Registration for Public Schools

How early should I register my child for public school?

You may have heard alarming stories about the length of waiting lists, particularly at some of the most popular public schools. There is certainly fierce competition for places and it is never too early to begin looking at the options. Some schools offer regular Open Days. These can be valuable for parents with young children as a means of gaining a few first impressions and points of comparison before registering with those which seem most suitable. However, because family circumstances may change, for example if parents move away from the area, there may be occasional vacancies arising at any time.

For schools away from major cities and for boarding schools the pressure for places is normally less intense, but it is a good idea to register with schools at least two years before your child is due to start. If you are looking for a public school this allows you to assess your child's progress during preparatory or primary school and consider which public school would be most suitable.

Most schools charge a non-refundable registration fee to discourage parents who are not seriously considering the school as an option. Schools will normally asked you to confirm your choice one way or the other between 6 and 11 months before entry.