School applications + moving + stress!

[TMarieClara]

I'm completely overwhelmed and confused about school applications and hoping wise mums of Mumsnet can offer some advice.

We currently live in Surrey. Next year we are moving to East Devon (somehow), and our DD who turns 4 in the summer will start reception there. But I'm not sure how to do school applications. Our situation is a bit complicated.

We have a house under offer in a town near two schools we like. But, our sale has just fallen through and we're probably going to lose that house. The market is dead, so if we do, we're going to take our house off the market until spring, and then sell when we can and move in with family already in Devon in August, so we're there for school starts.

I've spoken to both Devon schools we like, and they've been great and said there are no guarantees, but neither were full this year and took applications late. So that bodes well. But I don't know if I can just apply there from Surrey and say we're moving, or if we have to move first. Or should we apply for schools here, even though we're determined to move?

Basically, how on earth do I give my daughter the best chance of getting into a good school down there?

TIA!

PS please don't suggest sending her the year later, as we both work full time and she's excited for school. We don't want to do another year of pre-school.

You have to apply using your current address. You can apply for schools in Devon, but of course your surrey address would be used, so you would only get allocated a Devon school if it did not fill its places from those living nearer. If they are rural schools that are normally undersubscribed, you may be ok.

If they are full, surrey will allocate you a school local to your current address.

If you are 100% certain you are moving, I would apply for schools in Devon, but apply via Surrey. Assuming you have six choices, you could put Devon schools in position 1-4 and local Surrey schools in 5 and 6.

If there is any chance your move might get delayed, I would apply for schools near your current house. Then when you move, you can decline the Surrey place and make a late application to Devon. Hopefully the schools will remain undersubscribed and this will work for you.

Apply from your current address to local schools.

Then do an in year transfer when you move