Hello

Hoping to get some advice please.

Our family is planning to move back to Birmingham from Dubai in July. DS is currently in Year 5, and we are planning on moving back to our residence that is inside the catchment area.

Do the Birmingham Grammar Schools allow children to sit the exam if they have previously studied abroad?

If we are moving back after the test registration deadline- will this have any effect on the application?

Many thanks in advance!

Hi,
I think it would be worth emailing the Schools of King Edward office with your queries.
They will be able to answer the question about moving back after the registration deadline.

mailto:admissions@ske.uk.net

Best wishes to your son with his 11+ journey

There is no problem with taking the test if your child has been educated abroad.

there are two other things to note - one is that the details of the test will be sent to your home address at the end of August so presumably there then - the other thing is to check with the foundation about when you have to be in residence in order to apply for the school - I suspect it is 31.10.2020, the day the CAF have to be in place.

Have you got a school sorted out for year 6?

Thank you so much for the advice.

I guess I will need to send an email to the schools quite quickly then.

As this decision has only just been made over the last couple of weeks (my husband’s work situation has changed due to corona virus), we haven’t even begun looking at schools for the kids. I guess I will need to look into that quite quickly also. Any advice on where to start? (My sincere apologies in advance for any questions that may seem quite basic - I grew up in the US and we are simultaneously trying to tackle my UK visa process whilst under lockdown).

Thanks in advance!

Hi. What a lot to plan in these uncertain times!

Will you be looking for primary school as well as secondary school places? I’m assuming that your house is in Birmingham? The schools admissions section of the council website will give you a place to start the school search.

The admissions booklet will give an indication of the furthest child admitted to a particular school; however this will vary year to year depending on the number of applicants/ popularity of the school. The council hasn’t published the 2020 admission data yet, so it’s worth bearing in mind that the 2019 intake was from a birth boom year.

I would strongly advise having at least one non- grammar school that you and your child are happy with (my child was initially offered the 3rd choice school even though we are in a grammar catchment). Don’t get too hung up with the most recent exam results- there’s quite a few years between now and your child’s GCSEs and a lot can change with a school in that time.

In normal circumstances it’s good to visit schools on a normal school day rather than the open evenings as you get a better feel for the behaviour, engagement etc. With the current situation this more than likely won’t be won’t be possible, but fingers crossed things are more normal in September. Doesn’t give you much time to decide though before applying!

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/2011 ... admissions

And also remember that if you are looking to live "in Birmingham" that could also include the outer areas such as Solihull, Worcestershire etc which won't be in the newly-introduced grammar catchments but could offer different housing and school options in suburban/ semi-rural areas within the usual Birmingham commuting radius (although given that's we'll be all working from home for the foreseeable future, maybe commuting to London/ Birmingham etc will become less important and a house with space for vegetables and chickens more desirable!)

I suspect it will all seem very green here compared to Dubai... all the best at what would be a stressful time even without a global pandemic !

Thank you all so much for your kindness and helpful replies. It means so much!