Catchment areas

[Mummmmyof2x]

so, DS is 4 this November. Meaning primary school next September

we have time but basically we can’t move. I am part time and to move to where we want the houses are more expensive so I should be on a full time wage (we have a younger child too so I look after our kids on my day off no family can help)

however , I really want the kids to go to the nice primary school which isn’t too far (just under 2 miles) but we are just outside of catchment :(

the closest one to us which we’d be in catchment for , all of our neighbours say don’t send your kids if you can!!! Everyone’s saying the new HT has got it downhill which worries me as we can’t move and get closer to the school we want for the kids

I checked this schools stats and they usually get 120-130 applicants and have 65 spaces. Last on priority list is kids outside of the catchment area and the years a few were accepted they were like 0.2 miles or so closer than us

So I’m just in a situation of is there a chance he’d get in or will I have to try and move asap lol which is near impossible?

he goes to private nursery but if I applied for their school nursery and popped him in there would that improve chance? This is all new to me

Someone said start the kids by us then when we can move change them but this worries me as it can upset and unsettle kids moving schools :(

Going to the school nursery has no bearing on reception place allocations. It.sounds like your only hope of getting into your preferred school is to move closer to it.

If you can't move yet, I wouldn't be overly worried about potentially changing schools down the line. While they're little they tend to adapt really quickly. However bear in mind that the school could well have a waiting list for in-year admissions so even if you move into catchment later there's no guarantee of a place coming up.

But on the other hand you might find that you're happier than you expect with the local school. And there's a lot to be said for being able to walk, making local friends, not sitting in traffic twice a day.

Going to the school nursery won’t bump up your application - a policy like they is unfair on groups like working parents who need longer hours.

It sounds unlikely that your get a place from your current address but look at the stats over a few years as sometimes one year will be an anomaly because of lots of siblings or whatever. If the last admitted child figure is going down every year then I’d assume it will be harder to get a place next year. Do you live in an urban area where people come and go a lot? Starting at the new school but remaining on the waiting list of your preferred school might be the smartest move if you can’t move.

Have you checked the stats for last distance admitted in past few years. Catchment may not be decisive.

sorry ignore, I see you have already! Nursery will not improve chances.

@Mummmmyof2x Are your neighbours accurate? How are they judging “downhill”? It must be taking dc who have applied for the other school but don’t get in. Is this annoyance that is driving the comments? Often new heads bring about change and often people don’t like change. I would look at performance data about the school. I would also read their newsletters and see what really happens there. You might even be able to ask for a snapshot of their improvement plan. What are they working on to improve?

Obviously go and visit. However also pop along and see how happy dc are when they come out of school. Are they generally happy dc?

Joining a nursery doesn’t count regarding YR admissions. It’s completely separate. You might well find you don’t get your preferred school but you can still apply. Might be a lower birth rate in your year! However do apply for the other school - it’s 18 months away and lots of change can happen in that time.