How to choose – and apply for – a school...

But life has changed since most of us simply pottered off to the nearest local school. Now, especially in urban areas like London, finding a school is a lesson in itself! What's most important is not to wait for someone to tell you to apply. Admission to primary (and secondary) schools is not automatic. So, if you don’t get moving, you might miss the boat completely.

Most local authorities (LAs) publish a leaflet or book about the process. These may be advertised in your local doctor’s surgery or library or you could try your LA’s website. You can also look up state schools in your area on the government’s Schools Finder website, schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk.

There is also a new search facility for schools called www.edubase.gov.uk. It allows you to search all educational establishments, including nurseries and independent schools.

Top Tips

1. Always find out about the admission criteria. They may be very specific (for a faith school, for example) and your child won’t get in if you don’t fit them. The school will tell you what they are.


2. Check how near you need to live to that great state school which appears to be on your doorstep. - this is the infamous “catchment”, and it can be measured in all sorts of ways, straight-line distance, shortest walking route or shortest route with street-lighting from the school!


3. Make sure you visit, and speak to other local parents - something which looks terrific on paper may not actually feel right to you in reality.


4. Read the Ofsted reports and take notice if they have been done within the last few years. Ofsted carries out regular inspections of schools and puts all its reports online. You can search for local schools under the inspections page www.ofsted.gov.uk.


5. If you’re interested in a private school, look at the Independent Schools Council website, which has a helpful Parents Zone section www.isc.co.uk.


6. Private schools often have smaller class sizes and excellent facilities. But they are also extremely costly. Every private school must be registered with the Department for Education and they are regularly monitored by either Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate www.isi.net.

Sarah Ebner is the author of the Starting School Survival Guide: everything you need to know when your child starts primary school, published by White Ladder.

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