Moving back to the UK and in-year application advice

[movingbackinthesummer]

Hi there,

We currently live abroad and are moving back to the UK in July. Our elder daughter is five, and has missed reception - school doesn't start here until kids are six.

I've two questions - the first is about in-year applications. We'll be back in London around the start of July, so could potentially do an in-year application then, so she could do the last few weeks of reception in the UK. Or we could apply later, for a year one place in September. I'd love to know if anyone has any knowledge about if we'll be more likely to get a place we'd like in the summer term, or are better off waiting until September. I realise it all depends on the schools etc, but any advice on this would be very appreciated - including on if it'd be better for her to have a few weeks pre summer holiday, or just wait.

The second is about reception itself! What can kids normally do by the end of the year? She's not really learning anything academic at her nursery, which is lovely in a way, but I don't want her to feel very behind when she starts in an English school.

Thanks so much if anyone has any advice.

[catslife]

It can take your council a few weeks to process your application, so I don't think that if you apply in early July, it is very likely that your child would start before the end of the school year. Having said that applying then would mean that your child should have a school place lined up by September.

[AveEldon]

I agree that you are best to apply as soon as you are able
You can accept a place in one school and ask to be placed on the waiting list for others if they don't currently have space
There will usually be some movement over the summer

[readingrainbow]

Apply as soon as you get back into the country - they are very slow. We've done a few in-year applications and even when the school confirmed to me they had the space, the council took WEEKS to process the application. Ugh.

I wouldn't worry about your dd being behind from not having attended reception. I have 2 dc who didn't go to reception and they are completely fine.

[movingbackinthesummer]

Thanks all - really appreciate it. We'll get cracking then as soon as we're in the UK!

[ICantFindAFreeNickName2]

You can actually apply before you are in the UK, although I think you might need a UK address that you re moving to. I think you could apply end of May for a place in early July. . I'm not sure about all lea's but in our the schools handle all in year admisssions, and we have to respond to an application within 5 working days.
Starting before the summer holidays, may give you and your child a chance to make some new friends to meet up with over the summer, but that maybe more useful for an older child. However schools can get a bit chaotic towards the end of term what with all the special activities, so it maybe easier for a child to start in Sep when it's all very structured.