School registration date for an autumn 2014 baby?

[AChanceAtSchool]

Hello all!

Could anyone help me with a question, please? I am new to this and only
have one DC (so far) and haven't even thought about school just yet.

But an opportunity for us to move abroad for a few years has come up, and I'm not sure what impact it would have on our DC. I want to come back to the UK when it's time for school to start, but I don't want to miss out on a place.

Born in October 2014 - what year would they be going to school? Am I right that I have a choice of two different years they could start? And when do we have to be resident again to make the application?

Thank you - I'm sorry to ask, I know I could google but I've been trying and am not sure I fully understand it and you guys will set me straight!

[Afreshstartplease]

Sept 2019 I think?

[AppleMagic]

In theory they can start at just 4 or just 5. So Sept 2018 and Sept 2019. But in practice there is nothing to gaurentee a place in reception in 2019, they may be expected to start in year 1. You can ask to be allowed to defer but no gaurentee. I think the deadline for applications is the 15th Jan before they start so you'd need to be resident then.

[lovealookabout]

Applications for sept this year (2016) closed in January. The address counted was the one resident at on the closing date. Therefore Sept 18 closes Jan 17

[lovealookabout]

October 14 would start school from Sept 19 as he would be 4 then nearly 5. Legally children have to be at school from 5

[GeoffreysGoat]

I'm about to start the process for my autumn 2012 baby. You've got 2 years yet!

[BananaPie]

Definitely September 2019 start (there would be no choice of September 2018). Application process will run from approx October 2018 through to early January 2019. Unless you're in the forces, you'll need to be resident at the address you're applying from by the closing date.

If you end up moving back to the UK after the closing date, you'll have to make a late application, you'll still get a school place, but which school you get will depend on where a place opens up.

[titchy]

September 2019 assuming England or Wales and one of the oldest definitely. Scotland August 2019 and one of the youngest (I think..)

[ReggaeShark]

Jan 19 application deadline for Sept 19 entry. You must be living at address you will apply from.

[AChanceAtSchool]

Thank you all so much. This is really helpful.

Yes we are England. Geoffrey I'm asking early as we need time to up sticks and move country and back within those 2 years you mention!

Is there any benefit to applying early? Does anyone know? Would DC have a better chance at a place if we applied in October 2018, as opposed to January 2019? Or do all the applications get stuck in a box and all looked at together in Jan/Feb 2019?

[BananaPie]

They're all looked at together. No benefit in applying earlier.

[AnnoyedByAlfieBear]

No benefit whatsoever (I've got an October 14 baby too, they're so funny at this age!).

[KP86]

He won't be accepted for 2018 as he won't be four by 31 August which is the cut off date.

So his start date would be Sept 2019, which will be just before fifth birthday.

[AppleMagic]

Sorry, I misread and thought he had an August birthday

Yes Sept 2019 then.

[NynaevesSister]

Just to clarify, Compulsory school age is not when they turn 5 but the term after they turn 5. In England. The law is different in each country in the UK. They just need to be in full time education - this could be state, private or home school. There are no obligations on parents who wish to home school in the UK beyond either de-registering if a child has been at school or turning down a place if offered one.

So the OP doesn't have a choice of two school years to start. Her child needs to be in full time education from the Jan after his 5th birthday in October.

[AChanceAtSchool]

This is all really helpful. Thank you all!

Good news about the cut-off too, as I think we would struggle to make it back before Jan 2019.

annoyed it is indeed a wonderful age. I've been so happy to see the emergence of affection in the last month or so - hugs and kisses - just lovely!

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

Be aware you will need a uk address to apply from by Jan 2019. Will you be keeping your current house or will you need to buy/rent something when you get back.

[TeenAndTween]

It is also mid Jan not end of Jan.
So really you need to be home by Christmas '18.

You get a chance to express your preference of schools (list between 3 and 6 depending on area), but depending where you live you might only have a realistic chance of 1 or 2 schools.

Priorities often go something like

• Medical
• Looked After
• In catchment with siblings
• in catchment
• Out of catchment with siblings
• Out of catchment

with distance being the tie breaker within a category.

Some schools have faith criteria where by you would have to be regularly worshipping (with evidence) for ?6-?24 months beforehand.

[prh47bridge]

Minor correction to TeenAndTween - looked after children (and formerly looked after children) always come first. The children who get in ahead of LACs are children with an EHC plan naming the school.