The start of the school year is fraught with anxiety for many families, as parents embark on choosing the best school for their child in the following academic year and applying for a place. It is vital to be prepared

The start of the new academic year invariably brings a mix of excitement and anxiety, as students start their new school years or join new schools, colleges or universities. But the tension is probably never greater than among those families doing the rounds of primary or secondary schools ahead of making applications for places by November (secondaries) or January (primaries). For those seeking places in Catholic schools, with their famously high standards, and consequent oversubscription, the fears of not finding a suitable place for one’s child frequently verge on desperation. This may well be mitigated in coming years by the news announced this month that the cap on faith-based admissions to free schools and new academies will be lifted. But parents setting out on the open-evening circuit in pursuit of the right school for their child will still do so with trepidation.