changing schools

[toby99]

Did anyone change schools when younger, say 8 or 9? If so, what affect did it have on you, if any , in terms of leaving your friends, starting over as the new kid? I am particularly interested in any long-term affects - thanks

[Petal~flower]

Hi toby. I did change schools when I was about that age. And honestly, I hated it. I still remember it vividly, starting afresh, making new friends, and I had some kids that would pick on me and make my life a bloody misery.

This stuck through me all my adult life, and I vowed if I had kids I would never change their schools. So when my marriage ended and I moved out of the area, I still continued to drive my children to their schools (a 30 mile a day round trip).

I did take my youngest 2 out of their previous school in 2006 and moved them to a local one, as to be honest, it was tiring, and I was working, and I had been doing this long school run since 1998! And I just could not do it anymore.

I felt very bad about it, but they settled in very well into their new school. Made lots of new friends, and part of me wish I had done it sooner. But I guess my past experience made me scared to.

Sorry for long winded response.

[flip_flop]

Had two primary schools where I didn't know anybody, started my first year at Secondary school without knowing anybody and started the fourth year at secondary school without knowing anybody (my father moved around the country a lot because of his profession).

It did affect me - but only in a good way I think: I'm a pretty gregarious bloke who can pretty much speak to anybody and I have always made friends easily.

[Supernick]

I changed schools at the same time, and moved from Port Glasgow to Bath, so a huge geographical move as well. I can remember a few tears about leaving my friends and not wanting to go to a 'horrible new school', but it has had no ill effects on me at all. To be honest I can barely remember ever being 8 or 9, and kids make friends pretty easily. Can you?
Petal had a hard time, but she could have stayed at her old school and still got bullied.

[HJT40]

Hi Toby,

My daughter changed school between years 8 and 9. She showed me her diary for how she felt for the first week or so and it made me feel bad. She hated it, she sat on her own a lot, but then the entries changed when she made new friends. She has quite a lot now and has become more outgoing than she was at her previous school. But maybe this is how she feels she must be to be accepted by new people?

Although she does still meet up with her old friends she does get a bit upset if she thinks that they are forgetting about her. It is only a few months now, so as for the long term we will have to wait and see.

[HJT40]

Oops sorry, thought it said year 8 or 9! Doh! Must put brain in gear before using!