State secondary after independent primary?

[OneMoreMum]

Has anyone sent their child to a large state comprehensive after a small independent? If so how did they get on?

We move our kids into a small independent school a few years ago as they weren't dong well at our local school. Oldest moves on to secondary school in September and we're really not sure if we can afford to commit ourselves to the fees for the rest of his schooling.

Our local comp is definitely not for us but there's a reasonable chance we may get into the next nearest one which has a good reputation and results. He's very shy, though, won't know anyone there and there will be as many children in the year as there are in his entire school at the moment.

Any advice?

[mary21]

Two things I believe the deadline for applications for Sept10 was in October so you will need to check your position with the LEA as a late applicant.
I know someone who did it from a small special school. so it wouldnt be too much 0f a shock the moved the child to the link primary for the end of year 6 which was a mistake as it was the end of the year and all the friendships were in place but as soon as she hit the comprehensive she flourished and they wondered a bit why they had been cosseting her in this tiny school for so many years

[OneMoreMum]

We've applied for both an independent and the state school, he has a place at the independent if we want it (have paid a deposit which will hold it until Easter) and will find out about the state allocation the beginning of March.

I'd just like to have more of a feeling in advance for which way we'll jump if we do get a place at the good state school.

Good to hear your friend's child did well though.

[OneMoreMum]

Any more help on this?
Obviously we still don't know if we have a place at the decent state school yet but I'm worrying myself sick about making the right decision.
I went to a terrible state school myself & managed to salvage a half-decent education out of it (although I can see what I missed too), but my brother got in with a really rough crowd and it has completely ruined his life.
I'd sell my soul to avoid that (and to keep 2 boys on at private may well have to!)

[webwiz]

My two DDs went to a secondary school with one other person from their primary school that they didn't know very well and it wasn't a problem. The school made a real effort to help the new year 7's settle and make friends. My eldest DD was quite shy and she had made friends by the end of the taster day that they did in July. Schools are aware that secondary schools seem big and confusing to new year 7s and do all they can to ease them into their new routines.

In fact it was more of a problem for DS who went to a feeder primary school and moved up to secondary with about 30 children from his primary - he's in year 8 now about we still have old fallings out surfacing from primary school which is very annoying.

[mnistooaddictive]

I taught a girl who did this and she was of a shy nature. She was very happy with the change. All year 7 pupils are coming from much smaller schools and all have the shock of a new school.
Make a real point of getting him to do things with other boys at the school i.e. football or laser quest or whatever he likes to do.
Are there any activities he can start now where he might meet people he will be at school at?

[seeker]

There are girls at my dd's school who came from tiny primary schools - indeendent and state - and they are doing fine.A couple pf dd's friends really relish the independence of bring in a crowd after years of being one of 15!

[ADifferentMe]

We did this with DD2 - went from small private prep where she was extremely happy to a large comp.

She found the first six months a bit of a struggle (and so did I!) but I can honestly say she's as happy now as she was at primary. She's now in Y9 and after a slow start academically she's really taken off and has GCSE predictions way beyond what I would have expected.

She has also developed the ability to fit in with anyone she meets (she even has two accents ).

Good luck, it's daunting but it can work!

[circular]

Our DD (now YR8) went from a selective private 2 x ~19 per year, to a state comp 7 x ~27 per year.

She spent most of YR7 complaining that she had done all the work previously - in YRs 3 & 4, and still finds most of it easy.

It was a bit of a culture shock - she couldn't understand how kids got away with swearing in the playground. She mixed with kids that did not want to work for the first time ever, and saw teachers being unable to control classes.

She's quite outgoing, and not easily led,which is fortunate. She has made some really nice friends, and recognises who those to avoid are. She still keeps in touch with some from her old school - most of whom are still there as it goes up to 18.

Mixed feelings whether it has been truly a good move academically BUT she is much happier overall.

[HennyRettaBadaBada]

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but a good friend's child did as you describe and had a truly hideous time of it - not least because he'd been to an independent primary and was therefore a target for bullies (had his head flushed down the loo etc etc). Of course, there's no guarantee that your son will be happy at whichever school you choose. What's your gut feeling?

I really, really sympathise re. fees, though. My two are at independent primaries (one on a scholarship), and I have no idea how we will manage it at secondary level!

[creditcrunched]

Hi Onemoremum, my ds is in the position you are talking about. He is leaving his prep school this summer and will go to a state secondary where he won't know anyone.

We have no idea which one he will get into and have applied for some grammars as well as local faith school and comps.
He is a social child but it will be a huge change for him. His sister moved last year to a local state primary and has settled in well, so he sees that it can work.

As soon as we know which school we have been allocated, I plan to go all out to meet people with boys there through the school PTA, attend any music or school fairs that they are running etc etc. Basically, just giving him as much opportunity as possible to visit the school, get familiar with the types of kids who go and the area its in etc etc.

Just hate the waiting to find out...3 weeks to go!

[londongirl1]

yes we moved our DD from an independent to a state (primary though) - didn't work for her academically though she was just as happy there ... and I think the school work wouldve settled down if we'd stuck with it longer (and got outside tuition)and pushed the teachers. But as we didnt have to, we pulled her out after a year and she's back in an indie girls school going into Y7 next year. I think children are very adaptable. Even now DD says she'd be happy going to the local school - she'd just play 'with the nice children' ... she obviously has some friends from her old state school going there.