In year application for Year 1

[achangewoulddoyougood]

In a bit of a pickle with schools at the moment for my 4 year old DS. Seeking some advice and reassurance.

We didn't get a place in any of the schools we chose and the one allocated isn't suitable for various reasons. So we kept DS in nursery, he's happy there and it's a very good Montessori nursery. Better than some of the reception classes we saw when visiting schools.

The problem is looming though, we need to find a school with a place in Year 1.Pivate schools aren't an option. We also need to move. Currently we live in central London, in a one bed flat. A shoe box, although a nice one. We really need more space! Fortunately we do own the flat so have the option to let it out or cash in.

I just don't know where to start. How can I find out if a school has a place without having to individually email schools? Should I just move to a place I like and hope for the best? It seems like the schools in popular commuter towns are just as oversubscribed as the ones here. Also do I need to move before Christmas to get a postcode for the application, or can I move next summer? Have I left it all too late?! Panic!

We've really tried hard to cling onto central living with a short commute time (15 mins to Soho). The thought of an hours train journey doesn't fill me with joy. However we need a school place and more space.

Has anybody else been through this? Sleepless night and panic is starting to set in!

"Should I just move to a place I like and hope for the best"

Essentially, yes....!

The best place to start is the local authority for where you want to move to; many schools still get them to co-ordinate in-year admissions, so they will have an idea of what is available. For other schools, yes you will have to talk to them individually.

If there is a space going free, they have to give it to you regardless of your address, but you would normally be expected to take it up within a couple of weeks so it often doesn't work doing it in advance as that is impractical.

Once you have an address in the LEA, they have to find you a place, but it might not be in the school of your choice. If it's over 2 miles away, your child will get transport (could be bus pass, could be school bus, could be taxi).

Many schools will of course be full; but the LEA will have to find space somewhere, even if it involved forcing a local school to go over numbers if nothing else can be found. Though again this may not be in a school of your choice.

Agree with PatriciaHolm. Just to add:

do I need to move before Christmas to get a postcode for the application

No you don't. The January deadline is for people applying for places in Reception. As you are applying for Y1 it doesn't affect you. You can apply at any time. However, if you leave it until the summer holidays your son may not get a place for the start of the autumn term as there will be no-one at the schools to deal with your application.

If they don't have a reception place now, they won't be able to tell you they have one for next year's y1. If the school has a r place now and no waiting list they have to offer it to you but you need to take it up very quickly as they don't have to hold it open for your convenience. So essentially you need to move first.

Thank you for advice.

Taking all things into account, it may be more advantageous to ditch the UK and move abroad.

I'll keep you updated on our predicament.

What happened?! Similar quandary