Moving house in summer holidays - what happens re: school?

[RockinSockBunnies]

I'd appreciate some advice. DD is in Yr 4 at our local state primary school, doing just fine, very happy etc.

Having been a single parent since she was born, I've now met someone, fallen in love, and am planning on moving in July/August into a new house with DP, DD and DP's son (for half the time, as DP and his ex have joint custody). It looks like we're going to be relocating to West London (we're in North London now), probably somewhere in the Ealing/Chiswick area.

I've been doing some research on primary schools in the area, noting down which are good etc. But my question is, since we're planning on renting a place first, can I apply to a school for entry into Yr 5 in September (if school has space) without first having found a house (and thus endeavouring to rent a house nearby to a good school), or is it necessary to have moved house first before getting a school place. If the latter, then how on earth do I organise a school place over the summer holidays when we're planning on moving and all the schools are closed for six weeks ?

I'm going to telephone the LEA and some of the possible schools next week (when I have some free time), but wondered if anyone's been in a similar situation or had any advice?

AFAIK you can't get an offer of a place until you have your new address, but the LEA should be able to tell you which schools currently have places so that you can look for a place close to them. When the schools are closed for the summer, you deal direct with the LEA about places - but if you want to look round the schools you should contact them first while they are open and do your look round at that stage, so you know what you're choosing between.

HTH

Thank you! I thought it might be the case. Am slightly tearing my hair out as I start a new, full-on, full-time City job on 6th September, am so nervous about leaving the area that I'm currently in and moving DD, that I just want to get everything as organised as possible and have things go smoothly.