What is the process for applying to schools?

[Lovethetimeyouhave]

I've been homeschooling 3 years! But it's just not feasible any more. I can't do it anymore. Ds spent another day yesterday refusing to study so we've decided that is enough is enough and he can go to school.
But, what is the access process? How do I go about viewing the school?

Bump

Local council website op. The admission process for part way through the school year should be on there.
You should contact the headteachers of the schools you are interested in to arrange to visit, depending on whether they have places available.

You need to look on your council website and looks under school applications. I assume you'd be looking for an in-year application. Or you can phone them if you feel that's better for you.

Then you can contact schools with places available in your area and ask to look around.

Look on your local council website under education. There will be information there. Also talk to the local schools so that you can visit, and also find out if they have vacancies. Primary or secondary? The schools will all have their admissions information on their websites which will also tell you how to apply.

Lots of the same advice posted at the same time while I was typing.

so we've decided that is enough is enough and he can go to school.

This might not be your intention, but It sounds like school is a punishment for not studying at home. It shouldn't be approached like this, school shouldn't be seen as negative option that has to happen, just because home schooling isn't working for you.

This page might be helpful, but please don't make any impulsive decisions.

www.gov.uk/apply-for-primary-school-place

Can I ask what your reasons were for HE in the first place? Did ds ever go to school?

The reason I ask is whatever the reason was you may need to ask specific questions particular to your ds at each school.

if you use private schools as we did from age 4 then you just need visit them and see if the child would pass the entrance test. As he will be at school all day you probably can go back to full time work which would pay the fees so it is a win win all round!

What year group are you applying for?
If year 2 you will be limited by Infant Class Size limits of 30.
If year 3 then this no longer applies.

If you contact your LA, they can tell you which schools in your area currently have spaces, if any. If none within reasonable distance then after a while there is something called Fair Access Protocol which can help.

However, you aren't entitled to a 'good' school just because you have now decided to use the state system. So you need to be realistic in what you might get if provision in your area is patchy.

The local council isn't always up to date which schools have how many places or how long waiting lists are. Best advice I was given (by a headteacher) when we were relocating was to ring up the schools we were interested in and put DC's names down. I was moving to a heavily populated, over subscribed area so ended up contacting all the local primary schools. DC1 got a place within a month at a less desirable school but we were happy he was in education at least. A week later an excellent school rang offering a place for both DC which I know we were very lucky to get. I don't know how it is in your local area but it might be worth doing similar.

Reasons to home educate were many, better bond with Ds, knowing where he is at all through, deciding on the important things and having more freedom amongst many others.

School isn't being used as a punishment and he has been told of the positives of school, friends etc.

But I am honestly at the end of the road. Dp thinks smacking him is the answer, but I can't do that and I have no authority over him. He just refuses. He's a very smart boy, very smart. But he just won't work.

I have the in year application so thank you, will emailing the heads work to get an appointment to look around?

I would phone the school office (not before 9:15am not after 2:45) and ask for an appointment.

NB All of the advice assumes you are England/Wales. If elsewhere different processes apply. e.g. In Scotland I think they more or less just give you a place at your catchment school.

Thanks I am in England

I rang the school - they won't tell me if they have space so I should ring the council, they won't arrange a viewing until I have spoken with the council! I ring the council but it says to hold at the point I need and then they put the phone down... every time... what now?!

Perhaps just turn up at something like 10am one morning and ask to have a look around, make them want to have you and perhaps they could squeeze the child in if you make a good impression.

Message your local council on Facebook. Mine offer this service and they get back to you almost instantly