New area, where do I start?

[elizabethtown2]

My DS has just started year 6, we rent in London but planned to move out in a few years.
We've been informed we have to leave the house we rent sooner than we thought (a year). Obviously next month is the time we need to apply for secondary schools but what do I do if we won't be in this area next year?
Assuming you can't apply to a school in a area you don't live yet, what are my options?

We'll take this opportunity to bring the move out forward rather than rent somewhere else in London as it's too expensive and stressful to do it more than once but the whole school situation is stressing me out and I want it to be as smooth as possible for my boy. Tia

There's normally an extension to apply for people moving exact dates vary by LEA. Around here its roughly until start January you have to move and then you still go in the first round. If not you can go on waiting lists once you have moved.

You can also apply from your current address to any school though obviously if its oversubscribed and in a different area you won't get in until you move. I would research schools and try to move by the deadline to get in first round.

Thank you
I was thinking of moving earlier but that would mean him starting at a new primary school half way through year 6 which i want to avoid!