CHANGING SCHOOLS: WHEN TO START LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS

By Mignonne Gerli, Principal: Abbotts College Pretoria-East • September 22, 2023

Much like starting a job and staying with the company until retirement age is a thing of the past, so too is the idea that one must attend only one primary school and one high school during the entirety of one’s schooling journey, no matter what.

Yes, it is the ideal and stability and the ability to form and build lasting friendships during one’s schooling journey is important. However, the reality is that the need for some children to change schools during their primary school and high school years is becoming more and more common place.

Parents change schools for a myriad of reasons, including:

Emigration and semigration,
Convenience (closer to parent’s new job or on a transport route),
Quality of education,
Class sizes,
School environment (sense of safety, issues of bullying) and
A child’s request for a change.

What is important to note is that changing schools is a big decision and one not to be taken lightly. It is important that parents carefully consider and evaluate reasons for wanting to change schools before doing so.

Reasons that are unwise and often lead to disappointment and ANOTHER move include:

Blaming the teacher if your child performed poorly in an assessment,
Not getting your way when wanting to change your child’s teacher or class,
A disagreement with your child’s teacher,
The school not offering the subject choices in a way that your child prefers,
Your child not getting into the first team of his or her sporting discipline and
Your child being “in the wrong crowd”.

In such cases, rational communication is key. A useful tip is to focus on facts and try to eliminate emotions from the equation. Where applicable, meet with your child’s teacher to discuss your concerns and receive feedback from the teacher. See the teacher as your partner and know that he/she wants your child to succeed.

Consider your reasons for wanting to change classes. Is it because your child wants to be in a friend’s class? Is it because this teacher seems strict and places high academic demands on students? Is it because you feel the teacher is useless and a different teacher will teach your child better? Once again, meet with the teacher to discuss your child’s progress. If you are still concerned about the standard of teaching, discuss this with the person’s line manager. Most good schools will investigate allegations of poor teaching practice and will be able to provide parents with feedback and, where need be, take steps if the allegations prove to be true.

When it comes to subject choices, these are carefully considered by high schools, bearing in mind what is required for tertiary studies for the various faculties and courses. Even at tertiary level, students will have to take subjects they do not necessarily want to, and they will not get to mix and match as they like.

Moving a child because you are concerned about their friendship choices is also not a good idea. Likeminded people seek each other out and your child will find the same “crowd” within minutes of starting at a new school.

There are however good and valid reasons for wanting to change schools, including:

The school not dealing with issues of bullying and turning a blind eye to discipline issues,
Your child feeling unsafe at school,
Unapproachable teachers,
Little to no communication regarding your child’s poor performance in assessments, including the surprise factor when reports are issued,
Non-alignment with the school’s values and policies and
Lack of academic focus.

If you realise a school is not the right fit for your child and family, it is best to make the change to a new school as soon as possible. At Abbotts College, we enrol students all year round. Support your child to catch up on work they did not cover at the previous school.

When finding a new school for your child, you must ensure you do your homework. Visit prospective schools' websites, arrange a tour of the schools you are interested in and arrive armed with questions to ensure that you make the right choice and that there will be no need for another move.

And finally, do not remove your child from their current school until they have been accepted at another school. You do not want to be in a position where you cannot secure a space for your child at a school.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should parents consider changing their child's school?
Parents should consider changing schools for valid reasons such as emigration, quality of education concerns, unsafe school environments, bullying issues not being addressed, or significant alignment problems with school values. The decision should be carefully evaluated and not made impulsively over minor disagreements.

What are poor reasons for changing schools that parents should avoid?
Poor reasons include blaming teachers for assessment results, disagreements with individual teachers, not getting preferred subject combinations, children not making sports teams, or concerns about friend groups. These issues often resolve through communication and may lead to disappointment at new schools.

How can parents address concerns before deciding to change schools?
Parents should communicate rationally with teachers and school management, focusing on facts rather than emotions. Meet with teachers as partners, discuss progress concerns, and escalate to line managers if necessary. Most good schools will investigate legitimate concerns and provide feedback.

What are valid reasons that justify changing schools immediately?
Valid reasons include schools ignoring bullying, children feeling unsafe, unapproachable teachers, lack of communication about poor performance, misalignment with school values, and insufficient academic focus. When these issues persist, changing schools quickly benefits the child's wellbeing and education.

How should parents research and choose a new school for their child?
Parents should visit prospective schools websites, arrange campus tours, and prepare relevant questions. Thorough research ensures the right fit and prevents another school change. Consider factors like academic standards, safety measures, communication policies, and alignment with family values.

Can students change schools during the academic year?
Yes, many schools like Abbotts College accept students year-round. However, parents should ensure their child is accepted at the new school before leaving their current one. Support may be needed to help students catch up on curriculum differences between schools. For more information visit our open days to find out more.

Why is school stability important for children's development?
School stability allows children to form lasting friendships and develop consistent learning relationships. While changing schools is sometimes necessary, maintaining stability when possible provides emotional security and academic continuity that supports healthy childhood development and educational progress.

What should parents avoid when considering a school change due to friendship concerns?
Parents shouldn't change schools solely because of their child's friendship choices. Like-minded individuals naturally find each other, so children typically gravitate toward similar peer groups at any school. Instead, focus on teaching good judgment and communication skills to help children navigate social relationships.

