Moving to Cambridge, applying to schools ... Advice needed!

[CountryPlumpkin]

Hi. My DH recently got a job in Cambridge starting later this year. We are looking at independent schools for our two kids for Sept 2015 when they will be starting Yr 2 and reception.

Having looked round a couple, my preference so far is for Kings College or the Perse - can anyone help me with their (recent) experiences of going through the admissions process for either of these two?

Does it matter if you apply to more than one school? As we are applying quite late in the day for entry into reception, DH and I haven't been able to both visit both schools during term time and therefore make a firm decision yet. I'm a bit nervous about it all and would really appreciate any experiences you might have, good or bad or whatever!

Thanks x

Hi, our DS will be entering reception at King's this September so have quite recently gone through the admission process. We registered our interest for a place about two years ago (and I believe at this point you have to pay an application fee of £100ish), and last September (so one year before entry year) our son was invited along to spend an hour at the school interacting with the Teachers and other children. Shortly after that we received a formal offer of a place. So you would need to confirm with the school relatively quickly (they break up next week) if you would like to be considered for the 2015 intake. However, that's not to say that you will 'miss the boat' if you apply after this time as there are always children who receive offers but who don't accept as they take up a place at a different school. As far as I know it doesn't matter if you apply to more than one school but you will be asked during the application process if you have applied to another school.

We didn't apply to the Perse but I believe that most children actually start in the Nursery year, and there are fewer admission places in reception. In which case I would definitely contact them ASAP to be considered and to find out whether they have a waiting list. I also understand that the Perse is academically selective and the admissions process may therefore differ from King's quite a bit.

Hope that's helped a little - we're still very new to it all so there may be other with more experience who can offer more advice. Good luck!

Thanks Tweetinat it's great to hear from someone else who has been through it recently. We have registered at both schools and have heard back from both with details about visits in September - I'm trying not to get too freaked out. I hope she just has a nice time at the schools playing and chatting and I hope I manage to stay cool and calm!