dilemmas about schools

[agileflower]

This post probably could have fallen into so many threads - primary school, going back to work, etc!

I am new here. I have one son, who is 4 in August. I have lived in the UK for just about three years, and just separated from my husband.

I live in N8 but am considering moving to Brook Green (Family oriented, on central line (have to get back to work fast!), near to friends, etc) The whole schools issue is very baffling to me and indeed the whole management of the logistics of my situation is enough to give me a migraine!

I am interested in a flat, and the school that is on the street (a block down) passed me to the admissions officer when I called. The admissions officer could not really give me much admissions information. The LA doles out places by the usual state school criteria - we'd be very close. I asked if her schools classes were often full (as I'd be applying 'late' by the time I move) and she didn't have an answer. I basically told her I was trying to suss out his chances of getting in if we lived very closeby - she said he'd be on a waiting list and might not get in the first time but as they are a two form, he might get in on the second time. This made no sense to me, not having much familiarity with the whole system. Can someone enlighten me or translate? :-)

I am more keen that he get into a school that is right for his temperment and that is in a good area and frankly that is a bit easier for me - than a school that is far away but scores 2 percent higher in something or other. He is going to excel as long as his environment is supportive.

One issue is that in H&F he can't start reception until Jan 09 - whereas here he could start in September.

I could go on for ages about the other dilemmas (moving/sorting childcare/work) but hope that once I get a firm grip on this issue it will help with the rest.

Nice to have found this forum - I will look forward to perusing threads and getting to know you!

Sorry you have to worry about all this on your own Agile. I can't help you about most of this, except to say that my ds started school at 4 yrs 2 mos and I was worried that he might be too young and not settle. So I spoke to the head about it (of course, they want bums on seats for funding) and she said that if he didn't settle, it would be possible for him to go part time. This was not needed in the event, as he loved school from day one - mainly for social and football reasons I think!

In the light of this I would opt for the earlier start, esp as it will also be more convenient for you work-wise but build in a get-out clause in case it goes pear shaped.

HTH

you can always go on a waiting list as well for your preferred school. And am pretty sure your late application - if you have just moved to the area - pushes you past people on any waiting lists.

Agileflower
If you are looking to get back to work, I would make one of your key criteria for choosing a school, whether or not they have breakfast and after school clubs. If not, whether or not there are local childminders with places.

As for the admissions business, well it all seems to be more luck than judgement. Whether or not they accept your child will depend on many factors. However, living close to the school will not guarantee you a place at any stage of the process. For example, they may have lots of siblings in that intake (who will get first priority). On the other hand, you may get a place even though you live out of the catchment area for a number of reasons (not many siblings that year, not much movement etc.)

I think the deadline for getting your application in is usually about now. Remember that even if you don't get a place at the school of your choice, you can still go on the school waiting list.

If the school is oversubscribed it will be full by the start of reception. But there is always change in the first year. And even in the years after that. You can always be on the waiting list and if you are close, of course, that's to your advantage.

In H&F they start half the age group in Sept, and half in Jan. DS would start in Jan because he is very young for the group - Aug birthday.

I am unsure of what she likely meant by the 'second time' as they are a two form school. Do they roll entries or something? (Sorry if this is a silly question - I am just totally unfamiliar with the UK system and its terminology and though I'm reading lots everyone seems to use the term 'X-form' as if everyone understands what it means - and I don't!) :-)

The deadline has passed for him, yes, so he would go on the waiting list. I suppose he could be someplace else for a year? (I take transit and the thought that I have to hike him someplace far in the morning is a bit daunting)

The school I'd like him to get into has after school care but not before - so I'd need help in that area if my work started at 9 (as the school starts at nine!) - I don't know how easy it would be to get someone to do that for me.

Hana, what do you mean by pushing us past others on the waiting list? THey are not straight lists that are filled from but they vary in order by some criteria? They sure make that a bit of a secret - the website says zero about how it all actually works!

Thank you so much!!