To mention primary school applications close Monday (DOB 9/19-8/20)

[Persipan]

Shamelessly posting here for traffic because it's clear from reading past posts that there are always people who miss the deadline for whatever reason, which is clearly then an immensely stressful experience. Worth it if it helps someone!

Great post! Have spent my week chasing parents and helping them complete the form. Remember to put down your 3 choices - if you only put 1, you run the risk of being given a place miles away.

That too! I was horrified to hear a colleague tell me the other day that she'd heard from a friend that if you only put down one school they'd 'have' to give you it, and I had to hastily explain that that's not how it works.

Bump bump bump!

Where we are, there are six boxes to fill for schools. We filled them all, thought that we might as well.

It would be really easy to miss this info.

Same with primary open days that I had to really make an effort to find info about, none of them made it easy except the school we ended up picking!

Don't forget as well... you still need to apply if your elder children go there and if your child is in the school nursery!!!

And another bump, with the reminder to check that it has been fully and correctly submitted and that you have a reference number/confirmation email

Also that if you have to submit a SIF (for a faith school) or any other supporting info that you have done this (and ideally got a receipt)

Absolutely! You will never be in a worse position by using all your preference slots in genuine order of preference, and doing so could help you avoid being offered something miles away that neither you or anybody else wanted.

Another bump here to say great thread.

Also no matter what 'Jane' down the road said about so and so's kids getting into the over subscribed school because they only put one school remember putting one school doesn't mean you will get that school! All it means it's id you don't meet the criteria for that school you'll be left with literally any school with space!

Not unreasonable at all.

Completely unrelated but the idea that Covid babies are starting primary school this September has really messed with my sense of time.

It's definitely a weird one I guess for but for those of us with children going this September it's just the norm which I guess is even weirder. What I still find hard to comprehend if I give it brain space is my DS has never known a world without covid...

Don't forget as well... you still need to apply if your elder children go there and if your child is in the school nursery!!!

Absolutely worth repeating!

Also please remember that just because your child attends the school nursery, it doesn't mean they will get a place at the school. We have a school nursery, and every year we have parents who think they're guaranteed a place because their child attends the nursery.

Bump

We've done it today. We are a sibling application so not as stressful as last time!

Also
. put the schools in your true order of preference, schools don't fill up with first preferences first, no need to try to game this
. put a 'banker' school down - one you are confident of getting into. Better a poor school on your doorstep than a poor school 10 miles away
. don't lie about your address, it is defrauding the rightful child of their place, it isn't victimless

Another helpful bump. There's not long left now, so please make sure you apply.

Another evening bump to remind everyone that

The deadline is TOMORROW.

Covid babies go to school! Bless em

Absolutely worth a reminder and also all the added points people have made.

Every year there are parents that don't apply, because of misinformation given them or just them following "what they think" or just not knowing.

I'm sure all MNers have completed their applications, but just in case here's another helpful bump.

And another bump, just in case

Late night bump, in case that spurs anyone into action

A nice early morning bump to say

TODAY'S THE DAY APPLICATIONS CLOSE.

Make sure you get a screen that says application submitted (or similar) or a confirmation email.
That has come up on Mumsnet before... the application not submitting.