ExBritFL

We're in Florida and have been for about 9 years. (Had a 6 month stint in U.K. Around 5 years ago).
I'm a UKC and DH is USC. Our daughter is 4 and has her UK and US passport.
I'm pretty nervous about the education system here in Florida and the future for my daughter, so I'm seriously thinking about a move back to the U.K. - -although not sure where exactly!
My DH is an attorney and he is nervous about the work prospects over in the U.K. At this stage in his career, he'd have to spend approx $10k on being able to practice British law and then, with no guarantee of work of course. That being said, his employer over here is downsizing so he'll probably be looking for other options anyway - the joys of working in an "at will state!"
I'm getting pretty down about the situation - on one hand,I love our house, beaches etc but on the other I think about daughters future and our future too.
Also the culture, food, seasons, all seem so attractive in comparison to the stifling heat, having to drive everywhere and the usual "cons" of living in the Sunshine State!
Sorry for the long post, but I figured this would be the best place to post! Thanks for reading

Pulaski

As your husband is a lawyer, could you afford a private school for your daughter?

ExBritFL

Yes and no..
However, to be fair, we are right near a 10 graded public school (and one which is highly recommended by friends and neighbors) so no real need. They also have a fabulous program for "gifted" pupils FWIW
The comparisons of curriculums and the kids being a year behind potentially is more of a concern though as far as the education goes as is the cost of future university and college education.

Anenglishrose

Hi,

I saw your post and just had to reply. I left Florida with my husband and daughters last year. We all are UKC except our youngest daughter who is dual with USC aswell. We left as I to thought that my children would be better off with a British education. In America my eldest was in the gifted programme and thrieveing but I was still hankering for her to have the education I had and I thought at the time it was better in the UK. My daughter attended a school in Florida with a Great School rating of 8 in the UK both my children now attend with the youngest just turned four a public school with OFSTED rating it "Outstanding". Is the education any better personally I don't think so. My oldest daughter hasn't even touch on the things that she was learning in her gifted class and is very much ahead of her class peers. My youngest daughter is being taught how to read and write through a programme called "Ruth Miskin Training" not sure if they use this in all schools but thought maybe you could take a look.

I wanted to leave America as I to wanted to have seasons back, country walks and great food with the joys of being able to walk to everything. Wow I was wrong we have not adjusted to the weather well. We have barely visited the beach which is a ten minute drive from us when we used to go to one almost everyday we miss that. The cold seasons seem to last forever and the outdoor life we had is not so much anymore.

Of course there are positive, shopping is cheaper and I do feel more in a festive spirit at Christmas and love the pantomimes.

We are lucky we are moving back to Florida next year and we can't wait!

I know this reply is negative but I wish someone would of told me straight rather than sugar coated everything. If you want to ask me anything please feel free.

christmasoompa

Has she been properly assessed as gifted though? If so, she should be in the Gifted/Talented program in the UK and being taken for extra 1 on 1 work, stretched academically etc. If she's not been assessed, then that will be why, but if the school haven't suggested it themselves (they usually do for anybody that is really high flying academically), then you can ask to have it done.

ExBritFL

Thanks so much for the detailed info - certainly puts a different perspective in my thoughts regarding the education. I had no idea the schools over in the U.K. don't recognize gifted students as they do in some schools here.
On a separate note, if you don't my asking, how easy was it for you both to find work?
Good luck in the move back - where in FL are you relocating back too?

christmasoompa

See my post above, they absolutely do.

HTH.

Anenglishrose

Hello,

Yes she is registered what does that mean for her well she receives harder homework and class work but still in the subjects taught in her class and never has she had any one on one. In America at her gifted school she had already used a Bunsen burner and done several science experiments she will not touch that again till secondary school. Gifted here is not the same. No time dedicated to learning more and really pushing gifted children's boundaries.

Anenglishrose

My husband transferred back over with his company so employment wasn't an issue. I found a job in the property industry very easily it looks good on a CV that I had also been employed in similar line of work in the US.

We are moving to Ponte Vedra north of St Augustine South of Jacksonville.

ExBritFL

that's interesting...

ExBritFL

Thanks for the link, lots of useful info on it I will read it

HKG3

Before the OP leaves the US, would she considers applying for US citizenship just in case things don't work out for the family in the UK?

ExBritFL

Thanks, and yes I totally would do so :-)

HKG3

Another thing the OP may wish to do in the US before coming back to the UK is to open UK bank accounts for your husband and child. HSBC offers this kind of service in the US.

https://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/home/per...banking-center

christmasoompa

Very different from my daughter's experience then, I think you should have a word with your school as it seems they're not doing what would normally be expected. My daughter is given plenty of 1 to 1 time, extension work and very much pushed - she's taking her first GCSE two years early due to the extra work she's been given.

Don't tar all UK education with the same brush, it seems your school can't be bothered frankly, but that's not the case everywhere.