Moving to UK and looking for schools in Blackheath/Greenwich area

[LLS1]

Hi Everyone!

I am new here but I have been reading along for a bit. I just registered and this is my first post. I hope you guys can help me with some advice.

We will be moving to the UK in July 2018 and we are looking for schools for our kids. One year 6 place for our girl and one year 9 place for our boy. We have registered the kids with all the independent schools we could find in the area, but since they are very selective and there aren't a lot of places for the number of applicants, we need to register with other schools for backup options in case we don't get a place for our children! The problem is that we don't have an address to register ourselves with, so how do we get ourselves registered with the local state schools?
Also, I understand there is quite a difference between the state schools. Which ones are good (primary and secondary) education wise and with kind children in the Blackheath/Greenwich area and which ones would you recommend?
Thanks for any help you can offer!!

[LIZS]

You can't register with the Local Authority/Borough for state schools until you have an address from which to apply.

[LLS1]

Thanks lisz,

That was my understanding too. Its really hard because we are moving in July 2018 and we will need a place in September. Of course all the good state schools will be full by that time!

[LIZS]

They will be full already as these are not standard ages to apply for state schools. The main entry points are for Reception (age 4), in some areas year 3 if infant/junior schools are separate, and year 7(age 11) then 6th form or college at 16. Anything in between is an In Year Admission where you are allocated a vacancy. The positive is that whatever school place your younger child is allocated will only be for that year as in October you would apply for a secondary place alongside every one else.

[bothearly]

We're in SW London but around here pretty much all the outstanding state primary schools have spaces in Year 6 so I wouldn't worry about your youngest child. I suspect you will find a place easily in a good school even in July.

[YouCantArgueWithStupid]

Just to say Blackheath is my fav part of SE London (we live just down the road). Are you looking for private or state schools?