Starting Over

[BonnieP]

We have been living in Canada for the past four years and have accomplished what we set out to do. My career has taken off and another year here would be a great accomplishment for me, not to mention the financial benefits for our family. Despite how well things are going, our aim has always been to return to the UK. My question is about timing. Our eldest (of three boys) will be entering Year 6 this September and I am aware that, if we were in the UK, we must register him for a school for Year 7, 2013, this November 2012. My question to you knowledgeable and experienced mums is: Would you advise we get there before this September to set things up and try to apply for our school(s) of choice or is there a possibility of arriving mid-year and still having a chance? We intend to return to the Leatherhead area. The boys have been in a French Immersion programme which, I would hope, helps their prospects.

Deadline for applying for secondary school places is the 31st October 2012. To apply for a school place you do need an address in the UK for this deadline.
I have no idea what the French immersion programme is - but not all secondary schools in the UK have French as the main foreign language. Some schools may teach other languages such as Spanish or German in Y7 and this is the sort of thing that you may need to find out about when you look for schools.
Am not from the Surrey area, but am aware of a school in our LEA that is an academy with languages specialism that does select 10% of pupils according to language aptitude (tested via special aptitude test). It is an all-girls school though so wouldn't be an option for you. There may be other schools nationally that allocate places in this way though.