Primary applications and visits

[AnnoyedByAlfieBear]

Summer born ds is due to start school in September 2016. From what I understand, applications will open in October 2015 so next year (its crazy, he's not even 2 yet!). When do we start contacting schools for a look around? I presume we just give them a call when the time comes.

I know I have a while yet but I want to get my head around it.

Thanks!

I would suggest the Autumn term 2015 is the best time as it will give you a current feel for the school as you are making your decisions about your preferences. Schools that do not allow you to arrange a time to go in and talk to the head teacher and be shown around, should in my opinion, be viewed with suspicion as they are obviously not a school that rates communication with parents and the local community highly.

Depends if you want state or private and whether you want to apply for school nursery too. Start researching your options now as it can be a mine field ... But that depends on where you live etc

Thanks for your replies.

It's going to be state and we're not sure about nursery. DS is in one now which is good and I'm not sure if it would benefit him by moving.

Start by researching LA and school admissions policies. Draw up a list of those you have a chance of a place at and go and visit. School nursery is very different but can be great

DD just stayed at her normal nursery as we needed it as childcare as well and the usual pre school hours didn't fit.

Open days are normally in Autumn term around October, November. I would start by checking if the last application booklet from your council is still available at their website and check what schools are around your area. It also shows the distance the school admitted pupils so it gives you some idea which schools to look at. If you have CoE or RC schools, you need to see their admission criteria re baptism.

Distances can vary a lot, our school has 60 places, 48 of them are taking up by sibling this year, so the distance will shrink dramatically.

The booklet for the 2015 admission should be out by September-isch, so you may want to wait.

When we were thinking about admissions for this year, most schools advertised open days for groups of parents that were held around October/November. The application needs to be done by the end of January so this leaves plenty of time to decide. Contact the school directly around that time, or look on their websites.

Thanks all.

Most primary schools have open mornings/meetings in sept/October before the jan deadline for applications, so nearly a full year before he would be due to start school. Your LEA will most likely publish a "starting primary school in 2016" booklet by the summer of 2015 that gives info about local schools and details of open events for prospective parents.

Check out nursery too - all the schools near us offer the 15 hours and the option to top up to 8-6 pm