Confused about primary school application.

[Tokyotwist]

I've just been reading the Gloucestershire council web pages to find out when I need to apply for dd's primary school.

I want her to go at 4 and her b'day is in August, but the site suggests that even if she is accepted into the Reception class, I will need to reapply for when she's 5 and they can't guarantee she will be given the same school.

Surely this can't be right. If it is, then I may keep her at her current nursery for another year as I do not want to end up in a position where she has to move more than once.

Does anyone know what actually happens?

No, that's just if you apply for a reception place, but then want to defer until your child is actually 5 (so beginning of Yr1) - the school admin booklet seems to suggest that a place would be held if you asked, but if you don't ask, you need to apply again - they won't automatically hold it for a year.

If you apply for a reception place this coming December 2011 for the next September 2012 for your DD who will be 4 in the Aug 2012, she will go into reception and you won't need to reapply for Yr 1.

They actually must not hold the place if you defer for a full year. That would be a breach of the Admissions Code. However, as PatriciaHolm says, once your child is in Reception you will not have to reapply until she needs to change schools.

Oh Thank you, I thought I must have misunderstood but was beginning to worry about having to find another year of nursery fees.