I now regret not joining the mad London scrabble for a Reception place at a good private school. What the chance of getting a place somewhere good during Reception year?

[Avocadoes]

I live in West London. There are many good private schools near me but most require your child to be registered before their first birthday and then for them to pass interviews at three. DH and I decided to go the state route with a view to putting DD1 into a prep school at 7.

DD1 started Reception at our local state school this term. Its a good school, oustanding Ofsted etc. But I now regret not trying for a place somewhere else. There are 33 kids in DD1's class. Its chaos. Her teacher never has time to stop and talk and the teaching assistants seem to chop and change. Two thirds of the calss are boys and over half have english as a second language. DD1 is scared of the size and the noise and is not settling as well as I hoped.

We can afford to pay private and I really wish we had gone that route. I am about to start calling our favoured schools to see what the chances are of DD1 transferring in during the year. These are highly competitive schools though and I fear their waiting lists will be long, long, long.

Does anyone have any experience or advice?

Sorry to hear your DD isn't having fun in her school Avocadoes.

Give the schools a ring and ask if there are any cancellations?

I know quite a few parents who arrived from abroad and sent their child to the local private school (where my DD goes) by turning up with the chequebook, and bypassing the very long lists. There is a certain amount of churn in the first few months of school terms IMVHE.

Might be something that would work for you.

Good luck.

Call, and keep calling. My preferred school was full with a waiting list of 5 children when I called at around this stage in the year, but I called again and one child was moving overseas so a space came available. Had the assessment the following day and ds started more of less immediately. Coming from state you will be ahead of those in private but have to give a terms notice to move, so waiting lists don't always operate as you might expect.

But just don't jump to private instantly. Have a think about what would suit your dd. It is worth waiting for a place at a school that will truly suit her, not just because one has come up.

I have 2 dc in different independent schools in NW London and I'd say definitely just ring and ask. All the schools round here make a big song and dance about early application, but from talking to local parents and experience of my children's schools, in reality most have a place or two spare, or they come up during the year - London populations are so mobile. Worst they can say is no chance!

As to whether you should move her - I assume you've really thought it through, no one wants to move a child twice.

My DS is in a private school in west London and although the reception classes were both full for the whole year, spaces did open up for Y1 ( the school had 22 in reception which has dropped to 20 for Y1 due to children moving). If you try all the schools locally now, and make it clear you will be happy to consider a place whenever it opens up, you will almost certainly get somewhere by the end of the school year. You may also find of course that your DD settles into the current school by then and you don't need to make the move at all. Good luck with it anyway

We had a similar situation and it was impossible to get a place so we sent DS to Denham Village Infant School. It takes 15 minutes to get to by car from Ealing area and it's tiny. Reception had less than 20 pupils and it only goes to Y2. The only problem is coming back in the morning along the A40 after drop off as it gets congested so I would read a book or go to the local park with the dog for 30 mins then the traffic clears. It's worth a look - there were always places and it is such a nice school.

Thanks all. It sounds like persistance can pay off. I will reflect for another week or so in order to ensure that this is not a kneww jerk reaction because you are all right that its not worth rushing things like this.

I live in the Hammersmith area so Denham Village would be too far out I think. A problem is that the really local private schools are some of the most oversubscribed: Bute House, Ravenscourt Prep, Chiswick and Bedford Park etc. I loved Bute House when we visited but I don't think we have a chance in a million.

I am wondering about the Harrodian. Does anyone know anything about that?

Maybe try the prep schools in Kew/Richmond too. Bute House is by lottery I believe at reception so I think you have to write that off. You don't need perfection at reception you can move again for 7+ entry, I would be very unhappy with a class of 33 too.

My friends DD just started Lowther Primary in Barnes, it's state school, very nice small one with lovely atmosphere. Went there today to pick up friend's DD and felt so sad for my DD - she's in similar school you described and doesn't feel happy there. Lowther School just opened one extra reception class and there should be still places left, not 100% sure though. I so wish we'd lived locally there!

Sorry, my post is only helpful if you still considering state schools

I second what other people have said - just ring the schools (and keep doing so) and say you'd move the moment the place comes up, even mid-term.

I am surprised to hear Chiswick and BedfordPark oversubscribed - they are usuall a second choice for people who prefer Ravenscourt. Ravenscourt added another reception class, so more chances that a place will come up in Yr1 (i.e., more people, more likely to move). Feel free to try them both - people get in at the last moment in spite of 40 long wait list.

I wouldn't bother about Bute House, unlikely to have a place.

Ring Orchard house - they expanded and might have a spot. Additionally there is Basset House or Heathfield House. Good luck!

There is a bun fight for school places at reception and secondary level. It is often far more easy to secure a place a school if you are moving at a different time.

Please let us know how you get on. It would be interesting to know if this is really true, or an urban myth!

Prettypirate - all the state primaries in Barnes and KEw are over subscribed and have waiting lists - I would be amazed if a space opened up at this stage for someone out of the borough.

Harrodian use to be quite "robust" with children exclued from other private schools ending up there. However that was some time ago when it was quite new and could well have changed by now.

class size of 33 is relaly no problem if you have a good teacher and teaching assistant.

I assume you will discuss your concerns with the teacher and head before making any decisions?

i heard that ravenscourt are expanding, i don't know when but it may be worth a try.

have you tried Falcons?

You're probably right, it's just I don't have full info about Lowther. I only know there's not 30 kids in the new reception class and also my friend lives in Putney, not Barnes.
Good luck with your search though!!

Good luck with your search - Avocadoes

Avocadoes - what did you end up doing?
Is your DD settling in?

I am in the same situation. Could have afforded private, but being in North London its even harder to get a place in a private school that is not miles away and I gave up, but now wish I had not. My DD is at a school considered to be very good, but there are just too many children in the class, she is scared of one of the teachers and the whole thing is turning into a bit of a disaster... I think I am going to start ringing up some schools.

DS2 is in Y1 at a pre school. 3 children left his class at the end of the summer term.

And it is worth calling Lowther. Its geographical place in the borough means it might have spaces - and it's a great school.

I wouldn't panic about pulling out your children yet, the first term is a bit chaotic in the state system but things settle down, I promise.

I can understand your worries entirely, I had them this time last year and for similar reasons - like there being a minority of girls. But honestly there's no point rushing to another school purely because it's private, you need to take your time and bide it if necessary until a place comes up at the place that really will work for you long term.

I know you will but please please please make sure that you are moving your DD to the school that you really want. It will settle down and in my experience they don't do that much in reception and if you do lots with her at home she won't be behind even if she joins in year 1 or 2 or actually year 3.

What happened in the end OP?