From what I have heard from my daughter, bullying is zero tollerance - even a hint of it is stamped out and it's not just in school.

My daughter went to 3, week long summer camps this year, during the 3rd one there was an incident, where a kid was blamed for doing something he didn't do and was being told to 'fess up over and over - he didn't 'fess up 'cause he didin't do it. The actual culprits were found - the ones doing the blaming. Their parents were called and the 5 boys involved were removed from camp that evening.

Aside from bullying, one thing I REALLY like about schools here is the fact that teachers a so approachable, not just for the parents, but for the kids too. The kids in my daughters last and only year in Elementary school dubbed their Principal 'Mr Lovebug' because he just loved all the kids. Now she is in Middle School and won't think twice about e-mailing a teacher if she has a homework query.

From a parents point of view it is really nice knowing I could go into school and speak to a teacher or assistant or even just to look around and see how a lesson is performed - something I haven't done as that is too alien a though for me to do - and I'd have to see all those terrifying kids

Most British kids seem to get put a year up, as they are more advanced in the younger years in the UK (It levels out later on at University). That was the case with my Kids, and neither they (nor I for that matter) are anything special academically.

My kids Loved school in Canada, where as they hated it in the UK.

We don't seem to get all the complaints and whining that you get in the UK from the Students or the Teachers.

I think the system seems to be a bit more "Relaxed" here than in the UK, the Kids here are treated almost as if they were human.

If you think the children need to be put up a grade or if they have exceptional abilities in an area - bring over a portfolio of their work. I was talking to a teacher at the weekend and a new Brit had done just that It was a win win situation as the teacher had the proof the girl was at the ability the parent was stating

I don't know why you feel they might be behind or "put back a year" when coming from a UK education. School tends to start a year later here, so if they have just finished year 6 (for example) they will come here and find that kids their age will just be starting 6th grade.

On the whole, although some UK folks tend to feel their kids are being "kept back" if they were doing very well in Blighty, they are likely to find that they are familiar with some bits and new to others.

So, while some here have posted that their kids are advanced compare to their class, ours fitted well with his peers, and we were happy for him that he didn't have to deal with a hard, demanding level of schoolwork as well as coping with all the stuff that moving to a new country, new culture, (new school even!) brought.

I wouldn't mind if mine were kept back a year for my son it would be useful as he currently has 'special needs' for keeping focus on work. Unfortunatly he is Susceptible to others telling him to do things ..... so nice to know out there they deal with those individuals causing trouble. Over at his school its a question of ignorance is bliss sometimes as all they can do is shout at a kid and tell them to stop. if the child is abusive or ignores them then the teacher can't even touch their shoulder without being in trouble so discipline can go out of the window.

My daughter might suffer in someways as she is not slow in class but having said that being kept back gives them an extra year I guess getting used to what is different out there not just spellings but socially aspects too!

All we got to decide is where to live !

We decided that it was better for my daughter to be put with her age group rather than trying to get her to finish school a year early - she started Canadian schools in grade 5 and found most aspects easy but there were things like 'Miss what is a period?......Oh you mean a full stop!'

And the spellings and learning cursive writing and ice skating lessons and rollerblading lessons, as well as just learning school processes etc.

I would bring a protfolio of your kids work - we did the same for our daughter and the teachers were pleased to see what sort of work they could expect from her.

If you feel your kids are exceptionally bright then they may be given a test to see where they should be put - for me being a kid is stressfull enough.

wow, what a brilliant reaction.
As a parent you always want to do right by your kids, i now know moving to Canada will not only be a positive experience (hopefully) for us but also for our children.
Thank you.
By the way rang the school today to complain to the headmistress, i cant believe they are going to take action against the child and hopefully remove him from the school permanently. About time.

What a great thread.
We are not far enough along to think seriously about these issues but this info has put to rest a lot of concerns that would have surfaced in time.

Thanks again guys

Tom

The only bad part of being put ahead a year from my daughters view point, was that she started University when she was 17.5, and could not join her friends in the Bar

For those of you already in Canada do you think the children there are generally more respectful and better behaved than in the UK? My son has just started at a local comprehensive school and I must admit one month in I am surprised at some of the appalling behaviour and lack of respect that I have witnessed and heard about in such a short space of time. He is not happy about moving to Canada although personally I think we may be doing him a favour as academically he's way ahead. My concern is that some of the influences around him may affect this.

From the youngsters I have met from grade 5 upto just left school age (18 I think), they have ALL without exception been polite and well mannered. Of course you will get bad apples and there are the ones that you don't really want your kids associating with (we have only had one of these and she was still polite and respectfull - until she wanted my daughter to get money out of my purse)

When a mob (7/8 teens) decided to go ice skating at the same time as my daughter and I were attempting to stay upright one of them said be careful we don't go near the beginners - or something to that effect. They certainley didn't think it would be fun to intimidate us and stare at us until we left the ice.......As would happen in the country I left!

I find the older kids ie young to mid teens and beyond a lot more respectful. They actually want to talk to you and don't look at you as though you are a bit of poo on their shoes. They also have things to say - opinions - which they are happy to express without worrying what people will think or whether they will be shouted down. They can hold their own.

I find the younger kids a bit of a nightmare at times to be honest. They don't do the whole discipline thing here very much at all - emphasis (as said above) is on empathy and understanding other points of view. The teachers do not insist on hands-up before speaking (so there is often a lot of talking going on whilst others are speaking), a lot of "no's" and "why's" when you ask them to do something. There are exceptions of course, but generally, as an English helper, I tend to be a lot more regimented in the classroom ie stop fidgiting, be quiet, line up, take turns etc. This is starting to change as we enter grade 3. They now have to line up before they enter and leave a classroom, hands up to speak etc etc.

The trade off is that the younger kids are not little robots - they all have a point of view that they like to express (often loudly and at the same time ) and often appear to see themselves on an equal footing with the grown ups. These attitudes obviously then serve them well as they develop into teenagers and beyond.

In fact I find the younger kids here act a lot more like English teenagers than the the teenagers do - who tend to act very adultly!!

I can only speak from experience of when we used to live in Surrey, UK. My Son and his friends (11yrs old) were all well behaved and very respectful towards me and other people when we went out.
Now we are here in Canada him and his new friends behave in the same way and there is not much difference to be honest.

Kids are kids, as strange as this may sound, I hope that he isn't kept in blanket of cotton wool and does get involved in a few scraps as it's all part of growing up.
I am not suggesting that he becomes a bully or starts any fights, but I am saying that if he gets thumped I wouldn't care if he fought back to defend himself and I certainly wouldn't punish him for it.

Evening all,

I read this post with interest. My son last year was spat at and kicked in what he calls the "family jewels" by a lad in his class in th UK. The school was brilliant the way they handled it and my son never had any more bother from this boy.

Part of me wish that he has stood up for himself and part of me was glad that he didn't hit someone else.

He is in school in Canada now and loves it there.

Have another story to tell about his "incident" there but that is for another day

I fully understand the worries of parents and the frustration when schools tippy toe around some of these bullies.

Anyway my 2 cents

Alro

So sorry to hear of this incident, how off putting for your son, i hope you/he is able to feel comfortable in whatever decision/path you take.

Gaynor, i had a little tear in my eye for your daughter, thats a fantastic turn round of a scary situation, long may it continue!

The headteacher of the new school my 2 boys will be going to ( we had a visit in June) has said that they will be looked at as individuals and will put them in the appropriate grade according to their abilities and personalities.

Best wishes
Tina