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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

School Applications! 6 or 3 schools?

18 replies

LadyBird25 · 30/07/2017 00:45

It is 00.43am and I am in bed thinking about how many schools I should apply to for my DD come 1st September 2017.

The advice on the local council website says apply to 6 schools but the government website says at least 3! What did most people do last year and the years before? For those in my shoes now, will you apply to 3 or 6 schools? Are are any downsides to applying for the 6 as opposed to 3?

My DD will have just turned 4 by the time she starts school September next year. I think she will be ready.

Thank you

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AndNowItIsSeven · 30/07/2017 00:48

No downsides at all apply for all six , otherwise if the first 3 are full, the school allocated will be random.

Original poster

LadyBird25 · 30/07/2017 00:55

That's a very good point, thanks

OP posts:

BackforGood · 30/07/2017 00:59

Put 6 down, without a doubt.
If you get into one of your first 3, then nobody will take any notice of what you put 4,5, and 6, but if you don't, then you will not be too pleased at being allocated a school an hour's journey away that no-one else wanted.

ExplodedCloud · 30/07/2017 01:07

Not all councils give you 6 choices. Ours is 3. If you have 6 choices, use them. If you have 3, use them.
Go by what your local council says. And whatever you do, make sure one of those choices is the local school you should get into. Better a poor school on your doorstep than missing all your choices and being allocated the worst school in the area with a 30 minute commute.

PerspicaciaTick · 30/07/2017 01:19

Our council offers 5 choices - I filled them all in.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 30/07/2017 09:39

We had four choices and I filled them all.

BasedOnTrueEvents · 30/07/2017 09:41

My council only has space for 3 choices on the form. I used them all. You'd be foolish not to use all the choices you're given.

prh47bridge · 30/07/2017 10:21

The government advice is basically telling you that your council must allow you to name at least 3 preferences. You should use as many preferences as they allow and make sure you include at least one school where you are almost certain to get a place.

BellaGoth · 30/07/2017 10:25

We only get three choices here too. Use them all. Don't believe the people that tell you if you only put 1 choice, you will get it. You won't.

A great tip I was given was too look out for summer fetes of schools I was interested so you can see them when they're not showing off to new parents.

TeenAndTween · 30/07/2017 11:07

Apply for as many as they let you.
Put them in your real order of preference.
Make sure you have at least one 'banker' in your list, usually your catchment school, but may not be. make sure you understand the admissions criteria.

Do your own research, you know what you want for your child best.
Remember a 'lovely small school' may sound perfect for your 4 year old, but may be stifling by the time your child is 9 or 10.
If a school isn't 100% on board with teaching phonics properly, then that isn't a good sign. this includes any statements like 'children grow out of phonics' or 'our good readers are too good for the phonics screening test'
You have no idea how academic your child will be or whether they will turn out to have a SpLD. So don't just look for a school that pushes the most able.

TeenAndTween · 30/07/2017 11:08

And don't apply on 1st Sept as you won't have been able to look round all the schools properly by then! Just make sure you do apply by the deadline!

LIZS · 30/07/2017 11:14

Different areas have a different number. Use the maximum you are allowed, in your order of preference.

ReinettePompadour · 30/07/2017 11:19

We only get 3 choices and I've been offered schools not on my list before.

If you can put 6 then do so and always put them in order of preference.

I know people who thought they could play the game, put their preferred school number 2 or 3 on the list then got offered a place at number 1. They weren't very happy about it and had to go on waiting lists or to appeals to get the school they really wanted.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 30/07/2017 13:42

Plenty of people put down one choice as siblings are in the school and don't get it. Don't take the risk.

Glumglowworm · 30/07/2017 20:14

Always use all your options! The website says at least 3 because the number of options you have varies by council.

the schools don't get told your order of preference so put them in the genuine order of what you want her to go.

Generally the advice is to put at least one school that you're as certain to get offered as possible, even if it's not a great school, as better a not-great school that you've visited and is local than a not-great school miles away. Unless you can afford to go private or HE that is.

RedSkyAtNight · 30/07/2017 20:21

Unless you are absolutely sure of getting a place at a school on your list, there is nothing to be lost in filling all the spaces.

MiaowTheCat · 30/07/2017 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

LadyBird25 · 31/07/2017 06:27

Thank you everyone, I was double minded before and may have just applied to 3 schools thinking it was the best decision ( well because of advice I received from some people ). When in doubt ask mumsnet 😀! Will be applying to 6 schools and the other thing , I thought I had to apply by 1st September!🙈But I don't do I? That's just when the applications start...... I am sure about the first 3 choices , will just need to go for open days to be certain about choices 4-6.

Thank you 😊

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