Moving back for a year. Schooling options.

[Guest stumpy joe]

Hello All,

 

We are looking into moving back to the UK for a year, one of the main reasons being to give our boys - a 10 year old in year 4 and an 8 year old in year 2 - the experience of living in another country before higher education priorities deny us the opportunity. The difference in the respective school systems means that owing to their birthdays they will jump a year ahead, the eldest being particularly affected as he will be starting high school 17 months earlier than if we stayed in Australia.

 

Has anyone in a similar situation been able to place their kids in the year below where they should be? The county council states that this is at the discretion of the head teacher of the schools, both Primary and Secondary, in question.

 

Any thoughts, experiences appreciated.

[Dawny]

Hi uk schooling starts the first september after the childs 4th birthday! So you will find that some children entering year 7 are aged between 10 + up to 11 + in age depending on birthday! Also entering senior school, they will be tested on their progress to enable the school to place them in the best learning groups! Once settled in an area probably best just to pop into the school of your choice and have a chat with them, they will be more than happy to discus your concerns with you!

Our daughter was placed in the same year here as she was in the uk, just placed in the top group, as was my son and other daughter! You can take a look on the government web site uk

Choosing a school : Directgov - Parents

Dawn

[Guest stumpy joe]

Thanks Dawn.

 

The prospect of having them floundering in a more advanced class is our main concern, not being familiar with the comparisons between the two systems.

 

Best of luck with your move.

[RockDr]

Maybe ask the schools both in australia and in the UK for a copy of the curriculums for each year group, that way you and the schools have something concrete to base discussions on in terms of what your kids have been and will be learning.

[Guest stumpy joe]

Maybe ask the schools both in australia and in the UK for a copy of the curriculums for each year group, that way you and the schools have something concrete to base discussions on in terms of what your kids have been and will be learning.

 

Good idea. Thank you Doctor.

[Guest spongebob]

Hi stumpy Joe.

 

Am living in the Uk, and have never heard of anyone here going into a different year group.

My daughter is about to start year 7, going to senior school. She is 11 as are all her friends (except the last few August babies) She will turn 12 in September 30 days after starting year 7, as she is one of the eldest.

If your son is 10 already he will go into year 6, last year of primary school. (unless his birthday is before the 1st September and thus turns 11).

My youngest daughter is 9 and also the eldest of her year and is going into year 5. All her friends are also 9 (except for the last few august babies). She will turn 10 on the 9th September.

 

Thus:

Year 7: Births 1st September 1998 to 31st August 1999

Year 6: Births 1st September 1999 to 31st August 2000

Year 5: Births 1st September 2000 to 31st August 2001

 

If your son falls into the Year 7 Catagory then his Year 5 naplan results may be (unlikely) taken into consideration. All Year 7's do what's known as CAT tests which you can't study for. These are then used to stream your son into either the: top, middle or bottom streams where the educational level will be tailored to his needs.

 

If your son falls into Year 6, then he will not be formally tested but each work piece he does will be graded and he will be given work according to his ability.

 

Hope this helps. :cute: