Moving your child to a new school

Moving a child to a new school is a big step and one that needs lots of thought. It might look like an easy option but in reality it isn't.

You need to consider

Could the problem be resolved with the input of the governors and LEA? How easily will your child fit into an established year group? Does the new school use the same exam board?	Will your child miss his/her friends? How easily will your child fit into an established year group? Do the bullies also have friends at the new school? Will the travel arrangements be more difficult?

If you still want to change school then you simply contact the new one, arrange to have a look around, and if you like it then you agree a start date between you.

Things are more complicated if the new school is full. In that case you will need to get an appeal form from the LEA. Church schools have their own appeal arrangements. Sometimes, if your reason for moving the child is good enough, and the school is not over-full, the LEA will simply agree to the child being transferred without an appeal.

Appeal panelOtherwise, the parents have to go before an appeal panel where the LEA has to make the case that the pupils already at the school will be more disadvantaged by having your child on roll than your child will be by not being given a place.

Usually these schools are not just full, they are hugely over-full and parents can't expect that every appeal will be successful.

To give the best chance, it's helpful to have copies of letters to the head teacher, governors and LEA and from your doctor to show that you really have done all you can to try to sort the problem out.

If you simply remove your child and then hope the fact they are not at school will be a lever to getting them into the school of your choice, you're likely to be disappointed.

The best schools are always full and have waiting lists and your child is likely to be allocated to a less popular school with vacancies. Less popular often means poorer exam results and discipline.

Why moving school is not always the best optionAlthough some pupils move schools successfully we know of many others who find it difficult to settle in, who find bullying is still a problem and who end up feeling isolated and friendless.

If your child moves to another school mid term, encourage them to invite other pupils home so that they have the chance to build up some good friendships.

If your child is transferring from primary school and you're worried that he/she may have continuing problems with bullies, contact the head of first year at the secondary school before the end of the summer term and explain the problem. Ask if your child can be put into a different form away from anyone who has been bullying him/her.

Secondary schools are normally very helpful because they don't want pupils to have a difficult start to their new school life.

Contact us on help@bullying.co.uk if you need more help.

Other pages in this sectionBullying policies / Role of the DCSF / Is my child being bullied? / School bus bullies
Practical help with racism / Dealing with racism / How does bullying make a child feel? / Dealing with a younger bully
Adults' survey results / Teachers' survey results / Contacting the school / Access to pupil records
Contacting the Governors and LEAa / Is my child a bully? / Who can help on racism / Parents' problem page
If your child is bullying others / Do you share blame? / Dealing with an older bully / Teacher bullying
Home schooling / Bullying in sport / Parents' panel - Have your say / Parents' survey results
Moving your child to a new school / Pupils' survey results / Taking legal action / Bullying outside school
Independent and private schools / Model letters to help your complaint / National Bullying Survey 2006