Applying for primary school..what you need to know.

[CurlewKate]

1. Check the admissions criteria for the school very carefully. Twice. Three times. They are the only things that matter. You cannot buck the system.

1. It does not matter what order you put schools on the form.

1. Putting only one school down does not mean they have to give you that school. The admissions criteria still apply.

4.If you get a school you don't want, ACCEPT it and then appeal. If you reject it and lose the appeal you will be allocated any place that's available after all other allocations have been made.

1. Before you apply find out how far away from the school the most distant successful applicant was last year. This does not mean it will be the same this year-but it gives you an idea.

1. Some years there will be more children who fit non distance criteria (siblings, AEN, looked after children,faith) than others. If there are 25 of these children then there are only 5 other spaces available. They will go to the 5 children who live closest.

Please add anything I've forgotten.

Just to add to your second point... what order you put the schools in does matter if you qualify for more than one of your preferences. So put your favourite of them first. But it won't affect your chances of getting your last choice if you only qualify for it.