High School

I am hoping someone can shed some insight and give me some direction on bringing my 16 year old over to live with me here in England. Her application was finally approved and I was hoping to bring her out before Christmas. I keep getting negative information about the difficulty we will have in transitioning her into school here. ANY information from a parent who has been through this and can give me any and all advice would be great! Would it be better if she finished out this school year and came to live the summer forward?

Thank you!!!!

-Rose

Hi, I didn't want to read & run..so I'll do my best to help out .

Although my children are in primary school, I have known someone who moved here midterm with her high school aged children.  I think it was hard for them at first, but they soon settled in.  I doubt that moving her at the start of the year would make the transition any easier, tbh. Bring her over!

HTH

Sparklyfairy

It's a bit complicated at that age because she won't have a high school diploma, won't have GCSEs either so what qualification will she have if she wants to enter University?  If it were me, I would seriously look into International schools or IB programmes and forgo A-Levels altogether. 

Coming in half way through the year could also be problematic at this stage because it's not a straight transfer of credit, so to speak.  It's hard enough when they are changing schools in the same system but changing countries, is a whole other issue.   

I have two kids in high school (college) here (ages 15 and 18).  We moved over when they were 10 & 13. 

Much will depend on the school that your daughter gets into here.  I have an American friend here who brought her 2 daughters over here when they were 15 and 16.  The school here looked at their US school transcripts and decided they were both bright enough and allowed them both to skip the GCSE exams and go right into A levels.  They found it difficult at times as they were not used to essay based exams but there were things they felt they were a bit ahead on.  Both girls went to university here and are now living and working in London.

I would suggest that you go and talk to the school here and see what they recommend. 
Is your daughter currently in 10th or 11th grade?  This could make a difference as well.  If she is 10th grade then she would be coming into Year 11 here and this is the year group that sits the GCSE exams in the summer.  As it is a 2 year programme it might be best if she finished out the school year in the US.  If she is currently 11th grade and the school here will accept her into their A level programme then it is best she come over sooner rather than later.  She will have a lot of work to make up, there are big exams in June.

If you are able to I would seriously look into international schools or the IB programmes as MrsPink has already suggested.  Unfortunately IB programmes is generally only found at private schools and tuition is expensive but it is only two years and it is your daughters education so if you can afford it do it

If you are able to I would seriously look into international schools or the IB programmes as MrsPink has already suggested.  Unfortunately IB programmes is generally only found at private schools and tuition is expensive but it is only two years and it is your daughters education so if you can afford it do it

IB programmes are becoming more widely available.  We have two 'public' schools in our area that offer IB. 

16 is a tough age, because 16 y/o here are halfway through their 2 year GCSE exams. The grades are based largely on coursework so would be very difficult for them to catch up.

I second the suggestion of speaking to the Head of the local senior school and see what they recommend. Going straight into A levels may be an excellent option.

One problem without having a High School Diploma or GCSE's would be if she decides to go to Uni in the  US.  It would be best to check the entrance requirements for all options - if she thinks she even might go to University and base your decision on that. 

I know that for my kids who are planning to go to Uni in Canada, that GCSEs DO matter for entrance. 

As well, in the UK, for med school, GCSEs do matter. 

Have you checked the local schols for availability/cut off dates? The popular/best schools get filled up very quickly so you may want to get her name down on a waiting list sooner rather than later.

Would it be possible for your daughter to take the tests and get her GED/HSED before she leaves the U.S.?  This would give her at least one official qualification, and might help her get a place in a higher school, or start university (either in the UK or later on in the US).