Ask SchoolGuru

Mrs Mummy, St Albans: Thanks for the great site! I'm currently looking into primary schools for my daughter. It looks like we'll miss out on a place at our first-choice school – but we're hoping that we'll get a place there eventually, through the continuing interest system. Am I right to assume that the site works how how likely you are to get a place on allocation day – and this does not take into account places gained later through the continuing interest lists?

SchoolGuru: You're absolutely right – the website gives you a snapshot of what you can expect on allocation day (when the parents who have applied on-time are allocated a particular school). It doesn't take into account the continuing interest lists (ie the waiting lists). Movement on the continuing interest lists is much harder to predict, but the schools should be able to give you a rough idea, informally, of how often places tend to turn up. Bear in mind the following:

• It can take months, or even years, to get a place this way, and so it's not recommended as a strategy. We were 522m from our closest community school (St Peter's) and failed to get a reception place there four years ago. We missed out on a place by just 16m – all our neighbours were successful. We still haven't been offered a place (we kept on the list out of curiosity, even though our children are very happy elsewhere!).

• Rather than pinning your hopes on the one good school, try and think flexibly at this stage, as you're less likely to be disappointed later down the line. Try and find at least one more school that you're happy with – and have a realistic chance of getting into - and include those in your preferences, too.

Good luck!

MegaMum, St Albans: I’ve found a great community primary school, now I’m thinking of moving house to try and get my daughter a reception place. How can SchoolGuru help?

SchoolGuru: Ok, we've got some advice for movers and shakers like you. Click here to find out more. Basically, the Admission Calculator should be your new best friend. Type in the details required for every property you’re considering. You’ll soon see where you need to live to stand a good chance of getting a place.

Remember: SchoolGuru offers predictions for the future, based on the past. There are no guarantees, warranties or Three Degrees... so please bear that in mind when using the site.

Mrs Johnny Depp, Harpenden: Will the order I rank my schools affect my chances of getting in?

SchoolGuru: No, your application will be assessed in exactly the same way, regardless of whether you rank a school first, second or third. All that matters is whether you're entitled to a place under the published admission rules, and for all community and voluntary controlled schools in Hertfordshire, your ranking is irrelevant. Your ranking is only referred to if you qualify under the rules for more than one school. If, say, you’re entitled to a place at both Maple and Wheatfields, and you put Maple first, you'd be offered Maple. If you'd put Wheatfields first, you’d be offered Wheatfields. Please note: the only exception to this is if the school publishes its own rules, and the rules state that your ranking is relevant.

Dodgy Geezer, Garston: I'm thinking of renting a flat near a great school, so that I can get my son in. It would just be for a few months, until he got a place. Is this legit?

SchoolGuru: Ah yes, we know your sort. We asked Herts CC to clarify your position, and the response was as follows: "The address you use on your application form should be your child's current permanent address. 'Permanent' means lasting for a long time, or not expected to change. If you were to rent a property, but maintain your current residence with the intention of moving back to it, then the rented property would clearly not be a 'permanent' address. If we believe an applicant has given incorrect information on their application we will investigate accordingly. All such cases are looked at on an individual basis but, where we believe a school place has been obtained fraudulently, we may withdraw the offer and allocate the child a place at another school, which could be some distance from their home". Some headteachers are also turning detective to ensure that the rules are followed. Hope that's helpful, Mr Geezer.

Ollie's mum, Islington: Can I apply for schools in Herts, even though I live outside the county?

SchoolGuru: Oh yes! For primary schools, please contact the local Admissions and Transport team where your first ranked school is located (call 01438 737500 for more information). All applicants will need to fill in Hertfordshire County Council’s application form. For secondary schools, apply using your own Local Education Authority’s application forms. Your preference for a particular Hertfordshire school will be passed on to Hertfordshire LEA and/or the school, and your application will be considered alongside other applicants. For primary and secondary schools, you will also need to complete the school’s own application forms, and/or or undergo selective testing, if the school requires it. Your application to a Hertfordshire school will be judged according to the published admission criteria, and processed in the same way as is for residents. The fact you live and/or work outside Hertfordshire will not affect your application, unless it is relevant to the admission rules (eg, if the rules state that you need to live in a particular priority area, and you don’t). If you deserve a place under the admissions criteria, or the school is undersubscribed, you will be offered a place. For primary schools, you'll be notified of the outcome by Herts CC. For secondary schools, it will be your own Local Education Authority. Good luck!

Alpha Mum, Tring: How can I apply for junior or middle schools in Herts?

SchoolGuru: There is a separate application process for admissions to junior and middle schools. Applications for places in junior schools need to be made when your child is in year 2; applications for places in middle schools need to be made when your child is in year 4. If your child attends an infant school with a linked junior school, and you wish your child to attend this junior school, you will need to make an application when your child is in year 2. To ask for a 'Joining Junior or Middle School' booklet, phone 01438 737500 or visit Hertfordshire County Council's website.

Smartypants, St Albans: Is there selection by aptitude or ability?

SchoolGuru: Yes, some voluntary-aided and foundation secondary schools select a proportion of pupils by ability or aptitude. If they have a specialism, they may admit up to 10% of pupils on the basis of aptitude in their specialist area(s).If a school is selective, it will be made clear in their published admission rules. Contact the individual schools for more information.

Crazy Dave, Chiswell Green: What are ‘Specialist Schools’?

SchoolGuru: Any maintained (state) secondary school in England can apply for specialist status in one of ten areas: arts, business & enterprise, engineering, humanities, languages, mathematics & computing, music, science, sports and technology. Schools can also combine any two specialisms and some schools now have a second specialism.

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