Starting primary school - whats the process?

[kittylette]

Hi,

my son is almost 2 and im wondering if i should start thinking about his schooling?

i know which school i want him to go to, its the same one i attended. Its in out area, but when do i apply?

do i apply? or are application letters sent out?

how do i go about this?

TIA,

Kitty xx

Kitty, assuming we are talking state primary, you will be sent an application form through yr DS's pre-school (nursery, playgroup etc) in November before he is due to start the following sept, ie the school year in which he turns 4, in other words in 2 years' time.

You will be able to put a first and second choice of schools but if you are in the catchment area of yr 1st choice you should have no problem I would imagine (certainly no primaries hereabouts refuse children who are in the catchment area).

HTH

If they have a nursery then I would call and ask about putting his name down for that. Depending on when he turns three, he should get a place there for next September.

For schools, in our area we get a form and an application pack from the council (or from the school, if the child is attending nursery there) and just send that back in.

I think in most areas, a place at the school's nursery does not guarantee a place at the school itself, so that application has to be made separately.

You could have a look at your local Council's website for information and dates etc although this may change by the time your ds' application has to go in.

You would apply the academic year before he starts. He'd start in Reception September 2009 I think at about 4 3/4 unless your school has a nursery class attached to which he could go earlier (but you still make a separate application for Reception entry). Your LEA should send you a pack in the preceding Autumn (2008) or Spring(2009) Have a look at the LEA website to see how their application system curently works and to what deadlines.

You could also speak to the school to find out their priority criteria for places and if they are generally oversubscribed, but doing so won't get your ds a place just register an interest.