Lovetoteach

Thank you for all the suggestions I will look into some of the options.

Basically schools I have contacted have told me that they won’t put kids back a year and that the oldest would only have 3 months to complete her GCSEs before the start mock exams. I was told she would be unlikely to pass any in such a short time. I have also been told you can’t do A-levels without GCSEs.

We had planned to move back to the UK in 2020 barring disaster . We had a small window of opportunity to move with our children who were aged 18, 13 and 12 without messing up their education. Unfortunately two disasters hit us in 2020 Covid and some personal difficulties which has meant that window of time has gone. We are still keen to move and so are the youngest two, oldest is settled here now. The problem is our youngest 2 are now 15 and almost 14 and would be in GCSE years. I have found out that the only way to move the children now without an adverse effect on their education would be to place them in an international school with small class sizes and the option to complete GCSEs over a year. Sadly we can’t afford this option as it looks like £15000+ per child a year. Does anyone know of a different option? I know it’s not looking good and looks likely we will be in Australia for the next 10 years if not forever.

Good luck I hope it all works out for you. We had planned to move back in the middle of last year when our oldest was 18. We wanted to get him through high school first. Oldest was very keen to move back, he told us he hated Australia and was desperate to leave. Due to Covid we discussed putting it back to the end of the year. Then out of the blue he moved out with a girlfriend we didn't know anything about. We have had to put plans on hold and now we don't know what to do for the best. As others have said in 2 1/2 years a lot can happen with teenagers and they may not want to move with you even if they say they do now. If they are keen I'd go now if you can afford to. For your daughter in year 10 I would look at the school system in Scotland and see what year she would be there and what the qualification system is. If she will have missed a whole year it may be hard to catch up. Having said that due to the recent lockdowns may students will be behind. Maybe also contact some schools for advice.

Yes we have a lot to consider, which is part of our reasoning behind leaving it a bit longer. My husband is more keen than I am and we deliberately chose a time so our son ( who was very keen) could finish school but before our other kids hit the critical school years. We have discussed how to increase our pensions over the next few years I both countries. Sometimes I wish we had never come that way we wouldn't have to make the decision.

Yes, we have discussed it, not ideal we know which is why end of 2021 would be our absolute last chance or at least the last chance for 10 more years. As it is we would be most likely leaving behind a 20 year old who earlier in the year insisted he hated Australia but has since moved in with a girlfriend. There are worse places to be than Australia so the thought of staying long term doesn't worry us but we would currently prefer to be closer to our parents as they get older.

We like you had decided to move at the end of the year and made some plans and timelines. Covid 19 and some personal challenges made us change our dates to July 2021. We have recently decided to leave in until the end of 2021. It's not ideal as our children will be 13 and 14 with the oldest part way through year 10. We decided that is the absolute latest date we can go and if it still looks bad we won't go.

Yes we are also frustrated. Decided in January to leave at the end of the year after 10 years in SA. This gave us time to save up, book flights we wanted in advance, sell home, cars and belongings without the stress. We'd also planned to see as much of Australia as possible by the end of the year. Our youngest would also finish primary school here, go on her Canberra trip like her older siblings. Now our trips are cancelled, savings on hold, house prices?

Hi Goldieinoz we will most likely move at the end of the year but dependent on house sale.

Sorry can't help you much but we are debating the same as you. From what have researched looks like the container option shipped from Adelaide to London will be about $8000 packed up by company but depends on many factors.

Thanks for those who have posted costs to move their belongings. I know each person's situation is different but it does help when deciding if it is worth shipping all or a little.

How much have people spent moving their belongings back to the UK?

Thanks for the tip. I will have to have a look.

Thanks for the reply paulswin. It's positive you got a mortgage, my hubby is going to be 50 as well so that is good news. Shame about the house prices though. We'd like to live in the SouthEast and that prices look crazy. Unfortunately our house here won't have risen much over the last 5 years since we bought it.

Thanks for all your responses it sounds quite positive. It took 4 years to get a mortgage here in Australia , I would hate to wait another 4 over there.