Registering dd for primary school

[shhhh]

DD is only 16 months BUT I understand that we need to be sorting out her education now. How do I go about finding about schools in the area, what they offer, what their results are, what policies they have, basically what type of school is it and what are their standards.

Is there some website I can view to get access to this information or is it a case of visiting the schools independantly.?
Info on state and private schools is required.

Advice appreciated. TIA.

You could always start with the local government website for your area. It should have links to league tables for local state schools at least. I know you can't tell a lot about a school from the tables but it will give you an idea of the underperforming schools you eill want to cross off your list. Also you can find out average class sizes and trends of improvements in your local schools. You will be able to find out if a school is over subscribed or has a lot of places not taken up.

Try here ofsted website but would recommend visiting as many as possible. When we moved to a new area, we just rang the schools concerned and arranged appointments.

YOu could start visiting local schools now but tbh, dd starts next September 2007 and we chose to visit schools in June and July this year. A lot can happen in a school even in the space of a year that could change your opinion. You won't be able to put your application until the Autumn before she's due to start anyway.

You can't really put children down for State Schools (even the opted out , funded ones) as such until the actual application process during the year before they are due to start. All you can do is register your interest so you get sent the latest prospectus and an invitation to an open day nearer the time. The LEA website should have details of those in your area and the timescales/procedures for application or your local library may have a copy of this year's application booklet. The Ofsted website will have their reports. The BBC website has results tables online and you can search by postcode to find your local ones.

For independent schools many will be listed \link{http://www.isc.co.uk/ here} or in the Good Schools Guide. Chances are they are taking applications for your dd's age group already. Often there is a a rash of open days for prospective parents in the Autumn so keep your eyes on local papers or ring them and ask when their next one is. Nursery and Reception for these schools will also be Ofsted inspected.

hth

Ah right. Thanks everyone.

So it looks like for state school theres no real rush as we can't officailly apply until dd is about a year from starting school although private school we need to be getting her name down soon..Have I understood this right..?

I reckon so (although have no experience of private could be talking nonsense!!)but deffo don't need for state schools until year before. I am picking up D2's application pack tomorrow and he starts next Sept.

Yes, state school - year before she is due to start. Private schools - go now.

can someone help me?

dd will be going to school in sept 2008 (i know its ags away, but that only emphasises my desparation!). the school i want her to go to is apparently one of the top 5% nationally and a church school. i have requested some info re their admission criteria - but they wont give until June 2007. ive learnt that one of their main criteria is regular church attendance for at least 2 years.

i will have been attending for 1 and half years by admission time. what happens in this case. ive been participating in as many activities as possible, but have been warned by a friend that thiws will not guarantee dd a place.

any suggestions?

We started looking reasonably early. We wanted also a nursery school for mornings only from age 3 until big school so if you want that kind of thing you might want to look at those too and if you're wanting a private school at 5 or earlier then you might want to look at their nursery parts which feed in etc.
The academdic private schools with competition for places mostly test children in the Jan before they start and don't go by registration at birth because if you register at birth you might be registering those with an IQ of 80 who wouldn't fit in at that school so it would be a nonsense. If it's not a selective private primary then early registration might well be necessary. Parents queuing at midnight or fathers registration from delivery suites etc not unknown in those kinds of schools but they are not usually the ones one would want anyway.

What faith is the school? and what faith are u

crazymaybe

on what criteria is it one of the top 5%. Have you visited? Will it suit your child? Does it have a broad and balanced curriculum? Do they develop the whole child? There is more to a good school than just exam results imho. However if you don't meet their criteria you may need to consider other local schools. Surely they must be good too? It sounds like you only going to church for the school place so I am assuming you don't want her to go there for religious reasons?

I apologise if I have upset you but just want to give you something to think about...

cece

thnax for your comments, they are perfectly founded and i question myself about this often.

i used to be a practicing christian for about 20 but to be honest i went out of habit than a particular spititual drawing. then i started going to this c of e church, the catalyst being the school place. but i know there are people who will disagree with this, but i am just being honest.

i do enjoy going and i even went to a catholic church which is attached to a school with a higher annual intake, but it just wasnt for me, so i stopped.

i dont want to feel like im 'using' God or going to church as a pretence, but if dd's education is a precursor to my re-establishing my faith is that such a bad thing?

crazymaybe - having no experience of this "going to church gets you a place in the school" malarkey I may be completely wrong but I would think if you are sincere in your actions - i.e. getting involved in church life etc, the minister will surely take that into consideration when they get your application?
Don't know but I would hope so.