Late enrollement for state schools

[rebeccapm]

We are moving to London this summer from Paris. [I am American, DH is French, children are bilingual.] We are not after a place at the bilingual/ French schools at the moment, as prices are so high. Looking to get into a good state school [Belmont in Chiswick or Belleville in Clapham]- western/ southwest London. I've called one of the Boroughs on the phone, and was told that I could apply for a place before the end of the school year/ late July. What I'm wondering is, is there any possible way that we'll get into one of our listed schools? I realize that places have been attributed in April- but are there drop outs, are there extra places held or anything that would give us a shot?

I have a huge fear of finding a new home close to our preferred school, thinking that we have a shot, then only getting accepted to another school with a long commute! [At which point, we could've lived closer to said school in the first place!] It seems like such a "chicken and egg" dilemma- which comes first- school or house?

You can apply once you have your UK address, and will be allocated a place according to how well you fit the entrance criteria. No places are held back, and any vacancies that come up are offered to whoever is at the top of the waiting list at the time. So you need to be on that waiting list.

There is likely to be movement in September, when they see who actually shows up. And also in London there are a lot of people moving in and out, so places do come up though perhaps not tidily when you want them.

Schools are based on catchment so where you live comes first . They wont be keeping places available in case someone like you comes along . I would ring the schools you are interested in and ask if there have any places, or a waiting list. How old are the children? People do move all the time so places may come up in older years. There is an oversubscribed school in the next town to us, and whilst you can only get siblings in usually, some people have moved their children in year 8 and 9 and subsequent children have got in as siblings.

I live in hounslow belmont has a tiny catchment area i think its around 0.3m think you would have to speak to the council to see if their was any movement on the waiting lists as that is the most popular school in chiswick and i doubt that their would be much. Thats one of the top schools in the country doubt anyone is going to reject their place. You would have to live on the door step inorder to get a place off the waiting list. Their are others in chiswick which are also very good like strand on the green and others but can see your only interested in the best primary schools good luck but like i said speak to council and when you come put them onthe waiting list good luck

You don't say the age of your child. Reception places have been allocated for next yr so you will be looking to be high on a waiting list and hoping for some no shows. If its an older yr you may have to wait until a child leaves (again need to be high on the list, but there will be fewer on the list in the higher yrs).

No places are held back but the council do have to provide a school place within about a month. It may not be one you like though. Unless you are forces or diplomatic staff I think you need an address before you can apply for a place.

You have to apply from a local address so you 'll have to decide that first . Do you only have 1 school age child who would be Reception age (turning 5 before end August 2014) , for an older child you are looking at In year admissions .

Dont think their will be many properties available near the very popular schools as soo many parents will be moving in catchment to get their children into the school unless your buying.

This is all so frustrating! And not at all the same case in Paris ;(

My DDs are 4 1/2 [reception] and 8 [year 4]....doesn't sound good at all. Anxiety levels are high- going next weekend to find a place and will apply for the girls as soon as we have all paperwork completed. I did speak to the Council at one point, and the woman on the phone mentioned that the girls may have to wait until the first 2 weeks of school are over, and everyone has moved around, and then they might get a place? I find this terrible- moving to a new country, and being the new kid, and then also the LATE new kid? Kids make friends quickly, but I'm sure a lot of that pairing up happens in the first 2 weeks.....Argh!

it might all work out better than you hope, try not to worry too much anyway, you can only do your best, and the woman on the phone was perhaps pointing out the worst case scenario.

Your year 4 would already be among a minority joining. Reception friendships are pretty fluid and most schools don't take them full time initially - some will do am's , some pm's then gradualy stay for lunch - so it could be half term before the class group and routine is established.

Stop panicking!
Kids do not change school every year, and starting at the beginning of September or two weeks in will make no difference in year 4. In fact it may be better, as the initial chaos of a new teacher will have sorted out, and they will be ready to welcome a new face. For Reception I know it will very soon be totally forgotten that a child started late, children at that age do not form firm friendship and quickly forget. (I remember some children who joined late in my DCs classes, they would be totally surprised in most cases, if I reminded them.). For the first few weeks they are often on a part-time timetable, and I have known a school where the whole class doesn't meet until after a month.

Also I help in a school where children join all the time. When I go in on a Wednesday the children just introduce me, or excitedly tell me about "Anna who is good at reading" or "Abdul who doesn't speak English yet, but is good at football".

I know its not ideal, but your children really will adapt quickly and settle well.

Whilst I appreciate it must seem frustrating to you, I'm sure if you think about it you will also appreciate that there are families who have been living 400metres from those schools for five years who are frustrated that their reception age child has also been unable to get a place simply because more children live slightly closer. Good state schools in London are oversubscribed. There is no magic way around this for people moving into an area (from overseas or the neighbouring borough), no extra places held just for you. That is one of the reasons why people who move into London from overseas do find themselves going private to start with until a state school place comes up.

I am living abroad at the moment and looking for a school place for my son in London starting in September. I have been told by the local authority that I have to have and address and my child has to be available to take up the offered place in 10 days. Schools are looking to keep their classes full so they won't consider a September starter till later on in the summer term.

Don't worry hopefully will work out sonetimes need to take a chance and be patient and things will work out even if it takes some time. The problem is too many lovely kids baby boom. Hounslow are expanding schools to add more classes and are also adding bulk classes. This is happening all over london baby boom so schools that were easier to get into years ago are difficult to get into now but what you can do is find a property really close to a school that you want and wait it out on the waiting list and accept what the council give you in the time being until you get a place. Good luck