when do i need to get on prefered school list?

[scotara]

child is due and we havw a great school near to us and want child to go to this school. when - how do we go about making sure child gets a place in the school. am far to early? or do we need to get in and let school/la know?
cheers

If it's a state school, I'm afraid it doesn't work like that - you don't get guaranteed a place just because you apply early.

Look on your LA's website for Primary Admissions & you should find an explanation of how the system works, what e criteria for admission are and when you should apply.

State school - not for ages - you send in a form to the LEA the academic year before the year your child turns 5. But in the meantime, move as close as you possibly can to the school. If it's a chuch school, start going to the appropriate chirch now, and make sure you keep goig, and get your child christened befopre they are 1.

If it's a private school, then make sure that either you or dp went to it, your child's name was down before it was born or you have mega bucks to endow a swimming pool.

I agree with all the advice given above.

If it is a state school then find out about their Published admission number (PAN - how many children get admitted in a year group) and also phone and ask about catchment distance area - may be better to wait until nearer the time as this can change from year to year. This year our number 1 choice catchment went from 0.4 miles to 0.18 miles!

Also, before you start spending money on moving house then do go and actually look round the school, and other local ones. Ofsted reporst and league tables are no guarantee of the school being right for you and your child. Again, I would leave this until you have at least had the baby. Good idea to attend fetes/christmas fayres etc etc also to get a feel for the school. Some schools also have open days.

Congratulations on bump/baby to be.

And remember that a school can change a lot in 5 years - and the local perception of a school can change even quicker. You may find yourself living next door to a school that has suddenly and unaccountably dropped out of favour!