In-year admissions, Barnes/Richmond

[housemovers]

Can someone reassure me?!

I'm moving to Barnes shortly from the Midlands (DH's job has re-located and he has family in SW London) and have applied for spaces for my DC8 and DC10 at local primaries. They all look good - all schools in the area are outstanding (we can't apply to faith) - but my mind is in overdrive as I know how over-subscribed these schools are compared with where we're moving from.

Has anyone had experience of in-year admissions in this area? Will I be destined to travel miles across london to drop them off at different schools?! Will I be forced to homeschool forever??!

Have you spoken to the local authority to see if there are vacancies or how long the waiting lists are?
Will you be using state for secondary? I think you might have very limited options from there.

I would expect you'll be fine. I live not too far from Barnes and most, probably all, of the primary schools around here have spaces in the upper years due to families living out of London and children moving to private schools. I guess the main issue is whether your child will go to Secondary school next year, in which case ideally you'd be in your new address by 31 October?

Also- if the faith schools have spaces, of course you can apply there. If they have spaces they will want to fill them.

@JoJoSM2 Yes, I spoke to the council a few weeks ago but they couldn't tell me anything other than it was their busiest period, so it might take up to a month to get a school place. So I've sent in all my paperwork as soon as I have it in the hopes we'll only be school-less for a couple of weeks.
For secondary I plan to send the children private - though I know this is competitive too! I've started researching and booking in viewings.
School doesn't work like this out in the sticks!

@11plusagain thank-you - in that case I will keep everything crossed the wait isn't too long and we get good schools.
DC10 has only just turned 10 so he has just under 2 years until secondary... we are looking to send him privately (which I understand will be another headache).

I was under the impression that to apply to a faith school you had to show proof of worship?

Proof of worship is usually only relevant in reception when they have to 'rank' applicants. If a school has spaces you wouldn't need it.
I honestly think you'll have no problem in Barnes but you'd get a place in next door Putney easily so not far to go!
Lots of Private Secondary schools around although you will need to get on the case this year. There are good state secondary schools as well.

The borough of Richmond has fab primaries (bar a handlful of rubbish ones) so you've got a very good chance of a place in a very good school. You could try Putney too but that's the borough of Wandsworth that way.

Loads of indies about so don't worry too much as long as you have an easier back up option too.

However, are you sure Barnes is a good spot if you're coming from 'out in the sticks'? The plane noise can get really awful - last time I was there the planes were so low that we literally had to stop conversations every two minutes as we couldn't hear one another over the noise. There is no traffic at the moment as Hammersmith Bridge is shut but otherwise the place is clogged up. A quitter version of Barnes would be Teddington: a Victorian suburb by the river, fancy shops and eateries but less traffic and plane noise.

@11plusagain thank-you, you've been really helpful!

@JoJoSM2 that's great, my mind has definitely been set at ease.

I'm actually really excited to move - I lived in Hackney from the age of 18 to 28 and left for the countryside kicking and screaming (the planes could land on our balcony and I'd still be happy). It's nearly 10 years on though, and I've never experienced South West London/London with kids. V different to the sirens of Hackney Downs...

Lol Very different vibe to Hackney. If you're used to a bit of noise, then you'll def find Barnes fab for family living. Good luck with schools!

Lowther, East Sheen, Thompson House, St Osmunds and Mary Mags all seem to have places past Infants. Barnes Primary seems to keep class sizes up a bit better but still has movement. All are Good or outstanding schools so you can't really go wrong. They are different though so have a good look and ask questions here to work out which one would be the best fit for your child.

@Rollercoaster1920 brilliant, thank-you. either East Sheen or Thompson House are my favourites so this makes me feel better - I guess it's now just a case of waiting.

Of those two it is really whether you prefer a large or small school, and perhaps the individual teachers. Go with the closest!

Just stumbled across this thread and I am in the exact same situation. Currently in the midlands, moving for work to Barnes with DC5 (currently in reception) and DC. How did the move go @housemovers ? Did you get into the schools you wanted? Was there a long waiting list? Thanks in advance.