in year admission and timings

[ipsofacto73]

We are moving to a London borough and from Monday 14 July, my two dc's ,currently year 5 and year 3, will be without a school place.

Would you apply just before the end of the academic year? or delay the application until the beginning of September?

Thanks for any advice

If you will actually be in borough and capable of taking up a place immediately, then I can't see the harm in applying as soon as you can - some people may make their intentions known as to leaving just before the end of term.

I know that is usual for parents to give notice, but if there is not in fact a place (because the leaving children are still on the roll) would we be allocated where there is an actual place at that point in time iyswim? or would the council take into account that children are leaving the school at the end of that term?
It is Bromley council.

Definitely apply as soon as you have an address in the borough.

Even if the initial school places you are allocated are not your first preference, you can accept them and still stay on waiting lists at as many other schools as you like, and reject the first offered places later.

If your name is on waiting lists as soon as possible, you stand a much better chance of getting a school you like than if you wait until September, when all places which fall vacant in July/August will probably have been allocated to people already on the waiting lists.

I would advise applying now. That way hopefully you will have places and be ready to start first day of term which makes everything much easier for everyone. Be aware that loads of primary schools do not have admin staff in during the holidays.
Some LEA's may do it differently but I think after half-term they can formally offer you a place for Sep. If you leave it till Sep, there could be more applicants and you may stand less chance of a place.
Another benefit of applying now, is that your children maybe able to visit their new school before the summer holidays and make some friends who they can talk to / meet up with over the holidays.

Ok thanks that makes sense.

I'm going to home ed until we get the school I want (friendly caring school) so if I turn down the allocation I can then presumably go on the waiting list for that school?