In year admissions dilemmas

[Vajazzler]

Hi there, i hope someone can give me some advice as i think my head is about to explode! So, the story goes like this......

Next month our family is moving from hertfordshire to walsall. I have 4 primary aged children in reception and yrs 1,3&4.

We have secured tenancy on a home and are now looking for a school for the children.

My first issue is that as i have 4 children it would seem that only one school a mile away has enough space. The other local schools have space for maybe 1 or 2 children but not all of them. Do i just go with the school with space? Or can i get the younger ones in and then appeal for the older ones to be accepted. Someone told me that juniors can have 32 in a class. Is this right?

The second issue i have is that a big % of the schools in walsall are separate infant and junior schools. I have no experience of separate schools for juniors and infants and so far can only find downsides to the arrangement!

Can someone one offer opinions on either of these issues please!

Lots of schools in Norfolk are separate infants/junior, the system seems to work well here.

Don't know anything about admissions, good luck!

You certainly could get the younger children into a school and then appeal for your older children to go to the same school. There is no legal limit on the size of classes in juniors so appeals are easier to win but there is no guarantee. You would need to make a good case as to why this is the right school for your children. The fact that it would be easier for you if they are all at the same school would not help you win your appeal. It would need to be about your children's needs.