Navigating the Primary School Application Process and Place Shortage in St. Albans
We’re currently in the process of looking at primary schools in anticipation of applying for a reception place four our child, soon to turn four, at the end of January. Like many people, we’ve always been told that there are lots of great schools in St. Albans and, based on the Ofsted reports for many local schools, this is absolutely true. But we’ve also learned, during our school tours and through speaking with neighbours, that actually securing a school place for our child at our top choice, which is located just over 1km (6/10ths of a mile) from our home – making it easy walking distance – is far from certain. In fact, it would seem unlikely as there is a school place shortage in central St. Albans.
If you, like us, are in the process of deciding what schools to list as your top three choices, you might be interested in the article I posted yesterday about our experience, which outlines the process and provides links to official information, useful. Have a look: http://www.stalbanspeople.co.uk/news/School-Place-Shortage-Applying-Schools-St-Albans/article-1700395-detail/article.html
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Not sure which school you are trying for to advise how hard it will be… but if like us, you live just out of catchment of ALL the good schools you will have a major fight on your hands! get ready and get prepared to FIGHT for the right to send your child to a DECENT school. I put down 1) Aboyne, 2) Prae Wood and 3) maple. I was given Margaret wix… I read the reports, checked the school website and word of mouth then said no way! I appealed and failed, then stayed on continued interest. After a set date the School Allocations decide it’s no longer their job to find your child a school and tell you to just “ring around” and do it yourself!! So after ringing around I found Bernards Health, wasn’t entirely happy, But better than nothing. It had got to the summer hols and we were only just set. Come BACK from summer hols to one of choices offering us a place!! Which we snapped up! I’m just so so glad that now I can relax as siblings go to the same school, so I don’t have to worry until Secondary school!!
Good luck, and you better get a move on… the deadline is 29th Jan, isn’t it? my Youngest is 3-4 so I already applied for the same school as eldest.