Are you wondering if your child needs more support than their current school can offer?
Deciding whether to move from a mainstream to a remedial school, or back again, can be a big step. This guide helps families decide when it’s the right time, what to look out for, and how to make the change as smooth as possible.
What’s the Difference? (Remedial vs Mainstream in Simple Terms)
Remedial schools
Think of a remedial school as a place where classes are small, teachers pay close attention to each child, and there’s extra help like therapy and specialised support when needed. The focus is on catching up and building skills in a way tailored to your child.
Mainstream schools
These are standard schools that follow the government curriculum (CAPS). Classes are bigger, and children are expected to keep up with the group. While there may be some extra help, it’s usually not as personalised or as frequent as in remedial schools.
What’s Really Different About Each?
Class sizes
- Remedial: Small groups (often 6–12 children), lots of personal attention.
- Mainstream: Larger classes, less one-on-one time.
Teaching style
- Remedial: Step-by-step, builds confidence and fills in learning gaps.
- Mainstream: Same pace for everyone, more independent learning.
Extra help and therapies
- Remedial: Therapy (like occupational or speech) is often built into the school day.
- Mainstream: Therapy is usually outside school and family-organised.
Progress checks
- Remedial: Regular updates and personal goals for each child.
- Mainstream: Progress is checked for the whole class each term.
Signs Your Child May Need a Remedial School
Every child struggles sometimes, but if these challenges have lasted for six months or more (even with tutoring or extra help), it might be time to look at other options.
Look for these signs:
- Still struggling to read or write, despite lots of help.
- Difficulty with numbers or understanding maths basics.
- Trouble paying attention, staying organised, or following more than one instruction at a time.
- Growing anxiety, frustration, or tears before school.
- Meltdowns after school or a sudden dislike for learning.
- Therapy advice recommending a smaller or more personalised setting.
Age-specific signs:
- Grade R–1: Not learning letter sounds, can’t grip a pencil, can’t sit still, struggles to follow the class.
- Grade 2–3: Slow or choppy reading, lots of spelling mistakes, and simple calculations are hard.
- Grade 4 and up: Large gaps in reading/math, overwhelmed by homework, avoids studying.
When Is the Right Time to Move to a Remedial School?
- If you’ve tried extra support in mainstream school, like small group work or tutoring, and your child is still battling.
- When assessments by an educational psychologist, occupational therapist, or speech therapist suggest your child needs more than mainstream can offer.
- If the current school environment is causing constant anxiety or low confidence.
The earlier the better; moving between Grade 1 and 4 often gives the best results.
Sometimes, the best time is at the start of a new term or year for an easier fresh start.
Can My Child Return to a Mainstream School Later?
Yes, absolutely. Many children spend a few years in a remedial school, close their learning gaps, regain confidence, and then move back to mainstream when they’re ready.
How will I know my child is ready?
- They can keep up with reading, maths, and writing for their grade.
- They feel more confident and less anxious.
- They manage most things without as much adult help.
- Teachers notice ongoing improvement over time.
When the signs are there, you can work with both schools to create a step-by-step plan for returning; sometimes this means starting part-time or with specific subjects.
When Is the Best Grade to Make the Move?
Moving to remedial: Earlier grades (1–4) are usually best, but children in higher grades can benefit too, especially if they’ve just started to struggle.
Returning to mainstream: Good times are at the end of Grade 3, start of Grade 5, or when moving to high school (Grade 8). But the timing depends on your child’s unique progress and needs.
A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Schools
- Get an up-to-date assessment – Book a session with a trusted educational psychologist (and/or occupational or speech therapist if needed).
- Talk to your current school – Share assessment results and have an open discussion about what’s working and what isn’t.
- Explore remedial school options – Visit a few schools, ask about their approach, and see where your child feels most comfortable.
- Take a School Tour/Try a trial day – Many remedial schools allow your child to visit. Watch for less stress and more engagement.
- Sort out the paperwork – Collect school reports and therapists’ notes, and fill in admissions forms.
- Plan the move – Let your child know what’s happening and visit the new school together before the first day.
- Check in often – Stay in touch with new teachers and celebrate each small step of progress.
How OMATAS Helps Your Family
OMATAS Learning Centre is all about making transitions less stressful. With small classes and regular check-ins, your child has the chance to gain skills and confidence at their own pace. We also help plan a smooth transition back to mainstream school if and when your child is ready.
Want to talk it through? Contact our team for a chat about what’s best for your child’s journey.
OMATAS Location
OMATAS Learning Centre primarily serves Fairland, Randburg, Northcliff, Cresta, Roodepoort, Weltevreden Park and surrounding areas.