Moving year 8 intake Hertfordshire

[Jasmine79]

Hello we are moving out of London to St Albans. we are a few weeks away from Exchange. So hoping all goes well my daughter will need a new school I’ve looked on the internet and most schools look good we would prefer the catholic route as that’s what she is in and we like the ethics. But we are open to other schools we just want a school that’s not to far but good with well managed children. I’m so confused on how to get a school mid year and what if no near school can fit her in. It’s scaring me a lot. What are people’s experience when should I be applying after Exchange? Thanks

You may struggle to get a school place at a high school in St Albans as they have more children that need places then they have places.

I would contact the local education department and ask them about school places and how to do an in year transfer.

www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/school-admissions/in-year-admissions-change-schools-during-the-year/in-year-admissions-change-school-during-the-year.aspx

Whereabouts in London are you? Is there any way your dd could continue at her current school for a while after you move? St Albans has good rail links into London.

Contacts the heads of school, and do it as soon as possible. Find out what places are available. The sooner you get the ball rolling, the better.

Most schools in St Albans are good, and sought after.

Beaumont is one of the best. My nephew goes there.

Think most are ok though.
Avoid Hatfield (next town) apart from bishops but that’s a girls school so it depends on your feelings on those.

Here are the schools in St Albans and you can see that very few have any in year vacancies.

Thanks apparently the catholic schools don’t show there places I have to apply to them direct for in year places

Don’t panic there are a couple of options. Loreto and Nicholas Breakspear are catholic although have more mixed intake than you’d expect. Townsend is Christian but again a mix go there. As Nicky B and Townsend are on the edges of town they are not as tricky to get in as some schools. Beaumont, sandringham etc are tricky to get in as distance and waiting lists are a factor even if a vacancy comes up (they do sometimes). There is private girls school too if you get stuck.