Moving from NYC

[MoveMum]

Hi there,

Moving back to London after a long stint. Have been scarred by our own admissions process here in NYC, so am trying to be organised about places for the kids there. Looking at Richmond-on-Thames, (independent? state?).

Kids are:
Girl: turning 5 in September 2011
Boy: turning 3 December 2011.

Any helpful advice is greatly appreciated. Do we have any hope of getting into an independent school? Or is it a write-off because I haven't had their names down since birth?

Do the state schools really send you anywhere in the local authority that has a place? or even out of the local authority??

Thanks so much!
Clueless MoveMum

unfortunately your dd will be going into reception, which is one of the pinch points for any school.

you've missed the application date for state schools and so will be offered a place at an undersubscribed school - the reasons for it being undersubscribed could be varied! but it probably won't be your first choice, or the school nearest your house

You have also missed the cut-off date for independent schools as they will have already allocated their places so again you'll probably have to go on the waiting list of your preferred schools

However, all is not lost! as there is a lot of movement in London - it's a very transitory population so you could be lucky and find a place come up part way through the year.

Make sure you get your ds' application in for reception on time as you may then be able to get your dd into the same school as a sibling

Good luck - we did the same move a few years back and the whole schools thing is very stressful

Moving out of normal transfer time can be good news if you are looking for a private school. Many people put in applications for multiple schools but of course a child can only actually go to one. Therefore once places are allocated spaces appear. You also do not need a local address to apply, so you could approach schools now even though you are overseas.

For state schools you do need a local address before you can apply, so expect some nail biting.

Thanks so much! Any recommendations on good independents in that area?

should also add that the place would be for sept 2012 school year, so it appears that we seem to miss the normal intake year as well....

Most areas would have a waiting list and so you would be best trying to apply now directly to the school you want to go to and ask to be put on the waiting list rather than applying to the LEA for state schools and apply to be put on waiting lists for independent. It is very different from the NY system much easier. Not sure about Richmond but have had lots of experience of Weybridge which is a similar area.