Application date

[Nesime]

Hi,

I have a 5,5 year old daughter and we are planing to move to London this year. But it seems that we won't be able to come until August and the primary schools start in September. Is it too late for her to register for the first grade for 2014?

Thanks

Nesime

[PenguinsLoveFishFingers]

When you say 'first grade', are you maybe coming from the US?

If your daughter is 5.5 now, how old will she be in September? Our schools admit based on the age on 31 August, so:

• If she was 4 by 31 August, she would be in reception;
• If she is 5 on 31 August (even if she turns 6 on 1 September), she would be in year 1;
• If she is 6 on 31 August, she will go into year 2.

So either way, she'll be going into year 1 or year 2, not the first year of school (reception). That means that the application deadline is comparatively irrelevant. The schools will have been filled according to applications for those who started at the beginning of the school and you will be looking for a local school with a spare space. Of course, the longer you are in the country before you need the place, the greater chance of a place coming up that you qualify for. But the general January deadline, etc isn't that important to you.

You will need to ring your local council, explain your situation and then contact them when you have an address to see what they can offer you.