

When we've had students join (state) school during yr10 or at the start of yr11, almost always they have to drop at least one of their option subjects, because it doesn't fit with our timetable or they've been doing a completely different exam board syllabus.

Many, many subjects have modular exams now, but different schools teach them in different orders. So it would be very unusual to find a 'perfect match' for the work she's done so far.

At my school students by the end of yr10 students will have completed modular exams, full GCSEs or formal controlled assessments in English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, MFL, RE, media, and probably others!

Generally I wouldn't move a child in yr10 except in extreme circumstances.
But re-sitting from the start of yr10 might be a possibility at a private school.