Changing schools

neneromanova

Me Again :beer:

We have decided on Colchester :j

Looking forward, fingers crossed we can move this year, but if we can't get the debts a bit lower, it could be next year which is fine.

DD1 is going into year 6 in september so we'll be starting to look for secondary schools to apply for. Obviously there's no point in applying for a school place around here as she won't be attending at all. How do I apply for one of the schools in Colchester? Is it better to contact the council there or will they tell me to jog on?

DD2 is going to start year 4 next year so I take it that will just be an in school transfer? or is it done differently?

DS1 is starting reception this september so we've already applied for a place in the same school the girls go to, but again, I take it it'll be like transferring DD2?

It's all so confusing. Especially looking up things for DD1.

Thanks

thorsoak

Glad that you've made your decision!

Look here for primary schools :- https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=primary+schools+in+colchester+essex&oq=primary+schools+in+colchester&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.10336j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

And here for secondardy schools :- https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=primary+schools+in+colchester+essex&oq=primary+schools+in+colchester&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.10336j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Check up on this website for how to apply for secondary school places :- https://www.essex.gov.uk/News/Pages/Apply-for-secondary-school-places.aspx

Colchester County High School for Girls is and has been consistently one of the best performing schools in the country -and entrance is by test, so if DD1 is academically strong, might be worth looking at that.

I hope this is of some help to you - good luck ....and pay a visit to Mersea Island (but check tide table first :-D)

thorsoak

Have just seen this in the Colchester Gazette - hope it might be of use!
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/15828881.Top_20_Colchester_primary_schools_as_deadline_for_school_places_approaches/?ref=mr&lp=11

maman

I don't know the area but if you're moving anywhere that the schools are popular and heavily subscribed I don't think you'll be offered a place until you have an address.

jackieblack

https://www.essex.gov.uk/Education-Schools/Schools/Admissions/Pages/Admissions.aspx

All schools have their own admissions policies.
You may need to have exchanged contracts (if buying) or have signed rental agreement (if renting while you find somewhere to buy) before being offered a school place.

neneromanova

I thought I would update this thread just incase anyone needs the answer by searching on google or anything

I emailed Essex council who were useless. Just a standard reply of ring this number, go to this web page etc etc. I emailed the Admissions section and got a great in depth response It's posted below. It clears up so many questions for us

Good afternoon,


Thank you for your email. By the time you move the children will require a mid year primary transfer, you can by all means contact local schools for info but a place can only be confirmed once a formal offer is received from the local authority. You can submit a mid year primary application from any address. Mid-year applications will not ordinarily be determined until the half term prior to the requested admission date, please only submit your mid years at that time as they may be returned if too early.


When you come to submit a mid-year application for Essex primary schools you can do so online by following the link below:


https://forms.essex.gov.uk/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=GQVfa8PyNTS&HideAll=1


Once you have submitted your mid year applications we will request address evidence from you, If we are unable to offer any of your preferences and you are able to provide evidence of your new address in Essex, we can support you in seeking a place at the nearest under subscribed school.


With regards to your eldest daughter's secondary school application the process is slightly different. When applying for a child to start reception or secondary school for the first time you must apply to your own local authority. If at the time you are still resident in Devon and do not have sufficient evidence of an Essex address you will need to apply to your own local authority but you can specify Essex school preferences. The application would then be determined using your Devon address. You can then keep an eye on when the Essex address evidence deadlines are also, if you later get Essex address evidence and submit it before our address evidence deadline we will take over the application and it will then be determined from your Essex address.


If by the time you come to apply you have sufficient evidence of an Essex address you can apply for Essex schools to the Essex local authority and your application will be determined using your new Essex address. Our online secondary application process will open roughly September 2018, please keep an eye on our website closer to the time for specific dates.

maman

Thanks for doing that. You obviously got the right advice about needing an address in Essex.

Although you'll be considered by secondary schools, being so far out of catchment area (!) you're unlikely to get an offer from a popular school unless Essex schools have loads of space.

alwaysskint96

Colchester also have grammar schools so may be worth thinking of entering your child for the 11 plus for that. When my daughter did 11plus at chelmsford there were quite a few families from out of area planning to move in if offered school place

jackieblack

alwaysskint96 wrote: »

Colchester also have grammar schools so may be worth thinking of entering your child for the 11 plus for that. When my daughter did 11plus at chelmsford there were quite a few families from out of area planning to move in if offered school place

If you are interested in 11+ and the grammar schools, information is here http://www.csse.org.uk

neneromanova

I don't think the grammar school would be good for my eldest as she struggle a little with school. I'd definitely look at it for DD2 as she's such a bright girl. DD1 is more like me bless her.