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Original poster

Primary school application angst - support thread?

126 replies

Lozario · 01/01/2013 21:40

So I'm lying here attempting to have an early night as can hardly sleep for worrying about our primary school application for DS1. But of course I can't sleep. Again Sad

We live in a borough of south London where small children seem to outnumber adults about 20 to 1. Found out last year that we might no longer live close enough to our closest primary school - a 3 form entry approx 580 metres away. All other schools are a drive away. It's going on our list as number 1 but looking unlikely.

DH is one of those lucky people who can tell himself "you have no control over this, worrying won't achieve anything, so don't worry and see what happens". I am not one of those people; am self-confessed control freak and struggling with the basic concept of my PFB starting school in Sept at all, let alone which school it might be!

April seems a long way away, especially if I don't sleep between now and then, and so I wondered if there are any other insomniac mums out there with kids (supposedly) starting primary in Sept 2013 who might like to join me in a virtual Wine or Brew ??? DH is sick of my constant anxiety!!!

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FrankWippery · 01/01/2013 21:45

Checking in. I wonder if I am in the same Borough as you Loazario, it sounds rather similar numbers wise.

I've just done my final submission this afternoon. This is for my youngest DD, but I have had three DC go through primary in this borough, although the set up was rather less stressful then (they are now 19, 18 and 16).

I've bitten the bullet and put a new free school as my first option, and another one as my fourth. As I no longer live on the chimney stack of what is probably the hardest school to get into around here, I suspect I will hear the snorts of derision when they read my application at the Council offices Grin

Wine definitely needed.

FrankWippery · 01/01/2013 21:46

Sorry, Lozario; Just seen I spelled your name wrong.

Goldchilled7up · 01/01/2013 21:48

I'm in the same position and very stressed about it Confused

greensnail · 01/01/2013 21:55

Checking in, although I'm a bit of a fraud. Have applied to our nearest school which is always undersubscribed so am pretty much guaranteed a place there. Still feeling anxious that I've made the wrong choice and should have put our second closest (ofsted outstanding) as 1st choice instead. It's so hard to know what is the best thing to do although I know I'm lucky to actually have the choice.

Original poster
Lozario · 01/01/2013 21:56

It's awful isn't it Hmm and the catchment areas keep shrinking - am trying to tell myself they have to stop shrinking at some stage, otherwise 90 kids would live next door to the school!? I actually don't know if we're in with a chance for any on our list.

Let me top you all up WineWineWine

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FrankWippery · 01/01/2013 21:59

I have my choices in an order, but tbh I would not be disappointed with any of them. I am very lucky that my 6 nearest schools are good (2) or outstanding (2), with the remaining two being new schools. One of the new ones is attached to a very (the only very IMO) good secondary.

Original poster
Lozario · 01/01/2013 22:00

greensnail it's not just about catchment woes so don't feel a fraud! The choice order is hard, I know people who are basically tossing a coin between 1 and 2 as they can't decide. All we want really was a reasonable school within walking distance. Sounds easy doesn't it... Sad

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Original poster
Lozario · 01/01/2013 22:02

frank we are definitely in same borough I think - that new all-through school is on our list too! Nothing to judge it on obv but imagine not having to go through all this again when the DC are 11?!

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FrankWippery · 01/01/2013 22:02

When my older three went to their primary school (think Northcote area), the catchment was about 800m. I'm pretty sure it's now down to about 200 at a push. The benefit of the school being so popular in the late nineties is that the one a few blocks down then shot up in results etc and, I think, now outperforms the other. I may be wrong there, but it's bloody close.

FrankWippery · 01/01/2013 22:04

Ha! I knew we were. I've also put her down for the new one just round the corner from Argos/Tesco petrol station. It's got the go ahead and will be in the old youth court.

Original poster
Lozario · 01/01/2013 22:14

When we went on open days, people who lived MILES away came to check out the popular schools. People asked the Head where the catchment line was measured from; he said a tree in the playground. One woman asked WHICH TREE. I think everyone then went home and on to google maps and got depressed.

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greensnail · 01/01/2013 22:22

Sounds hideous, it's terrible that people aren't able to get their children into a decent local school.

Am really lucky with ours, just need to remind myself to ignore the bad reputation based on what the school was like 10 years ago and remember all the reasons we chose it over the naice school down the hill.

FrankWippery · 01/01/2013 22:26

Oh my goodness that is bloody ridiculous.

Yorkstar · 01/01/2013 22:34

I'm stressing too. Can I join?
I put our application in about 10 days ago and did not put catchment school in top 4. This is the biggest decision I am making so far regarding ds's future but i still dont kbow what is the right decision. I can't believe I have to wait until April. I'm going to be a nervous wreck too. PFB as you can probably tell :)

Pyrrah · 01/01/2013 23:38

I've filled in the form, but am looking round another school next week so will press the button once I've seen it.

Our nearest school is a CofE and we don't have a hope as we're atheists, next nearest is my second choice and I'm hoping we are close enough (just inside furthest distance last year) as it's my non-dead cert 'dead-cert'. It's got an Outstanding OFSTED and I've heard lots of good things, but have been to look round twice and wasn't that keen (no idea why, just a general meh).

My first choice, we are not within the furthest distance by quite a stretch, but they do have high mobility plus I hear they are taking a bulge reception class this year, so I'm hoping to get a waiting list place - although will likely be after term starts in September.

My anxiety will be waiting for that - and hoping a place comes up early on so she's not swapping schools mid-way through the year.

Original poster
Lozario · 02/01/2013 09:36

Pyrrah I expect we'll go on the waiting list too for number 1 choice. The thought of the worry going on for most of 2013 is a worry in itself isn't it.

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admission · 02/01/2013 10:56

A tree in the playground!
I would be very surprised if any catchment or distance was measured from a tree but then again, admission appeals continue to amaze me with new quirks that come out every year in admission criteria or reasons for needing a specific school from parents.

MarthasHarbour · 02/01/2013 13:18

Checking in - we submitted ours at 8pm on NYE after a fraught few weeks. We are in the process of moving house and have just completed in time.

We have taken the risk of going for the slightly out of catchment as choice 1 and catchment as choice 2. (Although choice 1 is actually nearer to our house than the catchment school Confused)

We then put down our old catchment which we know really well as choice 3 with two other randoms as choices 4 and 5. We wanted to make sure we had a decent school by putting all five choices down.

I think we prob wont get choice 1 but both felt that we had to do it as we would have always thought 'what if'. We really want choices 1 or 2 but would be happy with choices 3-5

We live in a really good schools borough of the NW so are in the fortunate position of being spoilt for choice.

I still wont sleep until April though Grin

MarthasHarbour · 02/01/2013 13:20

That is 'the' North West of the country - and not NW London! Grin

fairydustallover · 02/01/2013 15:25

oooh me! me! I can't stop thinking about it even though I did the application in November. I've put 4 schools down and keep thinking I should put a fifth but there isn't a fifth that I like or is close enough Confused

fairydustallover · 02/01/2013 15:26

I am in Greater Manchester by the way

Tw1nkle · 02/01/2013 15:38

Can I join you?!?!
I'm so nervous!
Local catchment school is having to up it's intake to 60 to try and accomodate all the kiddies! Fingers crossed for my DD - I really want our local school!

MarthasHarbour · 02/01/2013 19:58

Fairydust that is my area too, our council is the same name as the famous football ground Wink so if that is your vicinity you should be fine as all the schools in that area are fab.

MarthasHarbour · 02/01/2013 19:59

oo that is good news (hopefully) twinkle FX

fairydustallover · 02/01/2013 20:27

Martha, no, other side in Saddleworth

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