Choosing a primary school

[Elenamuntean]

Hi, the closest school to my address is not necessary a good school - how can I avoid my child to go there?

You apply to a different school as first preference, and list your closest one as a back up.

But I think if your child is due to start this year (ie they'll be 4 by the end of August) then you've missed the deadline for this year, so will need to contact the council and ask where there are still spaces, or go on the waiting list for the ones you like better.

You can approach any school directly and ask to look round.

I would second the advice to visit the school(s)- sometimes schools which are 'outstanding' on paper can be awful in reality, and vice versa.

Definitely visit school and soak up the atmosphere to get a feeling for the place Outstanding schools are not always the happiest and you might find you prefer the feeling you get from the lesser-ofsteded one.