Primary admissions 2013/2014. Advice please.

[BambinoBoo]

We will soon start looking at schools for DS to attend next year, however, I am a bit confused as to the way forward in our case and would appreciate some advice please.
We live in Fishponds on the border between South Glos and Bristol, although I think we are classed as S. Glos. We have yet to view the schools, but on reputation / word of mouth have a good idea which ones we may favour. My problem is that, two of the schools come under S.Glos ( Christchurch CofE and Staple Hill) and the other comes under Bristol (St Joseph's RC). I am Catholic, DH isn't but happy for DS to attend a faith school.. I would therefore probably state a preference of Christchurch (as it's nearest), St Joseph's then staple hill. I'm just very confused over how that mix might work. Am I allowed to submit 2 applications to each council? If so, that seems very unfair on other parents. Any pointers would be great. Thank you.

Ring the education departments and ask. Even better, go in and chat. See the maps and admission criteria - find out how many applied for how many places- if there were appeals and if so how many got in on appeal.

You will need to get a copy of the admissions booklet which will be available from the library and local schools. You will need to look at both Bristol and South glos books but you only do one form listing the three schools you wish you to be considered for. You complete the form in your home council. So you need to find out which council you live in. waste bins are different in both so you should be able to tell from that.
You will need to look at the information on the school and look at how places are allocated to work out if you are likely to get a place. You are looking at 3 popular oversubscribed schools. You also do need to visit them just because local grape vine says things about a school doesn't mean you will think the same. The school needs to be the right school for your child. I didn't like the most popular school in the area when it was our time to choose so we chose a different one and it is the best thing we ever did.

Thank you both for your advice. Really helpful. I will start by seeing which council we come under then take it from there. We just relocated here from London 2 years ago and have only just settled in our own home - was renting - so not too familiar with the system. We always planned to go look at schools as when we picked DS' nursery, the one with the upstanding ofsted was awful, so I know how important it is to get a feel. I will know when he see the right place, but will be gutted if he doesn't get in. This seems to be the only down side of living here.

As others have said you get 3 "choices" and your form goes to your own council (best to do online) but it doesn't matter whether you/ the school are in Bristol or S Glos. If it comes down to distance then it is literally just your house to the school and boundary lines don't come into it (though you'll probably need to double check the admission criteria for each school just to be sure).

You can download a copy of the admissions booklets for Sept 2013 from the council websites, when they become available (probably at the beginning of September). They prefer you to apply on-line and the deadline is January 2013 for primary schools. There is no advantage in applying early! Schools in this area do not have catchment areas so usually it is the home-school distance that is important. I would also check the entry criteria for the Catholic school as they may require baptism and/or attendance at mass and there may be an additional form about this.
As people have said you apply to the council where you live and pay council tax. On the form you list the name of the school and the LEA and your details will be passed on to the other LEA for consideration. Most of the admissions criteria are similar but I think there may be differences in the sibling links for Bristol and South Glos schools, which is relevant if you have other dcs and needs to be checked.