Everybody means to move in the summer holidays.
It is the plan most families start with. Six clear weeks, no uniforms, no school run, unpack in August and walk into September as though nothing happened.
Then the sale takes longer than expected. Or the right house appears in the second week of term. Or the rental you have been waiting for becomes available in October. Suddenly, you are moving house in the middle of the school year with a maths test on Thursday and PE kit still packed in a box.
The reality is that moving during term time is far more common than the summer-holiday plan suggests. And it can go perfectly well. It just requires a slightly different set of decisions.
Why do so many families end up moving mid-term?
Mostly because property does not run to a school timetable.
Chains move at their own speed. A buyer’s mortgage can take longer than expected. The house you actually want might come onto the market in September rather than May. If you are renting, availability depends on when other tenants give notice, not when half term begins.
Waiting until the following summer is always an option, but it could mean losing the right home. A year is also a long time to stay somewhere you have already decided you want to leave.
For many families, moving house during the school year is simply the timing that makes the most sense.
What should you sort with the school first?
If your children are changing schools, this is the part that benefits most from an early start.
Speak to the local authority for the area you are moving to and find out how its in-year admissions process works. Do this as early as you sensibly can rather than waiting until your move is confirmed.
Do not assume your preferred school will have a place available. A school may have capacity overall but be full in the specific year group your child needs. Ask about that year group and what your options are if there is no space.
Have a genuine second and third choice too. Knowing you have alternatives you would be happy with can make the admissions process much easier to manage.
It is also worth telling your child’s current school about the move early. They can prepare records, share relevant information with the new school and offer a little extra support during your child’s final weeks.
Finally, check the school journey in real conditions. A 12-minute drive at 11am could be considerably longer during the morning school run. Try the route at the time you would actually be travelling before making any decisions.
If your children are staying at the same school, things are simpler. You will still need to update the school with your new address and contact details and make sure the new journey is realistic every day, not just on a quiet weekend.
How do you keep the school run manageable during the move?
The week of the move is usually the pinch point, so plan for it before everything becomes hectic.
If you have flexibility over completion or moving dates, consider how the day of the week affects school and childcare arrangements.
Arrange for one reliable adult to help with the school run if possible. A grandparent, neighbour or another parent from the class can be invaluable when you are dealing with removal vans, keys and boxes.
Pack school uniform, PE kit, book bags and shoes separately and keep them somewhere accessible, preferably with you rather than in the removal van. They are exactly the things you do not want to be hunting for at seven o’clock the following morning.
Tell your child’s teacher when you are moving house, too. It means a forgotten piece of homework or an unusually quiet few days can be understood in context.
What actually helps children most?
Set up their bedroom first.
Before the kitchen, before the television and before the rooms that might seem more important to an adult. Having one space that already feels familiar, with their belongings in the places they expect them to be, can make a new house feel like home much more quickly.
Try to keep routines as consistent as possible. The same bedtime, breakfast, clubs and weekend activities provide familiarity when everything around them is changing.
And allow children to have their own feelings about the move. They might be excited, indifferent or thoroughly unimpressed. They do not need to love every part of the experience immediately. Giving them time to adjust is often more helpful than trying to convince them that everything is exciting.
What about the practical side?
When school logistics are taking up most of your attention, some surprisingly important moving jobs are easy to overlook.
Broadband: Arrange the transfer or installation as early as possible. There may be a wait for an appointment, and homework, work and everyday life quickly become difficult without it.
Post and address changes: Set up redirection and make a proper list of everyone who needs your new address, including your GP, dentist, optician, insurers, school and financial providers.
Clubs and childcare: Check notice periods, availability and waiting lists. If you are moving further away, look at equivalent activities near your new home. Losing familiar clubs or childcare arrangements can be a bigger change for children than parents anticipate.
Renting: If you are a tenant, give notice correctly and in writing, retaining a copy. Make sure inventories and meter readings are completed properly at both properties.
Moving soon and not sure where to start?
Whether you are buying, selling or renting, it can help to talk through the timing before committing to particular dates.
Sometimes moving a fortnight earlier or later can make the whole process considerably easier. It is much simpler to build that flexibility into your plans at the beginning than try to solve problems once the move is underway.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to move house during the school year?
No. Families move throughout the school year, and children can settle well, particularly when familiar routines are maintained. It may require more planning than a summer move, but that does not mean you should miss out on the right home purely because of the school calendar.
How do I get a school place if we move mid-year?
The process for in-year school admissions varies depending on the local authority and school, so check the arrangements for the area you are moving to as early as possible. Find out about availability in the specific year group you need and identify alternative schools you would also be happy with.
Should we wait for the summer holidays to move?
Only if the timing makes sense for your family. Waiting could mean losing the home you want, while a well-planned mid-term move can be perfectly manageable.
What should I unpack first when moving house with children?
Their bedroom is a good place to start. Familiar bedding, toys, books and belongings can give children a reassuring space while the rest of the house is still being unpacked.
What are some of the most forgotten jobs when moving with children?
Broadband, childcare and children’s clubs are easily overlooked. All can involve notice periods, installation times or waiting lists, so it pays to arrange them early.
If you know a family with a move coming up, please share this guide with them.
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