Parent Guides
Comprehensive guides to help you navigate your child's educational journey and make informed decisions about their schooling.
Your trusted resource for educational guidanceChoosing the Right Primary School
Finding the perfect school for your child requires careful consideration of multiple factors.
Key Factors to Consider
- Academic Performance: Check Ofsted ratings and test results
- Location & Transport: Consider distance and travel options
- School Culture: Visit to understand the environment
- Class Sizes: Smaller classes often mean more attention
- Special Needs Support: Check SEND provisions if needed
- Extracurricular Activities: Sports, arts, and clubs available
Questions to Ask
- What is the school's approach to teaching literacy and numeracy?
- How do you support children who are struggling or excelling?
- What homework policy do you have?
- How do you handle bullying incidents?
- What support is available for anxious children?
- How do you communicate with parents?
Primary School Application Process
A step-by-step guide to applying for primary school places in the UK.
Research Schools (September - October)
Start researching schools in your area. Attend open days and visit schools.
- Use our school search tool to find local schools
- Read Ofsted reports and parent reviews
- Book school visits and open day appointments
Submit Application (October - January)
Apply through your local authority's online portal.
- List up to 3 school preferences in order
- Provide all required documentation
- Submit before the deadline (usually mid-January)
Wait for Results (January - April)
Results are typically released on National Offer Day in April.
- Check your email and local authority portal
- You'll receive an offer for one school
- Consider your options if not offered preferred school
Accept or Appeal (April - May)
Accept your offer or consider appealing if dissatisfied.
- Accept the offered place within the deadline
- Join waiting lists for preferred schools
- Submit appeals if you have valid grounds
Important Deadlines
- Application Deadline: Mid-January
- National Offer Day: Mid-April
- Accept Deadline: Early May
- Appeal Deadline: Late May
Required Documents
- Child's birth certificate
- Proof of address (council tax/utility bill)
- Religious faith evidence (if applicable)
- Medical evidence (if relevant to application)
Preparing Your Child for School
Help your child start school with confidence through proper preparation.
Academic Readiness
Read daily with your child, focusing on enjoyment rather than perfection.
Help them recognize letters in their name and common words.
Practice counting to 20 and recognizing numbers 1-10.
Encourage drawing, coloring, and using scissors safely.
Social & Emotional Readiness
Toilet training, putting on shoes, and managing lunchboxes.
Practice listening and following 2-3 step instructions.
Sharing, taking turns, and playing with other children.
Practice short separations to build confidence.
Summer Preparation Checklist
- Visit the school playground
- Practice the school routine at home
- Read books about starting school
- Label all school items
- Practice wearing school uniform
- Arrange playdates with future classmates
Supporting Your Child Through Transitions
Every child adapts differently to new environments. Here's how to provide the right support.
Emotional Support
- Acknowledge their feelings
- Create comfort routines
- Maintain positive communication
- Celebrate small victories
Communication
- Talk about their school day
- Stay in touch with teachers
- Address concerns promptly
- Join parent groups/forums
Routine Building
- Consistent bedtime schedule
- Morning routine practice
- After-school wind-down time
- Weekend structure maintenance
When to Seek Additional Help
Contact the school if your child shows persistent signs of distress, regression in behavior, physical symptoms of anxiety, or refuses to go to school for more than a week.
Supporting Learning at Home
Create a supportive learning environment that complements school education.
Creating a Learning Space
- Designate a quiet homework area
- Ensure good lighting and comfortable seating
- Stock with necessary supplies
- Minimize distractions (TV, noise)
- Display encouraging posters or artwork
Homework Support
Best Practices:
- Set a consistent homework time
- Break tasks into manageable chunks
- Provide guidance, not answers
- Celebrate effort over perfection
- Communicate with teachers about difficulties
Age-Appropriate Expectations:
- Reception: 10 minutes reading
- Year 1-2: 20-30 minutes total
- Year 3-4: 30-45 minutes total
- Year 5-6: 45-60 minutes total
Enrichment Activities
Reading
Library visits, bedtime stories, audiobooksNumeracy
Cooking measurements, money handling, gamesScience
Nature walks, experiments, documentariesCreative
Art projects, music, drama, writingHelpful Resources & Links
Official Resources
Useful Apps & Tools
Educational Apps
- Reading Eggs
- Numbots
- BBC iPlayer Kids
- Scratch Jr
Planning Tools
- School calendar apps
- Homework planners
- Uniform organizers
- Activity trackers
Communication
- School messaging apps
- Parent WhatsApp groups
- Email filters
- Calendar sync tools
Need More Help?
Our education experts are here to help you navigate your child's school journey.