Advice on my situation please

[Bishciamoat]

DH, DCs and I are moving back to London after a few years away. I intend to apply for a school place as soon as things are set up in my new home, e.g. Council Tax reference, etc. However, I understand I will have to make an In-Year application to whichever school I choose. Where does this leave my child? Does it mean that he will potentially be out of school for a year and will be waiting around for a place to become available during that year? How do In-Year applications work?

I do have a school in mind, but it's a popular school so places will likely be full.
On the other hand, shall I register DC at a private school now instead as a back up?

Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated.

what year is this for? Many schools have places, especially after reception and in London there are numerous schools very close to each other. If the school you put first doesn't have a place, they will offer you the next available school on your list (you can list up to 6 in many councils). If there are no places in all those six schools they'll offer you the next nearest school with a place - but it's unlikely there will be six schools with no places. In my kids school it is heavily oversubscribed for reception, but places in most years pop up regularly.

Local authority take a week or two in busy times to offer, but call the school and it can speed it up. The school should be able to tell you if there's a place.

ps - if a school has a place you don't need to wait for council tax proof, they only use your address in the event of a waiting list as the order of waiting list depends on their admissions criteria (those who live first get priority etc - but it differs per school). If there's a place it can all happen very quickly. And as soon as you have one child in the others get priority (in the event of a waiting list).

If there is a place at one of your preferred schools dc will be offered and can start straightaway. If not, another school with a vacancy or if all schools within a"reasonable" travel distance are deemed, full Fair Access Protocol will create a space somewhere, possibly in neighbouring boroughs. If you have more than one dc they may not get places at the same school. You can appeal and/or go on waiting lists for those you might prefer if they are full. How old are dc as under year 2 class size restrictions apply and appeals are harder to win.