Kids registration to school

[Vaivai]

I am first time mum and I am a bit lost and need help. We have a 3,5y/o, i understand that this January we need to register her for schools. Now we are relocating to Bristol in the beginning of February, we are not yet sure yet in which area of the city we are going to find our new place. This is were i get confused if what to do and has anyone done that before and how it worked out? Thank you x

For maximum choice you need to register for school by whatever date that area sets, you don't need to have actually moved but you will need to have signed a lease / exchanged contracts. If you can't meet the deadline you can apply late but you'll be allocated whatever is left.

Just to add more info: our rental in London is finishing end if nivemeber and we are planning to go away for couple months and come back in beginning of February to Bristol to look for new place to rent and find a school for our little one. Is this possible ir should we cancel our trip and just look for a place so we could get her registered to schools?

It would be far better to come back in January and get it sorted rather than February.

I moved when dd was five and I just applied, got a place in 3 weeks, lots of people don't apply in normal windows but you are at the mercy of spaces being available

Check the application deadline in your area. It's usually mid January and then sometimes there's a later deadline to accommodate house moves etc. If you can then make some visits to Bristol in the autumn term to see prospective schools. Sort your rental agreement out so you can use it as your permanent address and apply by the deadline as that gives you the most choice. Personally I wouldn't cancel the trip but would cut it short in order to prioritise the rental/school application.

@Vaivai

This has been the timetable for admission this year - it seems likely that it would be the same next year, meaning that you would need to know your address in Bristol in early January (if not earlier), giving you time to look at the school map and make enquiries.

www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/schools-learning-and-early-years/school-admissions/primary-admissions/application-timetable-for-new-reception-place

What do you have in mind for your trip? Is it imperative that you go at that particular point? I would consider going later if you can.

bcc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4ad0f3de9d784774868fa0e112f8f09e

We are planing to go to south asia for couples months, we both finishing contract jobs and rental at the end of November and wile we have no jobs lined up that we all could take a long trip to be together, before relocating and settling in new city. Maybe its too crazy.

I’d try sort the rental in Bristol before you head off. You need the signed contract but you do not have to have moved in.
So in October/November this year, I’d look for a good area with a good catchment school, sign up with all the letting agents explaining your situation and see if you can find somewhere that’s available from when you’re back.
You can then use the rental agreement to register her from abroad - it is done online. Means you can do the trip without sacrificing her chance to go to one of the more desirable schools.

If you want a choice of school then you need to make an on time application from an address in Bristol. A late application will mean you are allocated a place after the on time applicants which may be some distance from your new home or an undersubscribed school with vacancies. Alternatively could you afford a private school for which you could reserve a place in advance?

Also worth noting (assuming using the state system not private) that you aren’t registering for a school you are showing your preference for which schools you would like.

If you apply after the end of January deadline it will be treated as a late application and as such your place will be allocated after those who applied in the main round of applications. Depending on demand for places this could reduce the chances of a place at your preferred school.