Primary Application

[aussiemum2015]

Hello

After some advice.

Looking at schools for ds for Reception in 2019 (2020 if we get the go ahead for him to start later as summer born). South East London.

However, the process has me confused.

The school next to me needs improving - year six didn't pass maths last year and the other closest is in the same boat.

How do I go about applying for out of borough schools and those that we may be out of catchment for?

I know it is not until next January that we apply, but the whole process is starting to wane on me a bit.

Any help greatly appreciated.

You can apply for any school you like, the process is the same. Most authorities allocate on distance so you will have less likely-hood of getting a place, the further away you are, especially if they are popular schools (which most good ones are).

Thank you.

And if I don’t get any of the schools I put down, will they automatically add him to my local ones?

You can list any 6 schools , but you need to include at least one you are happy with and realistically would get a place at. Otherwise you could find you do not qualify for any on your list and are allocated wherever there is a space.

If you don’t get any preferences you will be allocated at the nearest school which has a space - there’s no guarantee of how close that will be.

You should always include a ‘banker’ school - one which you stand a very good (or as good as possible) chance of getting into, it generally being better to get a school you don’t like that is nearby, than one you don’t like (or like even less) which is miles away.

The local authority only have to make you one offer - if you turn down the school you are allocated, they aren’t obligated to offer you another.

Thank you everyone