Choosing a school

[nztoni]

Hi,

I'm in need of some advice please!

Our plans to emigrate to New Zealand in August have been postponed indefinitely due to my husband and I separating. As we were leaving before DS was to start school in September I have not done any research into UK schools for him at all. I am from NZ and so don't know the system here either.

Is it possible to get into a school this late or will he have to go private?

I am looking in the West Berkshire to South West Bucks region (Windsor to Beaconsfield to Uxbridge area). I need to find a house and a school, preferably the school and then move to that area, is this possible or do you need to have an address there before applying - what if you then don't get in?!

I'm really at a loss for what to do first, any advice gratefully appreciated!

thank you

How old is your ds ? If he is already 4 and will turn 5 next academic year, contact the Local Authority School Admissions department and they will be able to advise which schools currently have spaces, although you may not be able to apply until you have an address and by then someone else may have taken the place. You may well have to move first and then go on waiting lists. Private schools are no more likely to have spaces at this stage.

Thanks for your reply, I'll do that now!

Sorry, yes he is 4 and will turn 5 in March.

get on the waiting list now for the privates and do a late state school admission (from your current address?)

Sorry to hear of your troubles, must be stressful at this stage. Remember they have to provide a Reception place for him somewhere (the least desirable schools will have space of course) you can always start there and move on later to a school near where you move once you're in the system and on the waiting lists.

In your position I would try and rent/buy a house asap very close to a good state school (you often need to be extremely close and waiting list places are also allocated by the same criteria). I would also see if any local private schools had space (again, the good ones will almost certainly have a waiting list now) and choose one or two to get on the waiting list (you will have to pay a deposit) - then that's an option for later if you don't like the state one the LEA will eventually allocate to you.

Good Luck

Thank you for the advice, much appreciated. The list of schools to research is sooo long! Plus it could be either county... very daunting and the LEA has just told me i have to lodge preferences by tomorrow!

Is there a quick way to find the best schools in each county?

its obviously subjective and personal visits are the most helpful ime which you obviously haven't got time for so second best is probably to look at the published league tables and Ofsted reports for each county (Ofsted website and BBC website?)

also once you've got a shortlist post on mumsnet in primary schools and ask for opinions? realistically at this point you probably haven't got much choice but these things tend to sort themselves out in y1 (year after Reception) anyway I find.

Ok, thank you, I'll check the reports.

What do you mean 'sort themselves out'? Could we move him in Year 1? And, really dumb question alert...., is reception not the same as year 1? Reception 4-5 and Year 1 5-6. Sorry, the system here is really different to NZ!!

Don't really too much on OFSTED reports - they are more for the government purposes and not the school!!! (I'm a teacher). Go and have a look at the school instead and get a feel for the place. We start of at Reception then year 1, 2, 3 etc . Good luck

Rely

Reception is the first class (4-5) and y1 is the second year at school (5-6). and yes there is often a lot of movememt between schools between Reception and year 1. so whatever school you manage to get him into for reception in September, he doesn't necessarily have to stay there. you can remain on waiting lists for schools you prefer, are nearer to where you end up living etc.

Don't panic too much is what I am saying. Reception needs to be friendly, welcoming with a kind teacher and they need to introduce them to reading and a bit of writing and numberwork. Most Reception classes manage this fine in all schools, especially round where you are. And he won't be a pariah if he moves for y1, many children do.

School year runs 1st Sept - 31st Aug
Children have to start school in the school year they turn 5 i.e. children who turn 5 between 1st Sept 14 and 31st Aug 15 start school this Sept.
Reception (YR) is the first year of school so 4-5
Year 1 the next (5-6)
Y2 - (6-7)

There are legal limits on class sizes for YR, Y1 and Y2 so that (save for exceptional circumstances) classes are limited to 30 pupils (this is only relevant for state schools as private school classes are smaller). Consequently state schools especially popular/good ones are often full for the first couple of years. From Yr3 onwards these limits fall away and so there may be more free spaces. For YR you may be allocated a less popular school, however, you can go on the waiting list for schools you prefer and if a space comes up it will be allocated in accordance with the school's published admissions criteria.

Thank you all so much. I think I need to get him a place secured anywhere for now. Then get a list of preferred schools and find somewhere to live in their catchment before the 3rd round on July 11th. That gives a bit more breathing space.

Thank you again.

St Mary's (state) or Lambrook (private) in Winkfield Row - near Windsor. Loads of housing options.

Great, I'll check them - thank you, panic is dropping and I'm starting to feel a bit more in control!!!

Sorry to hear of the separation - you must be feeling at sixes and sevens without having to deal with schools. Good advice above. The only other thing I would add is that your DS doesn't have to start school, legally, until the start of the term after he turns 5. So, even if his birthday is in September, you won't get chased until January. He can stay in nursery until then, to give you a bit of breathing space. I don't know your area, but round here (Brighton) you would probably still be able to find a place in a good private school, even at this late stage, for a September start.