Moving to a new area and changing schools

[MintChocc]

Good night ladies! We have almost, almost made up my mind to leave our tiny and very expensive flat in central London and to move a bit further out . I can see many pros... the only thing stopping me is DD's school. She is very well settled and loves her friends. We are also very happy with the teaching and her progress.

If we move, it would be to Lewisham / Blackheath /Hither Green area. Does anybody know if...

• Would we have more chances to get a place for her in the new school we want if we moved in September or if we waited a 3-4 months?

• What if they offer us a place in a school that is too far? Or one that we don't like? I know that beggars can't be choosers, but what would be our options in that case?

• Finally, any schools to avoid (primaries)?

Thanks!

Thanks Tiggytape... it sounds like a proper nightmare then! I can see us with no school, or a school that nobody wants. I can picture her lonely, missing her friends, having to commute to her new hellish school and who knows, maybe even been bullied, falling behind in all subjects...

I am going to make myself a cup of tea and watch a film to stop thinking about all this.

Out of curiousity, why does she have more chance to get a place on year 3 or above?

Thank you! Very helpful

Another thing you may not know is that waiting lists are held in the same order of preference as the normal applications - it's not first come first served. Assuming the school ranks applicants by distance from school (and not eg lottery), you could jump much of the waiting list by moving next door to the school (although you would probably still find yourself behind any siblings/church-goers/anyone else with priority in the applications process).

So you may have to choose between moving next door to a school that you really like, or hedging your bets and moving somewhere fairly near to several.