Help needed!

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Hi, we are an Australian family relocating to England. My husband will work in Coventry and my son is turning 7 in May. How does it work in the primary school system? We want to find a good state primary school for our son and live nearby. We have been told Leamington Spa is a charming area to live in? Would love some tips on great schools around Coventry in combination with a great town to live in. Excited, but overwhelmed...

Leamington is nice but can't comment further! Look at Coventry city council web site for schools info

Your son will go into Year 3 this Sept. The school year here starts in Sept and finishes in July. If you arrive before the end of July he will go into Year 2.

Good schools can often be oversubscribed however outside of London the situation isn't always so dire. Also older classes can be easier to get a place in.

I would suggest finding a local forum and asking for info about the area.

Contact the Local Authority and ask to have your child's name on a waiting list. Relocating in May means that you'll need an IN YEAR school place application. Beware that most Local Authorities won't process any applications unless you have a stable home address first.

Southam is a small town about ten miles from leamington and 15 from coventry. It has a good secondary school with lots of good primary schools in the town and surrounding villages.

Thank you all so much, I'll follow up on your leads. Does anyone know if there is a Montessori Primary school anywhere near Coventry, Leamington Spa? @Fuzzymum1, which primary schools in Southam would recommend visiting? We will go for a look-see in June and move to England in August.

I would find out which if any would possibly have spaces. Then look at the school web sites and reports, results etc. Think about size if school you prefer - they vary from 1 form to 3 or 4 typically. Would you consider faith schools? If not, cross them out. Leamington is pretty and a nice town with good shops etc so maybe start there and see how you go?

Maybe re post your message with Coventry in the title and see if anyone local picks it up

Leamington schools come under Warwickshire, not Coventry.

I think most of the primaries in southam are good from what I've heard, I have more experience of the village schools - Long Itchington and Stockton are good.

Secondary school in Southam - www.southamcollege.com
Long Itchington school doesn't seem to have a website currently.
Stockton Primary <a class="break-all" href="//www.www.stockton.warwickshire.sch.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.www.stockton.warwickshire.sch.uk/

Southam College has had the results of a recent ofsted inspection today and has maintained it's 'Outstanding' grading.
www.southamcollege.com/Mainfolder/homepage-button/FINAL-Ofsted-report-100414RV5-l-440629.pdf