Secondary School Admissions ...

yus786

Hi

My elders will soon be finishing Y4 (well in about 8 weeks) and like majority of us out there - i really really want to get him into a good school.

The school immediately in out catchment area are not very good (second and third from bottom according to BBC's league tables).

The 3 schools i have in mind are a bit further away but i know kids in my area who attend - so i know it's do-able.

My questions

1. When does the application process start?
2. Can i visit the schools say NOW and start making enquiries?
3. All 3 schools are C of E schools but the one i really have my eyes on only has about 5% of kids from the ethnic minority. Now being a Muslim - would that be a problem to get in?

Many thanks

bunty109

The application process starts at the beginning of Year 6 and there should be open days the start of hte Autumn Term. You could go along to those (I did with my daighter in year 5).

I'm afraid I don't know the answer about the ethnic minority question. If you aren't CofE but are of another faith, then often a commitment to a faith would give you a reason to be considered for a Church school.

You need to look at the entrance criteria for the schools you are interested in but remember that they may change between now and when you will apply.

Also, look at the local schools too - you may find they have a new Head or teaching staff that might not be reflected in their poor ratings. It may be their whole ethos suits your child better. It may not be the case, but at least you will know why the other schools are your preferences!

Good luck!

chmmy

In september, schools will have their open evenings. You can visit schools then and pick up their application forms and admissions criteria. A school may also publish its admissions criteria on its website. If you go this sept, you will be well informed of your choices and chances for when it's your turn to apply. In my area CofE schools offer a percentage of either other faith places or community places, but to be honest these places will usually go to those living closest to the school, if the school is heavily oversubscribed.

DS is in Year 8 at the local city academy,(not our first choice!). I dont think he's getting much of an education:eek: but he's made some really good friends(all the boys in our street go there), never been bullied, and gets to play a lot of football, and he enjoys school. I can remember worrying myself sick about it all, as when we had to think about applying he was jsut a child who never went anywhere without us, but by the time he'd started he was nearly as tall as me, so it hasnt been anything like I was dreading.

Smashing

Don't make the mistake of going purely by league tables -visit the schools, talk to the parents etc. Also consider the distance, the size of the classes, facilities etc. A high achieving school and a happy school are not necessarily the same thing.

MattB_4

Also remember schools change. My old school went from being one of the top in the area to special measures over a period of 5 years.