Moving to the UK - Year 1

[newmum1292]

My daughter and I are due to move back to the UK in June of 2025. She is 5 years old (Oct 2019) and currently enrolled at an international school abroad (KG2). I want to enrol her in Year 1 in September 2025 but was told my options would be very limited because I would either need a school that had a place for her because it was either undersubscribed or someone left which I’m told is very difficult for her age group. Any tips?

Additionally - the school year where we live ends in June but the school year in the UK ends end of July so I was advised that I would need to enrol her for that period of time as well.

Class sizes in England for reception, year 1 and year 2 are limited to 30, unless very exceptional circumstances.

Many schools take full intake in reception, so you would either need to go to a school where there is spaces or a child would need to have left.

I am assuming you are talking state (free) school here rather than private (paid for).

When you move and you have an address you can apply to the local council and they have to find you a place within a reasonable time.

Where are you moving to?

There have been falling birthrates, 2019 was a low birth rate year, some primary schools have even closed, so if you are moving to some areas (eg London) you will have plenty of options.

Yes you will need to put her in a school with a place, but that doesn't mean the school will be bad or underperforming.

Yes agree it depends where you are moving too. If you are considering South West London you can contact Richmond upon Thames borough council and ask them where the current spaces are in Reception (which schools) and it will give you an idea of the availability next summer.