As soon as the new school term began in September 2002 we knew it would be a hectic time for us.

Our eldest was getting ready for first term at university and away from home.

Forms came and went from the university, accommodation office, student loan company and bank (for a new student account) - and then there was the packing.

Not only for clothes and bedding but also all the necessary gear for the various out of study time activities that we encouraged our child to participate in for so many years and hopefully would be able to carry on with at university.

We are now still waiting to be offered a place at a school

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Then there was the computer to think about. Should we buy a laptop or a desktop? And what software packages should the computer have?

Finally there was the kitchen utensils and food that we had to get ready so that upon arrival at university, having driven for a number of hours and having to unload and tidy up, we did not have rush to the shops to buy this and that.

All in all it was like moving house.

However it was all worth it in the end because our child settled in well and had no worries about having to rush to buy any accessories as it was all there already.

Admissions maze

Our second child commenced Year 6 (final year) in primary school and this meant getting in touch with secondary schools to find out when they would hold their open evenings and also get their websites for a quick preview.

Our enquiries centred on state schools with a good ethos and discipline and excluded private and single-sex schools.

October was a busy month with open evenings finishing late at night and therefore all other out-of-school activities had to be rearranged/fitted in as best we could.

We viewed a number of schools outside the borough together with some local ones.

There is a lot to do before heading off for university

Unlike the first time we looked at secondary schools seven years ago, this time we found that most schools needed a number of criteria if a child did not have a sibling at the school already.

One had to be in the catchment area or have a parent working at the school.

If not, the child would have to prove that he/she had academic ability by sitting an entry exam, and music ability and sports ability would be additional pluses.

Having by now done all the entry exams for academic ability one of the schools needs to check on the music ability and the workshop is organised on a Sunday afternoon this month.

Entry exams varied from having to sit them at 08:00 on a weekday to 08:30 on a Saturday morning.

Waiting game

All this has taken place in the autumn term for a young 11 year old.

School homework and projects still had to be completed on time and participation in out-of-school activities went on as normal (so vital now to secure a place at a school and later even at university) as if nothing new was taking place.

Nevertheless, our child gets very nervous before sitting for an exam but also wants to do well and get into a good secondary school.

There is also the pressure from other school friends doing the same exams and one does not want to underperform in front of friends.

We are now still waiting to be offered a place at a school - hopefully it will be one of the schools that we want our child to attend and hopefully it will be the right one offering the right curriculum for future career prospects.

If we have two or more offers then we will have a big debate as to which one to choose and if we are totally unsuccessful it will be back to the drawing board again.

We may have to appeal or try another local school if there is still a place.

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