Education consultant? Local school and application expert?

[caramelgirl]

I am British but currently live abroad. We had assumed we would return next year ready for September 2017 school year.
My son would enter reception and my daughter Y3 at this point.
We knew we would find it hard to find places as these are bulge years it seems. Just realised the local private school we had as our "in case" doesn't look now like a good option. We are now panicking about where we should go so they can have a decent education (UK or otherwise).
I want to know if there is anyone I can talk to about admissions (and applying from abroad but eg with a confirmed rental or owned address) in the specific LEAs we are considering and also point us to schools which might suit. We aren't as bothered about Ofsted (feel that some heads know how to play the game- understandably) as softer stuff and sport.
I see lots of people posting wisely on here but googling "education consultant" brings up those who help with Ofsted prep etc..
Any advice or pointers? Not London, a couple of hours away up north from there.
Thank you for any advice. I appreciate it is a busy time at the moment.

[mrsmortis]

You don't say which LEAs you are considering. But if you own a house in Essex, and intend to be resident there before the school year starts, then you may be allowed to apply from that address.

"If an applicant meeting the above criteria owns a property in Essex but is not living in it,
perhaps because they are working abroad at the time of application but they intend to take up
residency at the Essex home before the start of the autumn term, the application will be
processed using the Essex address. Any offer of a school place will then be conditional upon
receipt of evidence of taking up residency at that property in Essex. "

from: www.essex.gov.uk/Education-Schools/Schools/Admissions/Documents/Determined_admissions_arrangments_Primary.pdf

You'd need to contact them to check of course. But we have applied for DD2 under this clause and have been offered a place for September.

[caramelgirl]

Thanks yes, I would love the LEA I am considering to have an Essex type exemption and it does also seems to have a round of junior school entry. This would make a huge difference for us, but I understand it varies across the country.
I would really like to talk to someone who could then talk with the education authority in generalities around this. I don't want to directly approach the LEA in case it queers our pitch.
Any names or suggestions as to whom I could contact? Googling really didn't seem to find anyone who could help at all.
I'm surprised education consultants only really know about private schools. I guess you play to your market.
We "just" want a nice school (pref state)?we can walk to with a good community and child focused leaning. We had focused all of our searching and visiting schools to get a feel etc. in one area. Now that we feel concerned about the private school fallback we are thinking we may have to change location focus but would find it v v hard to visit. Which was why I was hoping to find someone who could give me a précis.
Any leads gratefully followed.
Thank you

[caramelgirl]

Sorry, I see it is LA, not LEA

[bluecarpet]

Just realised the local private school we had as our "in case" doesn't look now like a good option

why? it's no good? or it's too competitive to get into?
if it's not a good option long term, would it do to sit out reception whilst on the waiting list for state schools you like?

[caramelgirl]

Sorry, just woken up (different time zone here). We are keen to avoid disruption, so want one move and then the children can start making friends and adjusting to their new life. So swapping wouldn't be ideal either. Hmmm.

[caramelgirl]

The private school just looks a bit underwhelming and a bit overly religious. Neither of which came through on paper prospectus, both of which shone out of reports from our parents who visited for us. Our move abroad was decided by my DH's work in a bit of a hurry which is why we didn't have time to gather all of the useful information.