How to find a state school in London

Whether you are moving from abroad to London, or you are already in London and your children are to start school soon, finding places in London state schools can be a daunting prospect.

The problems with finding a state school in London

The main challenge with finding state schools in London is the lack of places: most state schools are unable to offer places to all the children who apply.

This results in a complex process for parents and schools alike, with schools trying to remain transparent and fair in how they allocate the few places they have, and managing waiting lists which are as secret as the Google algorithm!

The second challenge when looking for a state school is that the schools will not tell you if they have places, or if they don’t.  That means applying for state schools in London is like a shot in the dark, hoping that it will work.

The one thing that is for sure is that any child in London who is of school-age will be granted a place in a school – the question is just which school, and there is no obligation to provide a place in a school near their home if that school has no places available.

NB: In this guide, we use both expressions “state schools” and “public schools”.

In the UK, the name of a school run by the local authority and free for pupils is “state school”.

“Public school” actually means “private school” or “independent school” in the UK!

However, so many other countries use the words “public school” that we also use it in this guide.

To give you a head start, you will find below the methodology that we use when helping clients find a state school in London.

 

Step 1 – Check when you can apply for London state schools

Here are the main rules for a family applying to a state school:

• You cannot apply in advance (except for the Reception level)
• You cannot apply if you do not have a UK address
• You can apply once you are a resident in London

If you are moving from outside of London, this is what it means:

• You have to find and secure your London home before submitting your state school applications
• A proof of address will be required for any state school application

For families moving to London from somewhere else, finding a state school means committing to a London neighbourhood without knowing which local school will have places for their children.

 

 

Step 2 – Research the best state schools in London

Before you start your research, don’t forget to define what a good school is for your child.  Consider the following:

• Academic level
• Type of curriculum
• Other pupils
• Class sizes
• Extra-curricular activities
• Anything else that is really important to you and your child

Here are some resources to get you started with your research:

• For public schools in London, the Ofsted reports will give you a mine of information about each public school in London. Beware, it is addictive!
• The official league tables are also a very good source information

We recommend that you focus on 3 to 6 schools.

If you are overwhelmed with the number of state schools, you might need to narrow down you location options in London first (if you don’t live in London yet).
You can find a list of great neighbourhoods for state schools here: The best London neighbourhoods for state schools

 

Step 3 – Check how to apply for London schools

Applications for state schools in London are usually made with the local London Borough:

• Check with the Borough first if they do take applications for the school(s) you are targeting (or check the schools’ website)
• Some exceptions might apply, for schools with a religious character for example. These schools might take applications directly. Check with them first.
• You will be able to apply for several schools within the Borough.
• You can even indicate an order of preference for your different school choices

 

Step 4 – Proceed with your school applications

Here is how it works for public schools in London:

1. Once you have got your London home, visit your Borough’s website to find out about the school application forms. Most of them are available online.
2. The application documents will let you to indicate up to 6 state schools that you wish to apply for, in order of preference.
3. Fill out the forms, include the required documents (proof of address)
4. Do not omit any required document, as your application with not be processed and you risk getting lost/delayed in the “incomplete” pile
5. If you struggle, you can call their admissions teams, but they sometimes are hard to reach on the phone. However they are usually friendly and helpful.

 

Step 5 – Confirm your school places

Whatever type of school you have chosen, you will receive a response from the school(s) and/or London Borough, and a place or several places offered.

• There is no set time frame for the response, but this can take between a few days and a few weeks.
• A response will be sent once the application is processed, and a place is available in one of the schools you applied for.
• If no places are available in your preferred schools, the Borough will have to find a place somewhere else -this can take more time, so patience will be important.
• Once you have been offered a place, you will always need to confirm acceptance with the London Borough, and sign a form confirming the school place(s).

 

Have you received state school places for your children? Congratulations!

Once that is done, don’t forget to read all the information sent out to you by the school, including where to buy the famous school uniform (not all schools expect it, but many do).

‍If you have secured a place in one of your preferred state schools, congratulations!

If you’re eager to embrace the London lifestyle quickly (fingers crossed!), take a look at our  10 tips on how to settle in successfully in the City.

And remember, London boasts abundant green spaces – hopefully, this guide to the best family parks  will keep your weekends filled with joy!

Good luck with finding the best London state school for your children!

 

Consult with Simply London

Consulting with Simply London empowers you with personalised guidance on school admissions and deadlines based on individual circumstances – so you can make your application at the right time and provide the correct supporting documents.  Contact us today to ensure you make informed decisions for your child’s education journey.

FAQ’s

• Do state schools require entrance exams?  State schools do not require an entrance exam, except Grammar Schools which are the only selective state schools. However there are very few of them in London, and they are heavily oversubscribed.
• Do state schools require previous school records? State schools do not require any school records, they are not selective and will take children purely based on their age, and the admissions criteria.
• Do we have to apply to schools in our Borough, or can we apply to schools in other Boroughs? It is possible to apply for state schools in other London Boroughs. Contact your local council to enquire. Some Boroughs will centralise applications, including those for other Boroughs, others will want you to make a direct application with the other Borough.
• How do I find local schools in my catchment area? Check out our London schools map.

Useful Resources 

Here are some resources that we think may be of use with your preparation in applying to a London grammar school. 

• 11 Plus Guide A free, authoritative and independent guide for parents helping their child to prepare for the 11 Plus. https://www.11plusguide.com 
• Atom Learning Award-winning online learning for ages 7-11, helping to take the stress out of the 11 plus with a tailored preparation programme. https://atomlearning.com 
• Exam Paper Plus Specific 11 Plus Exam Practise Papers to cover every school, board, topic and exam type. https://exampapersplus.co.uk/papers/eleven-plus/ 
• Keystone Tutors One of the UK’s leading private tutoring organisations, tutors are predominantly based in London and work online with families based outside of London or overseas. https://www.keystonetutors.com/tutors/11-plus-tutors

Testimonials

Simply London was essential to my family’s move. We wanted a comfortable rental with good state schools, with a reasonable commute. This required a lot of juggling: interviewing us to understand what we wanted; guiding us through the property visits, herding the various parties to execute in an expedient manner so the school application could be completed on time. – Mary W.

We moved to London for work and Simply London accompanied us throughout the process of searching for a house and registering our two children at school. It was the best decision we made! Today our children attend two excellent schools that are less than a 10-minute walk from our house. I only have words of thanks! – Paula D. 

 

Article published 7th April 2024