Some schools I guess are at different levels ( the whole my school website thing etc ) I'm sure that with a tutor and even just a few more weeks to settle in and get up to speed and he will be fine

I get what you mean about the oldest, you can always just the younger children , based on an older sibling but often the oldest just goes with the flow ( I am the oldest too )

in the mean time to make me feel better I'd probably email his old school to tell them how disappointed you are.....