Primary school applications...

[Nemo2007]

Do you have to put down 3 preferences?????????

I think you do, but haven't got our form yet! put the one you really want 1st, then hope like hell

I haven't as I'm hoping that the fact ds is at the school will get dd in!

I think if it is your first child then yes, although I can't remember doing so as there are only 2 schools local to us!

No but as I am putting down my fourth nearest school as my first choice and my third nearest school as my second choice (and my third choice is about eighth nearest) I was advised not to leave any choices empty. Otherwise I would be given my nearest school if I didn't get into my first two choices iyswim. And he is definintely not going there!

I just out the one for dd in 2005 and did ds's last week, just put one for him too.

even though he has a place in school nursery starting next week!...bugger I hadnt contemplated him NOT getting into the school...

No you don't - if you know which school you want and are confident you'll get in, because you already have older child there for example, you only need to put one. That's what I did last year.
If you're not confident, however, it is worth using all your choices as they cannot offer you a place at a school you do not put on the form. This means that, if you live in an over-subscribed area, you could end up with no offer at all and be in the scramble for the last few places at the end - not a good idea.

god what to do..dont want to put others as didnt really want anywhere else but then if I dont its pot luck...buggeration

Being in nursery doesnt guarntee a place we had 12 kids from the nursery not get into reception mainly done on postcodes and siblings I think!

We were advised to put 3 choices, at least one of which should be a school that has tradtionally covered your house.
I put down closest school (400m), then a slightly left-field choice (but not extremely so, only missed by about 100m) and then 3rd choice that I was happy with and about 0.75miles away.
Didn't get No. 1 even though is closest.
Didn't get No. 2 (like said, missed by about 100m)
Got No. 3 and am happy enough, though not ecstatic. Thank my lucky stars that I got it though, because the 2 other schools I would have been allocated were definitely not on my list.

BTW, dd at the school No. 1 nursery too, as will ds be in a year.

I'm worried about this whole thing too, now that nursery place is no longer a criteria on the list for admission to reception I'll put 3 (appplying January), but as we applied to 6 nurseries and only got 2 offers ,one of which has no school attached, I doubt we'll get a place anywhere

they have changed the way they measure the distances here. Up till last year it was along roads and footpaths now it as the crow flies Thta means I ma very near to school I don't want as the crow flies but it is actually a long trip to the bridge and back along the other side of the river!

It's as the crow flies here too, which is ridiculous if you ask me since it makes no allowances for what journey is easiest and most walkable. The school we got involves crossing 2 main roads. The school we wanted is a straight walk with no main roads to cross.

Also, they measure from the front door of the school rather than the most-used entrance, which is on the nearest side of the school to me.

ok we have 2 other schools closer but they are not catholic schools. We are practising catholics and this school has always been our choice!! I have just put down one preference..so wish me luck

Ah well, if faith school there may be other criteria they use, including reference from priest and attendance at the nursery. Different rules I think though depends on the area and which parsh/church the school is attached to.

I only put down one but then DD2 will be in Y6 when the DTs start and siblings is the second criterion (being in care is the first).

I did my application online, have sent the proof of address and birth (why they woudn't just accept my birth story is beyond me!) and now wait until the decision is made.

pooka yes church school have their own admissions criteria. Our is laid out int he county admissions booklet they give out with the forms. Interestingly our second nearest is a catholic school and I don't want it!

If you choose a school on faith grounds a letter from the priest will go a long way to help. Some parents pretend to be religious to get into school so if a priest can caonfirm that your really religious and go to church regularly that will help!!!

we can't apply until December I think for September 2008. Is that late compared to you lot?

yes forms in by 18th Oct here.

I know when we applied to nursery I had to get forms stamped and confirmed by parish office. We know priest really well so am hoping if we have any probs then he will help us out.Dh family have attended the church for years and we also have friends from church who teach at the school..although dont know if that would help..lol

when we applied for DS i put one school and will do teh same for ds2 when the time comes

he baptised all our dc etc and when he was training he and dh were really good friends.

Application has to be in by 30th nov here but just doing it while I can remember..also hoping first come first served type of thing.