Applying for high schools...

[sophisticatedsarcasm]

My DS starts high school in September next year and I’ve been waiting and waiting for his current school to send out the usual letter telling us it’s time to start to apply. I thought it was strange as when my sister transitioned (3 years ago) they sent out the letters in September. However this year, nothing. It’s only because I got fed up of waiting I checked to see if I could just do it only to find out the deadline is a week away 😱 lucky I checked and not waited for the school. Anyone else experienced this?

Our letter telling us it was time to apply came from the local Council, not from DS primary school.

It's not the school's responsibility to tell you.

We had messages at the end of the summer term. And then we had info from the council about secondary school open days. A separate publication about when/how to apply for schools. Reminders in school newsletter. Non stop conversations on the subject with other parents at pick up and drop off. There was absolutely no way we could have missed it.
But I'm surprised you've waited this long before checking the deadlines in your area.