Are there any great schools where you live then ?

[gagababy]

I recently moved. My DD is only two and a friend asked me this.

This might seem like a really obvious question. But how do you find out if there are great schools where you live ?

I looked on ofsted and found some outstanding primaries and secondaries.

There are also some nice private schools, primary / secondary.

What else should I look out for ?

For secondary I would look at their results etc. What about primaries ?

In my village there are two outstanding rated primaries. I read when you can start applying, can I take this at face value, or do I need to get onto a waiting list beforehand ?

Sorry if this all sounds dumb. But I don't really know where to start. People keep telling me it's already too late and I need to get my DD into a school. But both schools in my village haven't even opened applications yet. She won't be starting until 2024.

Is it always a necessary to send her to the nursery of the school I want to send her to as well ?

Thanks for your help.

Unless the school is a voluntary aided religious school where they have some flexibility with criteria then going to the nursery etc makes no difference. No waiting lists etc. You'll apply in the autumn of the school year before she would start reception and the order will roughly go kids in care and kids with additional needs which that school has been identified as meeting, siblings of kids already there and then distance. You'll be able to get info on how far away from school the furthest child to get in lived. You'll apply to up to 5 schools and list them in preference. Preference makes no difference to how likely you are to get in, all it does is mean that if you meet the criteria for more than 1 school then you'll be offered your highest choice out of those.

Religious schools are a little different but usually just means the criteria is along the lines of kids in care, kids of that religion,kids of another religion, all the rest based on distance.

You apply the school year they turn four (runs September to August) so just after or before they turn four. Lots of schools have a nursery, which is from three, but a place at the nursery doesn't guarantee the school place.

Places are allocated according to admissions criteria not application time.

Ok so people who've told me it's already a bit late are just full of it. Because this is also not what I saw on the school's admission pages.

Thanks for helping me out. I didn't go to school in the UK as a young child.

When will they be three years old?

Feb 2023

For a Feb birthday you will need to apply by mid January just before they turn four for a English State school.

You do it via the council. Not with the school.

Loads of time. Don't panic. Early applications aren't a thing. You can't put their name down like with a nursery

Unless it’s a private you apply to the schools near you. That’s your “catchment” Most people get the school Closest to them. That’s it.

If you want one that’s not in catchment then you can apply, maybe get the place and or not. If not you can appeal. That’s it.

Sounds like you’re friends with some comparative parents!

@Bunce1

Unless it’s a private you apply to the schools near you. That’s your “catchment” Most people get the school Closest to them. That’s it.

If you want one that’s not in catchment then you can apply, maybe get the place and or not. If not you can appeal. That’s it.

Sounds like you’re friends with some comparative parents!

It took me a bit off guard. Their baby isn't even born yet and they were going on and on about how they needed to stay in london and live in a small house so the baby can go to these amazing schools there.

And how they already need to get the baby on a waiting list. We've chosen to move a bit further out as we wanted more space. Maybe in london you have to put babies on a list or something.

Your friends are probably talking about private schools.

There are a handful of uber competitive state schools where they give places based on time on the waiting list and you need to register at birth to get a place. This is never the case in state schools and not in many private schools either.

@PeachesPumpkin

Your friends are probably talking about private schools.

So how do they differ ? Do you need to get on a list for them ? I am interested in private ones too.

@BendingSpoons

There are a handful of uber competitive state schools where they give places based on time on the waiting list and you need to register at birth to get a place. This is never the case in state schools and not in many private schools either.

Ooh ok.

Hope it all works out for you and your DD enjoys school when she goes.

@BendingSpoons

There are a handful of uber competitive state schools where they give places based on time on the waiting list and you need to register at birth to get a place. This is never the case in state schools and not in many private schools either.

Thats against the admissions code in England.

You can’t put children on waiting lists in advance for state schools. Not any. Not in London, not anywhere in England and Wales.

You apply during the admissions round for your child’s birth year. They will have open days or offer to show parents round in the run up to applications opening.

The only time you go on a waiting list for a state school is if you have been offered one of your lesser preferred schools, and want to go on the waiting list for a school you prefer. But this is after you have applied.

Look on your local authority website under Primary Admissions. And the individual schools websites, as you have.

For Nursery admissions look on the schools nursery pages, and your local authority where nursery may be called ‘Early Years’.

However, lots of private schools and private nurseries DO take names on waiting lists, maybe from birth. But if you have a choice of two outstanding primaries, why would you wish to pay? (Some do).

Enjoy life in your new village!

@EdgeOfTheSky

You can’t put children on waiting lists in advance for state schools. Not any. Not in London, not anywhere in England and Wales.

You apply during the admissions round for your child’s birth year. They will have open days or offer to show parents round in the run up to applications opening.

The only time you go on a waiting list for a state school is if you have been offered one of your lesser preferred schools, and want to go on the waiting list for a school you prefer. But this is after you have applied.

Look on your local authority website under Primary Admissions. And the individual schools websites, as you have.

For Nursery admissions look on the schools nursery pages, and your local authority where nursery may be called ‘Early Years’.

However, lots of private schools and private nurseries DO take names on waiting lists, maybe from birth. But if you have a choice of two outstanding primaries, why would you wish to pay? (Some do).

Enjoy life in your new village!

Thank you!

I don't know yet about the private / or not thing. Especially for primary. I may go with the outstanding ones if she can get in there and see how she gets on !

There are a handful of uber competitive state schools where they give places based on time on the waiting list and you need to register at birth to get a place. This is never the case in state schools and not in many private schools either.
I think "state" in the first sentence was a typo.

Private schools are also exceptionally expensive, you need to check you can afford fees. Think 25k per year plus extras per child…

@Boombastic22

Private schools are also exceptionally expensive, you need to check you can afford fees. Think 25k per year plus extras per child…

I do know this much haha.

I went to one myself.

To be fair, even the good ones aren't anywhere near that in the North! Probably £3-5k per term.

@MeredithGreyishblue

To be fair, even the good ones aren't anywhere near that in the North! Probably £3-5k per term.

I'm looking at a secondary one near me at 6 k per term. However, I can imagine once DD reaches the age, it will probably be more !

The school my daughter goes to you won’t get in unless you register in the first week of their birth (and even then it isn’t certain). The wait list is around 200, there are only 16 spots.
This is a w11 private school. I was literally just talking over dinner about how I want to move her due to the socioeconomic exposure she’s getting.
Yes, many sort after private schools you need to register at birth and have a in but don’t be fooled. They come at a cost.
If you have an outstanding primary then I would really consider that.

Don’t be caught up in the private school madness. If your child doesn’t go to the acorn it will be ok.

@Username7521

The school my daughter goes to you won’t get in unless you register in the first week of their birth (and even then it isn’t certain). The wait list is around 200, there are only 16 spots. This is a w11 private school. I was literally just talking over dinner about how I want to move her due to the socioeconomic exposure she’s getting. Yes, many sort after private schools you need to register at birth and have a in but don’t be fooled. They come at a cost. If you have an outstanding primary then I would really consider that.

Don’t be caught up in the private school madness. If your child doesn’t go to the acorn it will be ok.

Oh wow. I don't know if there are such prestigious schools around here. How can I find out ?

@BendingSpoons

There are a handful of uber competitive state schools where they give places based on time on the waiting list and you need to register at birth to get a place. This is never the case in state schools and not in many private schools either.

Oops massive typo, as PP said I meant 'uber competitive PRIVATE schools' but generally only a small number. Most you can register nearer the time.