Come and talk to me about catchment areas! Nonsuch Primary anyone?

[ziggiestardust]

Namely in Epsom. I want to get DS into Nonsuch Primary in Epsom. I will be moving to a house on the same street, which google maps says is 300m away. But a friend who lives on the same street, says people living closer have been turned away

Have I completely wasted all my time, money and effort to try and get my DS into this school?

Effective catchment (e.g. furthest someone was admitted by distance criteria, which I'm assuming you would be under) was 741 metres last year, 617 the year before, so at 300m you should be fine!

Welcome to E/E

You need to look at the information on the Sutton LA website to gauge what your chances of success are.
Firstly the school has an admission number of 30. Because of the infant class size regulations this is the maximum the school can take in any class with one school teacher, so they will only go over 30 in some very exceptional circumstances.
The 30 that are admitted are admitted against the admission criteria for the school which is firstly Looked after children, then children with specific medical and social issues, elder siblings and then distance. The distance is measured on straight line distance from the school to your home.
The latest data says that last year of the 30 places allocated 16 were to siblings and 14 on distance and the furthest distance was 741.91 metres. However each year is different and you cannot rely on that information to be reproduced every year, a lot will depend how many sibling there are.

I'm trying to get DS into the nursery; I will effectively move too late for my new address to take effect, but the admissions officer said because I'm armed forces, they will count it as an exceptional circumstance and accept it.

I don't know how much of an effect that will have though; him being in the attached nursery? The admissions lady said it made no difference; I've heard others say it does though.

I live on the same street (or will be) as the school. I would have to physically walk past it to get to the next one. DS is an only, so no siblings.

I won't be in the forces by the time DS goes to school (2015) so the covenant will no longer apply.

Being in the nursery has no bearing on admittance to the school, regardless of what people might say! The school itself has no influence on who gets into the school, the LEA manage that process.

tiggy yes, I know there are a lot of people who have to go right out of their way for school in Surrey and I'm grateful that I have two schools on the road that I'm going to be living on. I suppose you just want the best don't you, and this being my first time, I just want to get it absolutely right!

I did hear that 2010 was a 'baby boom' year, so I think we will have competition for that reason.

That is comforting to know about the nursery having no bearing though. Hopefully we will get in anyway, as it's nice and close.

Why do people think it has a bearing though?

Coincidence, probably. They have kids in the nursery, apply, get a place and assume the nursery played a part. Or just Chinese whispers! Some people always see intrigue where there is none.

patricia yes, there is that!

I come from Cornwall where everyone gets in wherever they fancy I've never seen the like!

There is an admission criteria for the nursery at the school but there is no connection to entry to reception year.
It would appear that the admission criteria for the nursery is based on age

1. Children who have reached the age of 3 years by 1 September 2014
2. Children who have reached the age of 3 years by 1 January 2015
3. Children who have reached the age of 3 years by 1 April 2015

If it is full in any of the above criteria then they use the admission criteria for the reception year as a means of establishing priority.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but can someone tell me how you find the information about how far away the furthest pupil is for a given primary school?

Many thanks

From the local authority website. Most seem to publish a list each year, though not all do. The schools themselves should know if there isn't such a list.

Thanks Patricia, couldn't find anything when I looked earlier, but will try again later.