School questions

Hi,

Is there a website or someone can explain to me how the school system work in UK?  I mean if I live in a certaiin town, does it mean my kid can only attend the school that's in the same area?  I got a few years before my baby goes to school but I just want to get an idea of the schooling in UK.

You need to know what schools are in your area, go and visit them and ask how to apply. Don't assume that just because a school is near you, you will get a place there. Good luck, it's a flawed system in the UK, I don't like it.

All school admissions in our area (staffordshire) are applied for through our county council. I would check there first. You don't necessarily get the school you live near or the one you want. I know children down the road who live directly across the road from a lovely primary school and go to the other primary school at the other end of the village. 

Contact your local council or if you have one a Children's Information Service.  I know our council (Coventry) has blurbs on their website about all the schools and information about the process of applying for school places. Remember most children in the UK start school the September after they turn 4 so you'd apply the year before.

The application process starts earlier than you think. My son just started reception this past September but the application deadline for his school placement was over a year ago when he was just turning 4. (Jan 2012 for Sept 2012 intake)

You cannot apply to the council until you have a permanent address so if you're thinking of moving, do so to establish residency before the application deadline.

Good luck! School admissions are a (unnecessary, methinks!) mess in this country.