Ok as someone whos just done school applications for 2nd time I have learnt a few things
nothing is certain even If you live in flipping same street.
read admissions criteria very carefully
dont go purly on ofsted or outdated reputation and gossip.
never put down a school you not at least visited.
look at as many schools as you possibly can that think are doable.
dont rely on fact that preschools next door that means easier.
dont assume siblings get automatic right.
next year is going be higher numbers and possibly higher siblings well locally as last year locally high siblings and this year lower 2 schools years seems be common gap.
do look at sats results but they can be false if people tutor and ofsted parent veiw questionaires intresting but people only tend to fill them in if something bads happened so can mostly be negative.
you really cant do much until sept now thats when local authorities publish admissions for schools booklet listing all schools what happened last years ie how my people listed 1st, how many got in, how many appealed how many lost, how many siblings and furthest distance from school.
from that list you will get pictures whos under subscribed and whos over.
get hold of school prospectuses, look at their website talk to current parents.
my freind applying next year intends to have informal nose at summer fetes/fairs as they open general public
Always list all your option so if 3put 3 down if 6 put 6.
I did know which schols ae always under so chose not put them down on my list as thinking could be fallback choice.
I was allocated a always undersubcribed school.
I veiwed another undersubscribed school and checked yesterday still massivly under so could be fallback option if wanted it.
Look at school website-some are truly ribbish.
think about what you want?
big ? small? nice grounds? extra curricular clubs?
wrap aroud care does it offer breckfast club after school club if you work? what childminders do that school.