rayray,
my dd is going to school next year so we are in the midst of this. In my opinion, it is a bit silly how much pressure is put on people to choose the right school. Ok, I am old, but in my day everyone went to the one around the corner! anyway I did not go to any open days until this year and only went to one at the school 2 minutes away. You only have to put your enrolment form in at a state school in June of the year before they go so there is absolutely no rush for you.