Primary school applications!

[mewmeow]

Hey, hope I'm posting the right place. I'm so confused about primary school applications. It's driving me mad, I'm so worried that I'll miss deadlines for applications etc. my dd was three in August, so this September will be the September before she is four, which, a local primary school informed me, is when you need to start making applications. They suggested that the council will send round an application form where you state your three top choices and they will allocate accordingly. Does anyone know if this is generally the case? I don't need to ring schools individually or visit for open days prior to this? It's important to us as we don't drive so worst case scenarios is half hour/ hour bus rides etc, which ideally I'd feel more comfortable avoiding (mainly so id be in a closer proximity in case of emergency etc). Do the (dare I say it) academy schools also follow this principal? Also is it actual school she would be starting at 4? Or preschool (which she already does two afternoons a week), but I'd rather settle her where I knew she would be, hopefully, for the entirety of primary school. Feel like a div not knowing this, but Internet research has proved pretty fruitless and I'm in a bit of tiz. Anyone with any advice would be much appreciated!

The information from the school sounds pretty good. Assuming you are in England, your DD will be starting actual school in Sept 2014 in a reception class. Reception classes follow the same sort of learning as her nursery/preschool, so quite informal learning through play, before they move into Year 1 at the school.

If I were you I would check your local council's website for schools admissions information - and give them a call if you have any questions or if you need to check that they have your details and will be sending you a form.

Then I would call around any schools that you might be interested in your DD attending and ask about when their open days are. Some schools might have held their open days last term, but they will usually be happy to make an appointment with you to look around.

The admissions pack that the council sends you should give you all the information about catchment areas and admissions criteria for all the schools in your area - so you can make an informed judgement about your preferences. It will also tell you the deadline by which you have to return the forms and the timetable for when you find out what place your DD has been allocated and how to appeal (if you need to). Some councils let you apply online - but the info will be in the pack.

Good luck.

I got the letter for ds2 last week, I submitted the application online but I only put one choice as he goes to the school nursery and his brother goes there, its not our catchment school but not much further away but there's not a place shortage round here so should be ok.

Just be aware, not all councils and out a pack, so if you don't review anything soon then I would check whether yours does or not.

I would ring your local council as ours don't send anything out at all. They put posters up in GP's, post offices, dentists etc. Our council has had the online admissions open from 1st September and they close on 15th January for admission next September.

Ring the council to check if they send a pack and application form (many councils don't send anything and people miss the deadline through not knowing about it).

Check the council website for details of each school and the admissions for each. If you live in an oversubscribed area, then check the 'last distance offered' against your distance from the school - check if it's 'as the crow flies' or walking route distance.

If the last distance offered was 300m this year and you live 800m away then you are unlikely to get a place next year.

Use all your choices - even if you have a sibling at a school, you only need a few sets of twins or a previous bulge class and you can end up with siblings who don't even get a place.

Ring the schools to enquire about looking round.

Even if you hate your nearest 'dead cert' school, put it down as better a school you hate on your doorstep than one you hate on the other side of town. You can always go on waiting lists.

Places are allocated by a computer - just listing one choice, or the same choice multiple times, or a school for which you cannot possibly fulfil the requirements for will not get you that place - you will just have no place and thus whatever the council has left over.

Put schools in order of which you like best. It only counts if you get more than one offer - in which case the council gives you your highest preference of the offers. The schools can't chose to offer places to those who list them first or anything of that sort.

For faith schools, make sure that you get any supplementary forms filled in (ie church stuff).

Thanks for the replies everyone, massive help :) !
Internet application all done and dusted now, so fingers crossed, will be happy with any of three we chose.
Very at the council though! The Internet says "you may receive a pack in the post" (but don't bank on it basically). If we'd waited for that and it had never come we'd probably be plumped with something miles away. I know they know our address because we constantly get benefit amendments and council tax bills. I think it's a bit of an unfair system as people not in the know, or who have a lot going on wouldn't know to apply .
But thanks for your help everyone!

You have plenty of time yet to look at schools, and to find out what your options are. Don't panic! There is no benefit to applying early; just make sure you are not late. In some areas the deadline is very early in January, so find out the date and stick it on your calendar or fridge.

All the schools in our area held open days in the autumn. This is a good time to visit as there will be other parents in the same situation as you, and they may ask some questions that didn't occur to you. This dates are usually on the school websites, or just phone up the schools you are interested in visiting and ask if they are having open days.

DH and I visited seven schools in total, which seems ridiculous, but we live in an area with infant/junior and primary schools, so wanted to consider the range of options. We could have got into all these schools (except one, and the two juniors of course) on distance, so the order of our preference would have been relevant.

You should also bear in mind that distance is only one of the criteria, so if you are looking at faith schools, or your child has particular needs (social/medical), make sure you allow yourself enough time to get the supporting information ready. Your local council can tell you what the admission criteria is for each school (or you can find it on their website).

Finally, look carefully at how to get to the schools in your area, since you don't have a car. I hadn't passed my driving test when we applied but I knew worst case scenario I knew I could get to our first-choice school on one bus.

If you still find yourself confused once you have the info through from the council, there are lots of people on here who will help you to decipher things!

Oops, too slow posting! Well done OP - took me ages to make my mind up!!

Cheers sparrow! Still good information as I will definitely be visiting the open days- to get a feel of the places we've chosen.
guess we're quite lucky living close to city centre that there are a few decent ones around.
First one is a c of e, but doubtful we'll get this one, as I know places are reserved for people currently attending services regularly (rightly so). We're not technically a religious family (more agnostic) but bring our daughter up with an ethos associated with many religions. Second one is an art academy (very close by- and small classes), know the head already etc. Third one is relatively close and has an outstanding ofsted report, also in an area where we have a lot of friend. All schools are less than a mile away. So we'll be very happy with any of the three may be posting again though in a panic if she doesn't get in to any of them......