We have left it very late and haven't looked at any primary schools for dd, who starts next Sept, can you change your mind once you've put down a school?

[WideWebWitch]

I feel very neglectful as a parent here but we haven't looked around any local schools for dd, who goes next September. Ds already goes to a local school which has an outstanding Ofsted but it's quite a big school and dd doesn't much like big crowds. I'm worried that it's not the right school for her and there are plenty of small sweet village schools nearby so we can make a different decision.

But we have til the 15th to fill in the form with our preferences and we haven't looked at anywhere. I KNOW we've been crap about this and I'm feeling cross with myself but what shall we do? Help!

Two things. I know you didn't ask this but I agree with newgirl and some other posters, send them to the same school if you can. Secondly I know it probably does depend on local authority however our school recently had the most shocking Ofsted and a number of parents have pulled their kids out and sent them to other local schools. No problems as long as there were places.

Thank you for these new views. We don't have much choice really, we have no time to do anything else but good points, thanks. And I've at least sorted out a tutor for him for the 11+ so am not complete failure. Agree about the message it would send. Thanks.

fortylus..... are you sure about that? You can change your application as many times as you like on line but not after midnight on the closing date. That was my understanding, anyway.......

Sorry clam - not looked for a while. When we did ours (ds2 in yr 8 now) there was a closing date by which time all applications had to be received. Then there was another 'final date' about 6 weeks later which allowed for people moving house etc to make a new application. Any online applications could be altered up until the later date. Definitely. It was the same the previous year when we did ds1's application - the first year that Herts CC accepted online applications. I could look for the link if you like?

I know that they would consider looking at proof of an impending address-change up to a month after the closing date, after which the computers would 'say no' but thought that that didn't apply to anyone else. They may have changed the rule by now.... or not. Anyway, is not an issue any more for us as DS settled in Y7, so don't worry about the link - unless anyone else is curious?