Jump to content

Recommended Posts

My sister and her Canadian husband have been living in Vancouver for the last 14 years and they have now decided to return to the uk. They used to live in Fulham but having visited us most Christmases in recent years they really want to move to East Dulwich.

They have 2 daughters of 15 and 13. They are concerned about their eldest and her transition from the Canadian to Uk education systems.

Is the coursework that she has done in Grade 9/10 (uk 10/11) sufficient to have her enter year 12. Will some assessment of her work and grades be required for comparison?

Is the fact her birthday is in November a problem?

If she was required to enter in Year 11 would she be able to take some GCSE's despite missing uk year 10 coursework?

Would the IB system be better for her?


My sister really doesn't want her daughter to have to repeat 2 years and be in the same class as her younger sister.


They are actively house hunting but want to start applying for schools ASAP. Will not having an address cause problems and is catchment area still such a big deal for entry further up the school?


If anyone has any information we would be really grateful.

Hiya


I believe you cannot apply for schools until youve got an address I'm afraid. This is based on friends who moved to Cambridge - they couldn't put the forms in until they exchanged on the house which ended up being in the Easter holidays - 1 child missed out on a place as a result & both missed the first 2 weeks of the new term.


So ridiculous but I guess they have to control applications somehow.

Hmmmm, tricky.


I know that at the Canadian end they have a placement referral for international students, so assume there must be something similar at that end? I have no idea how one would find it (good old google?) I think generally they place children by age. I've taught children from just about everywhere, and even if they are from very different cultures (and languages) tend to be placed by age.


That said, children start the English system a year earlier (in most cases, however my son would have started the same time either place based on his birthday), but it seems that most children are five or close to when starting. Where I now live (in Canada) the birthday cut off is March 1st, so a November baby would be among the youngest in the class. A number of the younger children seem to get held back a year (by their parents) so they are approaching six when they start rather than go too early. Your friend's children might have started a year later than children in London. My gut would be to start the older one at year eleven and give her some time to adjust before the intensity of year twelve.


On the other hand (sorry), I'm not massively sold on the idea of holding back a year because I think there is a lot to be gained from being with peers who are developmentally at the same age (if that makes sense?) I don't think that's as big an issue at 15/16 as it might be around 12-14 though. I would keep the 13 year old at her age if possible.


I wouldn't worry too much about differences in curriculum. I think she would have to be in the IB system in Vancouver already to be eligible in the UK, but yes that would be helpful. Sorry, I never did understand how GCSE's work.


Those are all just my thoughts, it might be helpful to look online for an expat forum where there's likely to be someone who has done it. Hope there's at least something helpful in my babbles.

By age the oldest is year 11

I don't know if there is much scope to enter 6th form a year early (ESP not having coveted secondary elsewhere which it doesn't sound like she has)

In all honesty, I would wait A year if I where them, no doubt about it.. Then apply directly to 6th forms.


However if she do enter at y11, hey will need an address hen contact schools directly to see if there is space


Pupils do enter school or transfer at the start of y11... probably sitting just a few subjects.


I think their best be is to speak now I some 6th forms to ask about the age, and what entry qualifications woul be required.


Some places will do a 3 year course, with pupils who didn't get good enough has for entry to a level repeating in he first year ... That sort of thing might suit

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Back on topic (!),  just a reminder that the new incarnation of the ED Forum drinks will be in The Palmerston TOMORROW Wednesday 11 June from 7pm. Turn immediately left as you come in by the main  Lordship Lane entrance, and we will be in the area there. Hope that at least a few of you will be up for getting to know some of your fellow forum members in real life!
    • For the past 15 years, I’ve been subjected to persistent passive-aggressive bullying and harassment by my upstairs neighbours. Their behaviour has included tampering with my plants, opening bin bags and questioning me about their contents, and interfering with misdelivered post — some of which appeared to have been opened. There has also been consistent noise disruption, like loud door banging and deliberately dropping heavy objects. They often laugh or stare at me when I’m in the garden, creating a constant sense of intimidation. Much of their conduct is subtle and hard to prove, often falling into a grey area that could easily be dismissed as paranoia, which makes it even more distressing. In the early years, I sometimes responded, but I realised this only seemed to encourage them. Since then, I’ve tried to remain calm and avoid confrontation — but unfortunately, this seems to have escalated things. After the recent death of a close family member, they left a condolence note, which at first seemed kind — but it came with a request to cut back my laurel bush, which I maintain for privacy, as I often feel watched in my own garden. The timing and nature of the request felt inappropriate. Still, I arranged for a gardening service and slightly reduced the laurel, though likely not as much as they wanted. Shortly after, one neighbour commented on how lovely one of my potted plants looked — which struck me as unusual, since we’ve barely spoken in years. Just days later, they told me the same plant looked like it was dying and asked if they should water it. Soon after, it rapidly turned yellow, brittle, and died — in a way that looked clearly unnatural. From photos, it appears the plant was poisoned, likely with a chemical weed killer. Access to that area is restricted — it’s behind a locked front gate monitored by a Smart CCTV camera. No one else had access, and it would be very difficult for someone to climb over the wall unnoticed. Given the timing and condition of the plant, I strongly suspect it was deliberately poisoned. I brought this up in a chat with my next-door neighbours, and they revealed they’d lost three trees along the same fence line over the past few months. One of them had previously been asked for access to cut back those very trees. One of the affected trees was a mature silver birch, whose sudden death should leave chemical evidence if tested. I’ve reported the incident to the Environment Agency and requested soil testing to check for toxins. The police have also been notified. I’ve installed another CCTV camera for additional monitoring. I’m not looking for confrontation — I just want to live peacefully and without further interference. But their behaviour continues to feel calculated and harassing. Has anyone experienced anything similar? What steps would you recommend next? I feel at a loss as to how to protect my space and sanity.
    • The Post Offcie certify copy documents. Check with whoever needs it if they would be appropriate 
    • https://williambaileysolicitors.co.uk/ William Bailey is a well-established local solicitors firm based in Goose Green I've used them in the past with no complaints
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...