moving to different city before starting primary school

[TinkTinks]

Hello

We have a 1 year old. We are currently living in Hertfordshire. Family is currently supporting us with childcare.
We are planning to move house in 3/4 years, to Brighton.
When should we be looking at schools?
Would we have to move house before a certain date so that we can apply to our chosen schools?

Thanks,
T

You need to have moved ideally by the January before he/she starts school, which will be the September they are 4yo.

Check the admission schedule for the area - some are January applications others as early as October. You need to have completed your purchase or have a rental contract, be paying council tax etc. They do check! I would suggest starting looking a year ahead at put dc into nursery close to the desired primary if possible.

You have to apply by 15th January in the year your child is due to start school, so you need to have moved by then to apply on time. (They will be due to start school in the Sept after their 4th birthday.) Obviously if you are buying, the process can take some time, so I wouldn't leave it too late. You can apply later but you will be given a place at whichever school has one, not necessarily the one nearest or that you like best. Some areas are more oversubscribed than others, you can find that out for the area you are moving to.