Feedback on Shirley schools

[Natssethi]

Hi.... we r relocating to the UK and my daughter is going into year 1. Need all the powai me feedback from you lovely ladies on public schools in shirley

Hi - which Shirley?

The shirley area in solihull. We r planning to get a rental house there.

Ask for this to be moved to the local boards. Shirley is such a small place but there might be some Solihull parents about.

What age?

Ah - theres one in Croydon too so could have been confusing! When are you relocating back - because as your daughter will be in year 1 - the classes will be subject to infant class sizes so they will only be allowed to go above 30 pupils in exceptional circumstances (these may well apply to you - I don't know). So if your return is for this coming September you're best bet (if you've not already done so) would be to contact Solihull and find out which schools have capacity in year 1 (of course this may change between now and September - but would give you an idea of "bankers").

There are some admissions experts on here who should be along presently to assist - and apologies if I've got anything wrong above...

She will be 5 in may this year so will start year 1 in sep

Thanks a ton ton myrtle!!!!

Tbh OP, most of the primary schools in Shirley are pretty good. The only one I can think of that people have recently raised eyebrows about is Cranmore.

I'll tag some of the admissions experts to see if they can advise on process (rather than merits of individual schools) - @admission @prh47bridge - there are others - apologies!

Will bear that in mind.... we r moving from India so really unsure.

Answering the call...

If you are on Crown Service you can be allocated a place before moving to the UK. If you are not it is up to the local authority when to accept your application. I believe Solihull, like most local authorities, won't allow you to apply until you are living in the UK.

You apply to the local authority for a school place. You will be able to name up to 3 preferences. The local authority has to comply with your preferences if it can.

The main problem you will have is that you will be applying for a place in Y1. Most schools will already be full so you may not get a place at any of your preferred schools. The local authority must still find a place for your daughter but it is likely to be at an unpopular school and could be some distance from home. If it is more than 2 miles by the shortest safe walking route the local authority will have to provide transport to get your daughter to and from school.

If you don't get your first choice school you can appeal. However, in Y1 an appeal may be heard under infant class size rules. This means that adding your daughter to the school will result in them having a class with over 30 pupils in Y1 or Y2. Unfortunately, if it is an infant class size appeal you can only win if a mistake has been made, which is very unlikely in your situation. However, if you find a school which isn't running classes of 30 in Y1 or Y2 an appeal will have a better chance of success.

That really helps @prh47bridge!!!! What is the crown service?

It would mean you are in the UK's armed forces or are working for the UK government and have been posted overseas. If you don't know what Crown Service is you definitely aren't on it!

I think most are good in south solihull but can have tiny catchment areas. Perhaps try joining a group like solihull mums and dads and asking there.

Year 1 place might be a struggle too as they’ve built so many houses in solihull in last few years and there was a fertility boom too in this area in 2010/11/12/13

Can you afford independent? Saint Martins is lovely.

Would love to consider private schools but can't right now financially.