Eduction is high on the agenda for most parents. Some even move house before getting pregnant in order to secure the ‘right school’ for their child.
The whole experience can be very new and daunting so we’ve put this information together to try and dispel the myths around the primary school admissions process.
Do I need to put my newborn baby’s name down for a school?
No – Putting your child’s name down on a school waiting list will have no impact on whether they get into the school or not. The only benefit to doing this, is that you will then be on the school mailing list. They will then contact you when they have an open day a year before your child is due to start school.
Does going to the preschool guarantee entry to the school?
No – this makes no difference what-so-ever.
When is my child due to start school?
In the September after their 4th birthday. It is that simple. You can however delay their start depending on the individual school’s policy. Your child must have started school by the age of 5.
My baby is born in the summer, can they start school later?
Education Bradford’s policy on this is very clear. Even if your child is born at 11.30pm on 31st August, there will be no concession. Parents can delay the start of school but the child cannot be held back a year and allowed to start Reception when they have just turned 5. Visit the Bradford Education website for further details.
How do I choose a school?
A good way to find out about a local school is to look at their most recent Ofsed report. These are helpfully published on the Ofsted website. However, these can be a bit technical and quite boring to read.
Ultimately, you need to look round the school yourself with your child and decide what you think. It is worth leaving this until just before you need to fill out your application form as the feel of a school can change over time.
Other factors to consider are:
- how close is the school to your home and how easy it will be to walk there
- do any of your child’s friends go to that school
- does the school have a nursery
- how much outside space is there
What criteria is used to determine who gets a place?
In general terms, places are allocated in the following order:
- Children in public care
- Children who have an older sibling who will be attending the school when they are due to start (and live at the same address)
- Children who live near the school
Some schools have a ‘priority admission area’ (e.g. Ben Rhydding school). They prioritise children who live in this area.
Faith schools often prioritise children whose parents are regular churchgoers.
For example, All Saints Primary School in Ilkley allocate up to 50% of their remaining places (once they have taken children in public care and siblings) to children whose parents are practicing members of a Christian church. By practising, they mean that you need to go at least once a fortnight for 3 years.
Similarly, East Morton CE primary school prioritise children who live in their priority area AND whose parents are members of a Christian Church.
How does the primary school application process work?
- Step 1 – Choose your school(s)
A year before your child is due to go to school, is a good time to look round your local primary schools. Many schools will have open days. Others, arrange for you to go round the school individually. Simply ring the school and ask for details. For contact details of your local school, visit the Eduction Bradford website.
- Step 2 – Fill out the application form
Around November/December of the year before your child is due to start school, you will be asked to complete an application form (online or paper form). You will need to name your top 3 primary schools in order of preference.
- Step 3 – WAIT for the decision
It takes the local authority until around April time to decide which child goes where. You’ll get a letter or an email to tell you.
What should you do if you’re not happy with the decision?
You have a right to appeal against the decision. This is worth doing if you have genuine reasons – e.g.: you have twins and they have each been sent to a different school.
If your reason is that you just like the other school better, it might just be worth going on their waiting list and sitting it out until a place becomes available. This may be after school has started in September.
How does it work for independent primary schools?
Caroline from Moorfield School says:
Girls can join Moorfield School in any year group at any time of year. We take girls from the age of rising two and a half to eleven years and from September 2011, boys in nursery.
You then need to submit a Registration Form together with the £30 Registration fee. Provided there is room for your daughter in the appropriate class for her age and there is no apparent reason for the school not to offer a place, we will write with a formal offer of a place at Moorfield School.
In order to reserve a place for your child, complete and sign the Acceptance Form and return to the School along with your deposit for £250. This deposit will be set against your final bill at Moorfield and you will receive a cheque for the balance.
More information
There is useful general information on the direct gov website.
For local information, visit your local authority’s website:
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