In-year application. No schools for September 4th

[SophieWB]

Hello,
I am arriving to Cambridge (from France) with my 3 kids on August 10th. I have just sent in-year application forms (as it took a long time to get our tenancy agreement). But the admission office has answered me that my children may have no place for September 4th if they can not contact schools during the summer time. We may have to wait 8th. I am very disappointed because it will be very difficult for my children to miss the first days. They do not speak very well English (as me ;-), they know nobody...I respected the catchment area for the school choices (Parkside college (year7) and Newnham primary school (Year 4)). I also put faith schools (Saint Bede's and Saint Alban roman schools). Has someone been in a similar situation ? could someone advice me ? Many thanks.

I can't help very much, but have you spoken to the schools? They won't be able to confirm places, but they may be able to tell you themselves whether they are likely to have spaces in the year groups you have applied to.

Today is the last day of term, so you might want to try and contact the schools today, and you may be able to get an idea of which school places you are likely to be allocated. However you will still need to wait for the Council to confirm this.

Also I'd like to reassure you that plenty of children join Cambridge schools after the start of term, often with English as a second language, and they should settle in just fine, even if they miss a few days at the start.

Parkside is likely to be full for yr 7, as it's usually oversubscribed, sorry. I suspect St Bede's will be as well.

You are right. Miss the first days is not so important. But, it should be more difficult for us if my children are far from home. My husband and I will working. And I can not let them coming back alone from school as they don't speak very well English. That why I selected the schools of the catchment area. But if Parkside or St Bede's are full...??? I sent an email to the schools last week but none answered me. Do you really think they can offer places far from my home ?

You can get your children on the waiting lists for both schools, and if you will be living nearby you will be high priority if anyone moves away. It's tricky, though, as you will be working and would not be able to educate them at home while you wait for a place.

Could you afford a private school for a term or two? There is an International School based jointly in Abington and Cambridge?

I tried to get my son into Newnham Croft for year 4 last year but we weren't successful. They don't look until the final week of the holidays as many schools don't know if pupils aren't coming back from then.

Try Fawcett for year 4 & keep trying with the LEA. Cambridge has a very transient population & many families leave mid term. I'm holding out for a reception place at Newnham croft too. I live in Newnham and was given Barton Primary school (Newnham is oversubscribed this year) - they are likely to have places in year 4. It's a ten minute car journey from Newnham.

If you look at Barton for your year 4 child you could also try Comberton for your older child. If you're in Newnham area then it would be a car journey though you'd be going in the right direction for both schools - but they might have places.

It might be worth sending the schools an email saying you've contacted the LEA but just wanted to introduce yourself.

There's a school called Heritage which has more reasonable school fees if you want to consider private - but I do think you'll get a state place.

By the way - I'm in Newnham - if you need to talk to someone when you arrive then feel free to contact me via this page.

I looked international schools. but they are too expensive. Barton and Comberton could be a good option. But I did not put those schools as preference choices in the application form as they are not in our catchment area. So how can I do now to add those schools in our list ?

Don't worry too much about your option list - email the LEA and ask - I think they'd just be happy a school to be available TBH.

I know someone who didn't want the option given to them by the LEA so phoned other schools directly (Barton) & got a place confirmed & then went back to the LEA.

You could email Barton - they've broken up but they might still be picking up emails. Barton had a poor Ofsted in March but a new head is starting in September & lots of changes have been put in place to address any issues. It's a small village school - only 107 pupils. Comberton is an academy - you could contact them directly and tell them what's happening - they've got some of the best results in the county.

Yes, Comberton might have some spaces for Year 7 now (it usually doesn't, but the new Cambourne secondary school nearby has removed some of the usual pressure on places). Good luck!

Thank you very much for your help. I have just sent an email to Comberton and Barton. Even if Barton had a bad Ofsted, it could be a good idea for my daughter to vein a small school as she doesn't speak English very well for the moment. I tell you as soon as I have some news. I will be also in Newnham. So thank you very much LocalEditor...I will surely contact you.

My dc are at Comberton, and lots of their friends live in Newnham - it's not the catchment school for Newnham but it is popular amongst Newnham parents because of (relative) proximity. It's a great school, and my (very different) dc have been very well supported there.

As Tingalingle says, it used to be oversubscribed but now has more places because of the new school at Cambourne, so definitely worth trying for a place there if it fits in with you geographically.

Good luck with your move.

I would say that a small school is not always a good thing for someone who doesn't speak much english -what matters is that they can deal with it - a Cambridge schools are in general used to childre nstarting which out much english and not starting at the usual time.

Comberton seems to be a very good option (very convenient from Newnham). I really hope they will answer me. About Barton Northofcambridge should be right. Cambridge primary schools might be certainly more adapted to foreign children. I found a place for my youngest boy in Newnham nursery - therefore Newnham primary school would be perfect. But I am afraid they might have no place. It is a pity because it is at 5 mn from home.

Great - I'm around all summer & have 3 DCs too so your children can come and play. I know a bi-lingual family (French & English) in Newnham too.

Send me a personal message via this website or email me at [email protected] when you arrive.

Good luck with the packing.

Thank you very much LocalEditor. We will arrive on August 9th or 11th. It depends of the removers. I will email you as soon as we arrive. My children will be very happy to have friends near home.
And thank you for your help.