Moving back from abroad and missed secondary school deadlines

[likepeddlesonabeach]

Hello,

We’re unexpectedly returning to the UK after 4 years abroad and I haven’t applied to any secondary schools for my 2010 born DS. He’s currently in an independent school in Ireland, where they stay in primary until age 12. Before this he was in a state primary here in London, he’s quite bright (but not super academic) and hasn’t been tutored. He’ll have been following a slightly different curriculum to his UK peers and doing Spanish as a 2nd language.

We would consider either independent and state schools and have another son two years younger who is mildly dyslexic (but doing very well). I think I can get a school place for my younger child at our previous London school but am worried about my eldest.

Can anyone suggest some in west London that might have a place at such short notice? We have a house in isleworth but would move if we needed to.

You're not too late to apply to state schools. Late applicants go on the waiting list along with everyone else who didn't get a place at their preferred school. There's always lots of churn on the waiting lists between march and september.

If you're able to move quickly and can afford it, moving closer to your preferred school will probably increase your chances, though it depends on the admissions policy (which will be on each school website).

You can put 6 schools on your form, in order of preference. Depending on where you are in Isleworth, you might get a place at Orleans Park, Richmond upon Thames School or Twickenham School. If you are a churchgoer you might be interested in Christs or St Richard Reynolds, or The Green Schools in Hounslow.

You haven’t said when in 2010 he was born. Is he currently year 6 equivalent or year 7?

He was born in September so would be current year 6 in the UK. In Ireland he's in 5th class and would have another full year of primary school. We are wondering if we should let him finish another year there and try to get him a place at year 8 but I'm worried about another year in a different system.