Primary education near Maida Vale

[adagelou]

Dear all, We are starting to look for a primary school for our little one who is 2.5 months old. I am learning how the system for state school works and i wondered if anyone can help me figure out how to select a state school at this stage? I have heard that we need to attend Church every sunday to have a chance on admissions for the catholic schools, does anyone have any information you could share? thank you very much in advance, Anta

You've got about 3 years before you need to apply and schools can change in that time, there will likely be more non catholic schools than Catholic, so keep an eye on the schools in the area. Church of England have different admissions criteria too - i.e. attendance at a CoE Church.
You will only need church attendance if the school in question is over subscribed, but each school has slightly different admissions arrangements.
Speaking to other parents locally will give you a sense of which schools in the area are preferred then you can create a shortlist and check the criteria for each school. If it is a Catholic one you are aiming for check how many years attendance they require, and if they ask for a Baptism certificate -> but again this typically only applies if it's over subscribed.

This is an old post, but I was searching for something similar, so thought I'd respond. YES you absolutely need to go to church if you want a spot in St. Saviours or St. Joseph's. Both are over-subsribed and I've seen reception classes in both schools that are made up of nearly half the class being the younger siblings of students already in the school. St Joseph's has gotten an outstanding Ofstead rating so that has made it more competative now than in years past. It would be difficult (though not impossible) to get in without going to church.