To wish fil would stop asking every single time?

[CaterpillarInTheGarden]

Every time fil is here (approximately every month) he asks the same question - when are we signing dc up for a school. Dc is 20 months old. We tell him that the schools in our catchment area are mediocre rated by ofsted and are under subscribed looking at previous years, and we can't afford a house in a better catchment area yet. Yet he always asks every time! Do you put your dc's name down at 20 months? Is that even how it works?

Just read the current admissions code. It does seem to imply that in some cases children who attended the nursery class or school run nursery could have priority (e.g. Section 1: Oversbscription Criteria: 1.9e) but in practice I have not seen this for some time.

Ask him if he’s signed up for his care home yet.

I never understand why people write comments like this in response to an older person asking a question. I don’t believe you’d dare say it IRL.

Let’s face it, given OP hasn’t a Scooby how the process works, why should FIL? At least she can now say that the council will send out applications the year before he’s 5 (or whatever). FIL is then informed and won’t need to ask again.

Win double with no need for snark.

I remember my fil neighbour asking us if ds2 was in nursery yet. Fil said to her, right infront of me, shaking his head and rolling his eyes "no she's just going to teach him herself apparently". Ds was 8 months old. I couldn't quite figure out what he was in about.

fil you keep asking this, would you like me to write it down for you? Give him a slip with the date you need to apply to your local school.

fil you keep asking this, would you like me to write it down for you? Give him a slip with the date you need to apply to your local school

Except until this thread OP wouldn't have been able to answer, I guess that's why he's kept asking!

@ArgumentativeAardvaark That's ridiculous! How on earth can you 'interview' a pre-schooler?!

It depends on where you live. In my home country you sign them up when they are born.

@Evertheconundrum they do a “play-based assessment”. We’re not putting him in for it though.

Yeah, just tell him you put DC down for Hogwarts the day he/she was born.😉

I’m wondering if you answered him at all? If he doesn’t understand and it looks like you don’t either (don’t worry, I think most of us have been there and it’s online now too) now that you do know, just answer and explain how it works and then if he asks again just say you’ve already had the conversation.

Applications for school entry in Sept 2020 have just opened In my area. With a deadline of 15th Jan.
The criteria for application was drafted this time last year and confirmed at the start of this year. The application criteria for 2021 will be drafted this term. And for 2022 this time next year.
If you want a faith school do check when the attending church qualifying period is.
It's changed a lot in recent years. I guess it wouldn't harm to send your FiL the link.
It's also worth noting that the ofsted framework of assessment has changed enormously. Many schools rated outstanding under the old system are likely to perform poorly under the new assessment process.
If you want to get a good idea of how the school is performing it's worth asking the Clerk of Governors for the last 12 months worth of Governor minutes. That could be very eye-opening. They can't refuse to provide it.

Not sure if been mentioned but Boots have 3 for 2 Christmas mix and match on. Says online only. Lots of toys in the offer

@ArgumentativeAardvaark That's awful!!! Picking & choosing the best kids? Are they worried about their school image or something?

@Evertheconundrum very very many private schools are academically selective, or at very least choose kids who fit their particular vision of the school community. Had you not realised this? It’s no different to getting older kids to sit an entrance exam.

Write down the application date on numerous slips of paper. Put them in your pocket when you’re expecting to see him. Hand him one every time.

If he continues, hide the slip in the baby’s carrier. Produce it with a flourish and say ‘Oooo look. Even baby knows, and he’s only xx months old!’.

Or start saying things like ‘Oh FIL, we’ve got to fix tea in a minute. Can you get your ‘school’ question out of the way, so I don’t have to reexplain it later when we’ve got our hands full?’

Make a family joke out of this annoying guy.