7 year itch

Moving back for partner's work. Feeling a combination of excitement & nerves to be returning. Biggest concern is for 5 yr old son who's been used to relaxed village school for last 6 mths and is about to be thrust into hothousing-English school system where children start at 4yr. How best to support a boy who's not into learning to read or write, but more into outside life on the beach, climbing frames and building boats with hot glue...? We will be living, albeit in lovely SW london home with grandparents, but he now has to contend with uniforms, spelling tests, learning about Tudors and most likely will be one of the oldest in his class and yet the least able in terms of academic ability.

JustBecause

It would be good to look into Montessori or Steiner schools as they are more "child-led" at this age, altho both can be prescriptive in some aspects - it depends very much on each individual establishmnent as to how they are run. There are some other alternative style schools around if you search for them.

Or perhaps flexi-schooling could be an option. I think in the UK you are entitled to ask a school to be able to take your child out of school for a certain amount of time each time provided it is for worthwhile reasons, not necessarily conventionally educational, but not just staying in watching telly. The schools don't have to agree to it tho. And there is always home-schooling, for the brave I think!

quoll

What a shame you will have to live in London and not be able to find a fabulous little village school where he will probably love learning about knights and castles, growing vegies in the school garden and watching tadpoles grow into frogs or collecting autumn leaves and watching worms turn them into mulch. Maybe once he gets interested in books his imagination will blossom and you will see him engaged in a whole lot of other activities.

He'll be fine! He'll probably star at soccer and have friends by the gazillion!

Mummy in the foothills

Have you been watching Ruby and Max on TV
If you find a small and friendly school he'll probably grow to love learning, most kids do. I know my oldest wasn't big on learning he was very active and hands on, he was in preschool twice a week in California, then when we moved to UK he went into reception at a village school and took off like a rocket and loved it. it's not so much that they are learning early, it's the way they are being taught and by who.
If you are down on the uniforms, the school the learning, he will pick up on it and join you, if you are excited for him he will be too.

7 year itch

Hey BIG thanks to the comments & reminding me to shift thinking to one that's helpful!!!

JustBecause

(OT) What is this "soccer" you speak of???

Beedubya

Kicking a round ball, not running and holding an oval one.

DDL

Your son is in for loads of fabulous experiences in/around London. The Natural History Museum and the Museum of London do some awesome stuff for kids, as does the National Trust and many, many others.

My friend Laura Porter is a mum and she writes the London section of About.com She has some brilliant suggestions of things to do in London with children, and all of them she has personally experienced herself.

You/he will be spoilt for choice! What an adventure! Best wishes to you.