Has anybody taken their kids out of main stream school and into a public school at age 12?

Question

if so how did they find it?
I'm not happy with my daughters school, mainly due to violence going on around her almost every day.
Today she has been vacinated against Hepititus B and had blood taken because a boy in her class has stabbed her leg with a pin or needle.
If I move her schools immediately I am strongly considering an independent school.

and Im not being a snob....I send my kids to school for an education......Not to learn how to survive each day

Answer 1

Yes, I have done it and many parents who care about their children's education and school experience do it. If you can afford it then can you afford not to do it given what you have described. It is not a cop out but a cop in to education which your girls can actually access. School is for education not gaining credibility or emotional scars for sticking out an awful experience, our children deserve better than that.

Answer 2

My partner had it happen to him for the opposite reason (he was being a right little thug and his parents wanted to keep him away from bad influences). Sadly, bullying was just as bad in his boys' private school ... so be very careful, as 99% A*-C league tables can hide stats like (these are true of one girl's school I know) 30% of girls cut themselves, 23% have an eating disorder!

Essentially, check these things:
1) The staff are QUALIFIED. Legally they don't have to be in the private sector, and because the kids won't eat a stammering graduate alive, some private schools employ inexperienced staff who actually deliver poor lessons. My partner had to get a tutor for his A levels ON TOP OF school fees.
2) The pastoral/anti bullying policies- go and get a 'feel' for the school.
3) How long they've been going ... you don't want your school to be a flash-in-the-pan that goes bust a week before exams!
4) How they are monitored- good independent schools volunteer for HMI/OFSTED, because they have nothing to hide. You are paying for small classes and great equipment; expect it to be proven.

Also, look into 'nice' state schools. I was moved from a chavvy comp to a lovely (religious) comp at the age of 13. My GCSEs and A levels were actually better than my partner's; single-sex and religious-based schools tend to be better pastorally. You might find somewhere you save the money and feel safe sending your kid to.

Answer 3

Shes only been at secondary school for a while, I'm sure she'd adjust. She'd probably love it (unless she will still come into contact with children from the previous school when she may find their jealously/lack of understanding could have repercussions).
The main problem would be the money, it wont be cheap and they'll be lots of hidden 'extras' like trips and music lessons.
There are some (but not all) listed on
http://www.isc.co.uk/
found via the BBC education pages

Answer 4

For the benefit of our American cousins Public school in the UK is actually the private ones where you pay.I think it would be difficult for a child of 12yrs to adjust and we all know children can be cruel to others who in anyway different

Answer 5

Public school and main stream school are one in the same.
If you are considering private school then it will cost you. Your
daughter will still have to pass the same bench marks as in public school and she will still have to pass the exiting exam
in order to graduate. You can always move her to another
public school. Just contact the school's superintendent and
ask permission to enroll your daughter out of district. As long as your daughter is not a problem student and you can assure transportation to and from school it shouldn't be a problem.

Answer 6

Hi I haven't moved my kids from one school to another. But if I were in your position I would do the same. You have got to protect your daughter.