Yr 5 Primary School places - South Croydon / Selsdon

[happymummy2010]

Does anyone have any idea of what the likelihood of getting a yr 5 place in a primary school from Sept in South Croydon is and if so, which ones are likely to have a space ?

I'm thinking of moving my DS from his current school. I understand the process is to complete the inter year transfer form but I'm not sure what happens next.. Will the council give me details of which schools have spaces ? Will I have the opportunity to go and visit the school and meet the head teacher before I accept a place ?

My son had SN and I would like to talk to the school(s) before accepting a place, to ensure they are aware of his needs and to ensure they would be happy to support him.

Is it worth contacting some schools to arrange a visit before I fill in the transfer form ? The only problem then would be that I don't know if there are spaces at the schools I contact.

I would be very grateful for any advice.

I seem to recall space on the form to outline SN and I think schools would have to offer a place to your DS regardless of SN if he was first on the waiting list. We phoned round schools first to get an idea of waiting lists and because some lists were so long - and new arrivals to the list could jump in before you if they live nearer the school - we decided against some. Others had a place, though this was rare, but by the time the form gets processed, the place may have gone. Croydon was really full up in all year groups when we applied a year ago. Since then we've had 2 offers, so lists do move. The form allows you to put six schools down in order of preference. Some schools allowed a visit, others didn't, unless an offer was made, leaving you just a bit of time to make a decision. Church schools ask for the priest's reference and all that sort of thing, just as if you we're applying for a Reception place, really. Good luck, have my sympathy as secondary school choices are just round the corner - if you're thinking of Riddlesdown as you mentioned S Croydon, it has feeder primary schools.

Thanks for the info.. Very useful. I am thinking Riddlesdown for senior school, but I have heard rumours they are changing the system for secondary schools admissions and that there will no longer be feeder schools.

I've searched the web and can't find anything to confirm this.. have you (or anyone else !) heard about this ?

I thought they were keeping the feeder school criteria and adding a sibling one if you live within 2 miles and sibling already attends. It might be on www.riddlesdown.org under admissions. The primary schools will know or you could phone Riddlesdown. Good luck with it all.

The 2014-15 admissions criteria retains the unfair feeder school criteria but adds a sibling one.

Does anyone know whether Selsdon Primary school will remain a feeder school for Riddlesdown ? A local estate agent told me that it was going to become a feeder school for Quest.
Not sure whether this is correct.

Is is still listed as a feeder school for the 14-15 admissions criteria.