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PERSONALISED LEARNING: HELPING TEENS THRIVE AUTHENTICALLY

By Ivan Horn, Principal: Abbotts High School Rondebosc • June 12, 2025

Every young person has a unique story, but in the wrong school, that story might never be realised and celebrated. The right school, however, ensures that each story is heard and every student lives up to their full potential. Enter personalised learning: Environments where young people are seen, supported and encouraged to explore who they are and want to be in the world. When parents and students walk into a school which prides itself on being student-centered, they immediately feel this difference. In my 30 years in education, I’ve been continually inspired by what young people can achieve when given the right tools, space, and support. Success is about so much more than academic results, it also includes emotional and social growth. When students are free to express themselves, they experience deeper learning, and greater personal well-being and self-confidence. This freedom builds communication skills, sparks creativity, and fosters critical thinking, developing them into confident and capable young adults. TAILORING EDUCATION TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS When schools shift to personalised learning, something transformative happens: Students stop feeling like just another face in the crowd and instead, they become active participants in their education. With tools like MAP assessments, teachers gain valuable insights into where a student excels and where they need support. This data informs learning plans tailored to each student’s pace and style. Some students benefit from short videos or visual aids, while others prefer hands-on tasks or one-on-one support. Platforms like Khan Academy and adaptive learning apps help teachers meet these diverse needs with precision. This model creates a more dynamic learning environment, where a struggling student can revisit a topic until it makes sense. Advanced learners are able to move on to more challenging material without waiting. Each student progresses at their own pace, in a way that works for them. BEYOND ACADEMICS The benefits of personalised learning go well beyond the classroom. Students build emotional resilience when their needs are recognised and met. Social development naturally follows as they take ownership of their learning and grow in confidence. Personalised learning doesn’t demand perfection, but invites growth. Schools become places of discovery, where students study not only the curriculum, but also discover who they are and what they’re capable of. If you are wondering whether high schools can change lives by embracing individuality, just watch a student light up when talking about a subject they love. Look at the learners who feel safe enough to speak up, take risks, and aim higher. UNLOCKING TRUE POTENTIAL When schools see students not as numbers, but as individuals with dreams and potential, education becomes truly impactful. Personalised learning is not a trend, it is a return to what learning should be: human, responsive, and empowering. As educators, parents, and communities, we must create environments where every student feels valued and every voice matters. Because when we embrace students for who they really are, we unlock the door to who they’re meant to become.

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July 1, 2024

In the wake of the mid-year exams, there is much that parents and students can learn from their results, which should be used to consider the way forward, an education expert says. “I was fortunate to have one child who was very diligent as a scholar, starting to study way ahead of the exams, even from the lower grades, using her midterm break to study year after year. She never had to be asked to go and study and her study breaks were actual breaks from studying,” says Mignonne Gerli, Principal: Abbotts College Pretoria East. “This was not true for all my children. Another of my children thought that studying the day before the exam would do just fine. I remember always catching this child on a study break or as she had just finished studying. I can confidently say that I never, in five years, caught her studying. You can imagine the fights and stress (felt by me) during this time.” As parents, we know how important it is to achieve good results at school. Prior to Grade 11 and 12, students already need to have developed a mature and diligent work ethic. “We know which doors can be opened and which firmly shut, based on your school results,” says Gerli. “For this reason, we fight the good fight which means that exam periods can be extremely stressful and highly unpleasant in many households. We try various methods to cajole our less than diligent children to put effort into their studies and in some cases loathe the day that the reports are published.” Whether exam time is a breeze for you as a parent, with your model child, or absolute hell, with your sweet/funny/kind but less committed child, the end of the exams and results need to be reflected upon. And for those who suffered through the past exams, it is time to come up with different strategies for the next set of exams. “Reflection for those who appear to prepare well for exams, will take the form of considering whether their study methods were effective or if they need help with the way in which they study.” “During these exams, I watched my one granddaughter study. “Not once did I catch her on a break on the days she was with us. What I also noticed was that she studies by copying out the textbook, not something that can be remedied when she is shoulder deep into the exams. This is not an effective way to study and she will definitely need to be taught better study methods in preparation for her next exams.” What have you as a parent noticed about your child’s study methods? Can you assist or will you need a professional to help with better study methods? “Students who achieved excellent results for their exams can reflect on why they did so well and how they can build on this going forward. “The students who put little to no effort into their preparation for the exams, will need guidance and assistance from their parents to try remedy their approach to their work. There needs to be an open, calm discussion about why they did not study for the exams and what would motivate them to study and put effort into their preparation for their next exam session.” Approaches could include: Negative consequences for poor effort, such as having their phones taken away for a period of time, grounding them or taking away certain privileges. Offering a reward for effort, this may be in the form of a cash incentive for improved results or achieving a certain mark per subject, it could be purchasing them something they would like, it could be additional privileges. Reasoning with them, explaining the importance of developing a mature work ethic and achieving good results. This is something teenagers struggle to fully comprehend so some true-life examples of success and failure of family members and friends, when it comes to financial and career success, may be useful here. Go through university courses they may be interested in with them and show them what is required to qualify for the courses. I have found that many teenagers have no idea what is required to gain access to a career they wish to pursue. A reality check is sometimes all they need. Help them think about their future and what they want to achieve in life. It needs to be concrete as having a goal is a great motivator for hard work. Usually, it is the students who have no real vision for their future and what they would like to achieve who struggle to motivate themselves to study. They simply don’t get why it’s important and of value. “Exam time can be very stressful, but taking some time to consider how to make the next exam session less so, and working towards establishing a positive trajectory, can make all the difference for the future,” says Gerli.

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