What do I do about getting DS#1 into a secondary school?

[OrmIrian]

Is it like starting primary - LEA contact us and we go from there? Or are we supposed to be proactive and get the ball rolling ourselves? DS is in yr 5 btw. It hadn't occurred to me to think about it before now, but so many other parents asked me where he was going to go, that I've begun to worry.

[princesscc]

I don't know where you are in the country, but I wouldn't leave it to chance that your LEA are going to contact you. It can't do any harm to give the local Ed department a call and ask. Here in NE Kent, we take the 11+, so if your child is at a school within the bourough, you do automatically get the info you need, when you need it, but I understand from people outstand our borough, that you have to make the first move.

[princesscc]

That was really badly typed! - I hope it made sense!

[OrmIrian]

Thanks princess. Glad I asked! I'll have a nosey round the LEA website for a start...

[Hallgerda]

Be proactive - it's down to you. Start now

I would have a good look at the websites for your local schools, and the OFSTED reports, as a starting point. Look into what the admissions arrangements are and when you have to get forms in - some selective schools are holding their tests at the very start of Year 6 in order that applicants know whether they've passed before the October deadline for the big form. Also find out times for open days and tests (if applicable) - if there are early tests, there may well be early open days.

[OrmIrian]

Thanks Hallgerda. I know the 2 schools I'd quite like him to go to and I'm afraid that those are the only choices we're giving him . He just wants to stay with his mates but if that means going to one of the other 2 schools in the town that is not happening. And yes, they really are that bad.

I rang the LEA and they will contact us when it's time to apply but we can contact the schools directly to visit whenever we like. Planning to have a good look at the individual schools sites tonight with DH.

[portonovo]

In our county, the secondary schools start their open days/evenings in the June in which the child is in Yr 5. Every child then brings home an application form in the Sept they are in Yr 6, and applications have to be in mid-October.

Here it's an ongoing thing anyway - each Yr5 class in the town gets to spend a whole day (with all their class and their teacher) at each of the two main secondary schools.

LEA website is usually a good starting point.

[OrmIrian]

According to the schools individual websites they send out letters to all the primary schools in the town.

portonovo - I have a feeling that that happens here too. Now I think about it I am sure that I can recall last years yr5s doing this.