Applying for primary schools now

[HeatherGupta]

We are relocating to the UK from abroad, and just now starting the application process. I have one child in primary and one in secondary school. I've successfully applied for secondary schools (via the LEA) but it's not allowing me to apply for a primary school place. Any ideas how I can do this? been googling like mad ...

Can you email schools in the area you are moving to to ask what to do?

You could look for contact details on their websites

Email or ring the admissions office. Each council may have slightly different procedures, so there's no single right answer.

Thank you. I will do just that tomorrow. Just wondered if there were any national guidelines.

You need to look at In Year application process for the relevant LA website or give them a call. What year group is it for?

He's 10 on 18 September, so I think he will fall into year 6? Finding it hard to figure out. I have one child who turns 12 on Sept 1st and one child who turns 10 on Sept 18th ...

When will the move happen?
If you’re moving to England, the one turning 12 on 1st September would go into Year 7 (first year of most secondary schools) in September. The younger one will go into Year 5 (primary) in September.

No dc2 year 5 in September. Elder would be entering year 7. When are you moving, most schools require you to take up the place within weeks of allocation.

State schools in England?? You need to follow the in year applications system after you get an address and are in the country. You can't apply for September now.

Agree with those saying Y5 and Y7 in September.

When are you flying? We flew end May (and were,asked for tickets/boarding cards to prove when we arrived) , applied end May and started school mid June, so did the last few weeks in the year group just finished abroad. Might not be great for your oldest, but would highly recommend for your youngest if you are here soon.

We have an address, and we are in the process of moving. Would likely arrive in the UK in a month or so. The older one is 12 on 1 September so that makes it a bit confusing ..

Also I'm looking to start them in Sept as they finish their current school year (here in India) May end ...

Year 7 is a standard entry point, so you can apply now for a Sept place.
Year 5 in a mid-year admission. You will probably have to wait until June to apply for a Sept place. If you apply now, they will want you to start in the next few weeks in year 4.

Its too early for an In Year application for September. It would be June/July time at the earliest.

Yr7 is a normal admissions round, high is why you can apply now.

They can allocate the year 7 place as that is an entry point and all pupils will starting at that point. Joining an established year 5 class means looking for a vacancy nearer the time. Cut off is 31st August so dc1 will be one of eldest in year group .

You might be better applying for a year 4 place on arrival so he meets future class mates before summer break.

Got it! Thank you everyone ... has cleared up a lot. Am returning to the UK after an absence of 20+ years .. so it's a bit of a minefield ...