how to tackle this best?

[Vincencia]

Hello,
I wonder,if somebody got some good advice for me.
Here is our situation:We lived the last 5 years in Canada and moved back to the UK in November 2011 when we temporaly moved to Bucks.The children are now in year 7 and 9.(it was one year down in Canada)As we are doing our permanent move during the summerbrake,I want to make shure,the school they are going to will suit them and they can finish it there too.
We are looking to rent a house nearer to London,probably around Kingston,Teddington.It will have to be a state school.We rang a few schools up,to ask them, if we could come round and have a look but this,so we have been told,is not the way it works.First we move into the area,then we applay for a place in school.
How can I ask for a place in school,when I have not seen it?We also would not rent that house nearby if I dont like the school. We have also been told,that after we move in,they find us a school within 3 Miles if possible. Do we have to take any schoo they send us too? I am also thinking about putting my boy(now yar 9)back into year 9 again,as he had a difficult start with jumping from 8 to 9 and also,how will it work with his chosen GCSEs?He is one of the youngest in class anyway.Who do I have to talk to about this?
I am totally upset/desperate about this.
Please excause the mistakes,as my first language is german.

Hi Vincencia. I understand where you're coming from - you want to see the schools first before committing yourself to renting in the area to get into the catchment. I'm surprised the schools won't at least let you have a look around as I managed to do this 5 years ago when I was in a similar situation to you. Is there any open day coming up at the schools you want to look at? Did you speak to the school secretary and ask if you could be shown round for a short time just to get a feel of the place? That shouldn't be too disruptive. I would also maybe say you'll be moving into the area in a few weeks and you're undecided which school to go for. If they say they're full up just say well there is the appeals process. I would also maybe email the head teacher directly, which is what I did. They were all really courteous and said it was no problem. The other thing to do is check Ofsted reports for the schools (but take it all with a pinch of salt) and to maybe ask directly on Mumsnet if anyone has any views on these schools or ask around near the schools - say if you're in a cafe or shop just ask someone if the school is any good.

I don't know how it works holding your son back a year. It might be a good idea. I think they choose their GCSEs in year 9 so if he can redo the year then he'll get to choose them. Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll get it sorted.

thank you for your tips,Tapliope
regards Vincencia

You will NOT be able to hold your chld back a year unless you send him to a private school - state schools just don't work like that.

You shoudl also bear in mind that good state schools in the areas you mention will be full up, and yes you apply to the Local Authority (Council) for a place normally. The council will have to find your chldren places, but they will be allocated schools where there is space for them in their year groups. They will in all likelihood be placed at unpopular (poorly performing etc) schools. They may even be placed at different schools.

If the schools they are allocated are more than three miles walking distance, the council will cover the cost of the children's transport (often they will be given a bus pass, though as children travel free on buses in London this may not be the case).

You can identify a school you would prefer them to go to, then appeal for it if the council says there are no vacancies. In an appeal you would have to put forward a case stating why that school, AND ONLY THAT SCHOOL, is suitable for your child - there are appeal experts here that can help with that. However you need to have moved and applied to your preferred school before anything can happen.

I would be very insistent when you phone the schools - tell them you are moving in the next few weeks. In the meantime check out ofsted reports, GCSE results, value added results etc - all available on the web.

Oh and most schools start GCSE teaching in year 10 so your oldest shoudl be fine, although eh may not get thechoice of subjects that he has now, although if he has a talent in a particular subject that isn't offered at the school he gets placed at you can use this in your appeal as a reason he needs to go to the school you have chosen.