Arrgh! Was just reminded by another thread that my twins will be off to secondary in September...

[GodzillasBingoWings]

And i am scared
There are no decent schools near me, but the one i think is the best of a bad bunch (and is more tailored towards their artisticness) is not only a 30-40 minute walk, but they aren't in the catchment area either.
They aren't going to get in are they?

Plus, they are only just learning how to cross roads properly (yes, i know, i am bad bad mother, but teaching two at once isn't as easy as it sounds!).
Plus plus, i'm not just sending one off...but two at the same time and this is seriously scarier than when they went to primary school!

[GodzillasBingoWings]

Most of the parents in my dds' classes have sent their application forms back - although the open evenings haven't even started yet - am i leaving it late or are they early?

[Hallgerda]

Provided you get the form in on time it doesn't matter exactly when you get it in - hope that helps. Good luck!

[MaureenMLove]

First of all, it makes no difference whether you send you forms back today or in 3 weeks, as long as its in by the closing date. Secondly, bit foolish to not go and look at the schools first imho, but if they are sure, then who am I to say.

Do you know for sure, that they won't get into this school because of catchment area? Generally, its slightly different each year, depending on how many actually want a place there. If there's a low birth rate for your lo's year, for example, they will be able to take people from further away.

Try not to panic about them not being street wise yet, yo'd be suprised how quickly they grow up in year 6. Promise! I've just sent dd off into Yr 7 this week!

Have you got all the booklets from all your schools yet?

[GodzillasBumcheek]

Have no booklets, just a list of open evenings - and i've been so flustered i haven't even checked when the forms are due back! Surely it won't be before the OE though?
These people have mostly opted for the school in our catchment area - which i pesonally think is awful and would rather HE than send them there. Maybe over-reacting, but i want them to actually be educated rather than spend the whole school day being disrupted by other pupils, which this school has a bad rep for.

[MaureenMLove]

It will be on your mind constantly until the forms are signed & delivered! Sorry! I was there this time last year and I actually banned all talk of it in the end. We had until the last day of term before half term, but this may not be the same in your area. Have you had a CAF form home today? I saw yr 6's clutching their at our school today. Have a look on your council website, it will probably be on there. Once you've seen all the schools, you'll feel slightly less in the dark about it all. Don't panic yet, check out all the schools with an open mind and don't take the word of someone else who says a school is 'crap', YOU need to see for yourself. If you can, go to the open days rather than evenings. You can get a much better feel for the school if its full of students.

[GodzillasBumcheek]

Yes i know...it's a bit suspect when they only have open Evenings too! It's not just one person's word that this school is bad unfortunately. In fact, it is a newly opened 'academy' merging two of the worst schools in the town . I really am avoiding it like it has a contagious disease!

Btw, am i supposed to take the kids with me when i view these schools? I have no idea!

[MaureenMLove]

Oh dear! The word 'academy' always rings bells with me too. We've got one of them, reasonably new and in a not very nice area. And yes, you need to take the kids with you.

[GodzillasBumcheek]

Good...was going to, and wondering whether i would look daft! Am hoping to send them to the school with the best rep for helping dyslexics! That'd do nicely. Although they do need assessing first, admittedly.

[MaureenMLove]

I'm sure it'll all fall into place, once you get in the swing of things. Its the no knowing thats worrying. Once you get to half term and the forms are in, there's nothing more to worry about for a while. I'm sure if they've been statemented (sorry if thats not the right term, I know nothing!) for dyslexia, your current school will send all the necessary paperwork with them to their new school.

Have no fear, you will wonder what all the fuss was about, this time next year. I cannot believe a whole year has gone by already and dd is now there! She has slipped into secondary school like a dream and we are all very happy. Good luck! (Just shout if you think of anything else! )

[GodzillasBumcheek]

I know they'll be okay in general, and thanks for the reassurance! They haven't been statemented (yes, it is that term i think because they need a 'Statement of Special Needs') because the school they are in says that they can't do it. But i'm going to get that sorted in the new school when i haven't got a young baby to look after too.