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Original poster

Is it too soon for a September 2017 reception support thread?

355 replies

BellaGoth · 28/09/2016 20:08

Anybody about to embark on school applications and want to chat? I don't know about anyone else but I think I'll need a place to get advice / support over the next year!

DS will be 4 in January and I think will be very ready for school come September. Our catchment school is single form entry and very over-subscribed but we live quite close so fingers crossed we'll get in!

First school tours next week, quite looking forward to it!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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wornoutboots · 17/01/2017 18:21

I did it in september. I know I did, and got the email to prove it. Why am I stressing on "what if..."??!

Cornwall73 · 17/01/2017 20:23

I still check the receipt email everyday!

Original poster
BellaGoth · 17/01/2017 20:41

I wish they'd send a "honestly, we've DEFINITELY got your application" email...

OP posts:
Cornwall73 · 17/01/2017 20:42

I know!

MavolioBent · 17/01/2017 21:09

Hello just thought I would jump on here. I'm also obsessively checking I've definitely applied for dd2. I know I did it ages ago but still...

I think dd2 will be ready come September. She is already in the nursery at the school we hope she will go to and doing really well. I have 2 older dc at the school and we are well in catchment so would be very surprised not to get in.

Am also.waiting to hear about secondary school for ds2. Feeling the stress a bit Hmm

Oh and hi to rat, bella and lotis. How mad that our babies are off to school?!

wornoutboots · 01/02/2017 14:30

well my boy informed me that he doesn't like school and is going to stay in the nursery instead (right next to the classroom he'll be in for Reception class lol)

I have news for him... lol

CactusFred · 01/02/2017 16:03

I don't want to wish the time away but this wait is horrid! I need to plan my life and if we don't get first choice I will possibly have to change jobs etc so it's majorly stressing me out!

Original poster
BellaGoth · 23/02/2017 11:16

Oh my goodness cactus that must be really stressful!

We have the final part of DS' SEN assessment today. Not sure what I'm hoping for as an outcome. Either way we'll be able to start working on getting him a bit more ready for school I suppose.

I'm still fretting that I've mucked something up...

OP posts:
scampimom · 28/02/2017 15:30

Just popping my head in the door as have one-and-only DD going to school in September and am already a knot of worries about it.

Things like this always make me wonder how stupid people manage!

gtyrfctsrght · 01/03/2017 20:53

It's a minefield!
All the secondary school stuff today is making me doubly worried.

meditrina · 07/03/2017 15:27

The main message to take from the secondary threads is that, unless you are genuinely able to HE indefinitely do not reject the school you are offered

Even if you hate it. Because having made an offer, the LEA is under no obligation to come up with another place, which could leave you without a school place at all come September.

Instead, could I suggest you start a thread asking for advice? It is difficult to win an appeal when Infant Class Size (ICS) rules apply, because the ground to take a class over 30 are very narrow indeed. But it is a parent's right to appeal, and the various expert posters can help give you a realistic idea of how to make a case.

Original poster
BellaGoth · 02/04/2017 08:31

So, two weeks to go... Out of interest I put all the uniform I thought we'd need into my asda online shopping basket and I reckon whichever school we get we'll be spending upwards of £100!

Bumped into the mum of one of DS' preschool friends the other day. She's only put down one (oversubscribed) school because "then they'll have to give it to her"! Shock

Another friend has only put oversubscribed, out of catchment schools to force her ex into paying for private school for their DD. He rarely pays any maintenance... Hmm

OP posts:
CactusFred · 02/04/2017 16:00

I'm scared but optimistic because we are 300m from school that was undersubscribed last year (but way over the year before, apparently it's every 3 years it goes mad!) and we live semi rural so there are not loads of kids nearer to school. Can't help but worry until we know for sure?

We get told on 16th but have seen other posts talking about 18th. Why is this?

Alex83 · 02/04/2017 17:10

Hi everyone, just checking in too. Our oldest DD (have a younger DS too) is due to start reception in September. Feeling hopeful we'll get one of our first 3 schools (all of which I'd be happy with). Still an anxious wait though, we're in an area with very oversubscribed schools.

We're 18th April Cactus not sure why some are different dates.

Bella I'm actually really excited to get DD her school uniform and school shoes etc Hmm so tragic haha!!

Trb17 · 02/04/2017 17:14

Good luck everyone waiting. I remember it well and just went through the worrying wait for secondary this March.

@BellaGoth it sounds to me as if the two friends you described above have played a very risky game. Of course they could get lucky but if they do it'll be because they genuinely qualified for the school offered and not because they tricked the system. Please let us know how you & they get on.

MiaowTheCat · 03/04/2017 18:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
BellaGoth · 03/04/2017 19:34

Great tip about the sweatshirts! Yes all three of our choices have them, I'm fact I think all schools in the area do. Upwards of £10 each. Shock

OP posts:
MiaowTheCat · 04/04/2017 08:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CactusFred · 04/04/2017 17:37

My friend just came round for play date and let slip she'd only put down 2 choices 'like you' Confused - not sure where she got that idea from as I filled in all 3!

I'd said I wasn't putting down the new school they're building between her house and mine as it won't be ready on time and it'd be weird being only class in the school etc. I still picked another to fill the slot.

I hope she gets one of her 2 choices!

Feeling partially to blame!

Original poster
BellaGoth · 04/04/2017 21:01

There are so many stories like this. Why does it keep happening? It's SO clear on our council's website.

OP posts:
Trb17 · 04/04/2017 21:14

Urban myths is why. Someone only lists one school but gets it. In reality it's because they legitimately qualified for that school but they tell anyone who listens that the best the system and here's how... then others follow but they aren't as lucky. The "Equal Preference System" is very clear and yet still people think they can trick it sigh

Trb17 · 04/04/2017 21:15

that they beat the system that should read. Sorry for typos.

CactusFred · 04/04/2017 21:58

This friend wasn't trying to beat system as such - she's lovely but a bit dippy and I had to remind her to apply on 14th Jan at which point she confirmed (wrongly as it turns out) what my choices were.

Our sons have been friends since babies and for child care reasons we hope they'll get a place at the same school (the first choice) so she's just put what I put but got it wrong iyswim. Unfortunately she lives further than we do from both schools and school 2 is oversubscribed Sad - I put it cos we are in with a reasonable chance due to our distances.

I do know someone else who has put one choice though because 'we live so close to the school' - 15 intake and I'm aware of several others who are closer who have put it as first choice (with 2/3 too!!) so that may not end well. When she told me I was like Confused

BaxterStockboy · 06/04/2017 19:00

Waiting for the 18th here too! Ds2 is a sibling in a massively oversubscribed school. Criteria is siblings in catchment first (we are on the cusp of the catchment area!)so we should be ok but I can't help worry that he wont get a place.

We did use all of our other choices, so confident he'll get a place nearby at least.

Really hoping he gets a place in the same school as I can't even begin to imagine how I'll get 2 kids to 2 different schools on time?

Good luck everyone!

CactusFred · 07/04/2017 20:01

There's a big ticking clock over my head 😟