Idiots guide needed please

[ShadowsShadowsEverywhere]

I have a DD who will be 4.5 next September. It's occurred to me that she will probably be the right age to start reception then. I have no idea how to go about this? I've looked at the website of two local primaries and can't see any info on when the open evening is. I don't know how to go about applying - again google has not given me any info.

Will I get a letter and admissions form from the council? From the school? Or do I need to apply somewhere for them? Are open evenings likely to be soon? How do I find out when they are? When do I need to apply and how do I do it? She's at nursery ATM but it's a private one not connected to a school. I just have no idea where it even start. Help me!

Hello, we're in Cambs and couldn't find this year's info either - as you say, if you navigate the website you just get last year's information. I found it eventually by searching the website for First Steps 2015.

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/3165/first_steps_2015-16_how_to_apply_for_a_primary_school_place

A bit shambolic - I guess they'll have to sort out their website soon - but hope this helps in the meantime!

Ah, xpost. Glad you've found it.

We live quite near an RAF base with its own school. A few non RAF children went there but quite a few RAF children came to our village school although they were not in catchment. With only 10% non forces children I really would try to avoid it. If you intend to stay put, there will be a lot of turbulence and, in our area, the Officers did not appear to send their children to the RAF school!!! Not considered good enough! Work out where else you can apply to with a reasonable hope of getting in.

A very good friend of mine used to be an army officer. He didn't have children at the time but he told me that officers children were not expected to go to the same school as solider children. If abroad for example in Germany, officers DC were expected to be sent to boarding school as opposed to base school. He was horrified by it, but felt it would not be his decision