When are bulge primary schools announced?

[Spooner]

Hi

.,

I'd love to know when it's announced which primary schools will be bulging for Sept 2014. Does anyone know?

In previous years, is it before the deadline for applications is due in January? I can imagine it would impact which 6 schools you apply for.

Thanks a lot

[bonacara]

Would also like to know,does anybody know? Thanks

[Renata Hamvas]

Last year it was in December, ie before the submission deadline.

Renata

[Spooner]

That's great Renata thanks. I've get a message from the Southwark Parent Partnership that this will likely be February time for this round of applications. Ie not before the submission deadline which is a shame.

[alieh]

There were also some very late bulge classes announced this year, for e.g., Fairlawn was July or August? So not something you can plan around unfortunately!

[ladywotlunches]

It would be worth asking the question when you go to visit the schools you are putting down, as to whether they think they have capacity to take a bulge class. Have they taken one in the last couple of years for instance, which may mean they are 'off' the list this year - unless they have a lot of space, such as at a school like Kilmorie (Forest Hill, but could still be relevant) which bulged to 4 form entry this year.

[alieh]

It definitely can't hurt to ask, but based on this year....Horniman told us in January they were very likely to bulge (didn't) and Fairlawn said they definitely weren't going to bulge (did).

Argh!

[oimissus]

they don't know. Fairlawn didn't choose to bulge, they were told to by Lewisham council in July. They don't want to this year (don't have the capacity as they only have one hall in which to do all lunches, games, assemblies) but if Lewisham say they have to then they will. But Lyndhurst, for example, seem pretty definite that they won't as they have building works going on.

[fapl]

5 schools in Lewisham were late emergency bulges.

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10578463.Lewisham_Council_accused_of_keeping_primary_school_place_shortage__under_wraps_/

[fleurie]

Horniman are definitely bulging next year (2014)

[ladywotlunches]

I think trying to second guess the system is impossible. The best advice I was given by the (then) head of Fairlawn when we were applying a few years ago, was to put your absolute top choices first, (then if you don't get in first round, you'll still be on the list for a late bulge as happened this year), and follow with the ones you think are likely. The schools don't get given the information about where you put them on the list - they just apply the entry criteria to the list and offer places to everyone that meet the criteria, in order. Then the LEA allocate the places for you at the school you were offered a place highest up the list.

Of course, you also need to bear in mind the reality of distances - if you live on the North side of East Dulwich for instance, no amount of bulging will get you a place at Fairlawn (say).

[acb2013]

Does anyone know from previous years how much difference a bulge class makes to admissions for a very popular school such as Fairlawn or Horniman? How much further did the furthest distance become from which the furthest away child was offered a place?

[prm]

If you google the Lewisham Starting School booklets for each year they include distances for the previous year and indicate which ones bulged.

[Mellors]

Really nobody knows.

The last bulge at Horniman was in 2011. As far as I recall (without googling it) the distance went out to about 1500 metres (about Friern Road/across to the nearside of Nunhead/parts of upper Sydenham) instead of the usual couple of hundred metres. Its all relative though, because that bulge in istelf has created lots more siblings who will take up some of the extra spaces in next year's bulge. It seems to vary quite a bit on sibling places from year to year in any event. Given you have six choices, I'd definitely be consdering putting down a bulging school if you think you are in with a chance (although also bear in mind that every one else will as well!).

[Mellors]

I also totally agree with everything ladywotlunches says. Put them in your genuine order of preference and be realistic, even taking bulges into account.