Fiona, I get myself in a pickle about this too........and it is years off for me.

On the one hand I want the children to have a very stable schooling environment, so want to start making choices now, but on the other, like you, have no real idea on where we will be.......v.frustrating!!

IF we stay in our current area (which I really hope we do) my choices will be based around, in no particular order:

School Zone issues for High School ie which primary feeds into which High School
Public non-denominational
Co-Ed
Safety (ie practical stuff like car parks/busy roads etc)
The "philosophy" of the school......ie I am not so much bothered by accademic brilliance but I want ot see a real committment to individual development/personality/independance/community involvement etc

My list is endless to be honest, and I think it is because I was SO SO lucky in my education, that I was so happy at school (both primary and secondary) that I want the same for the children..........but you are right, I am not sure when to start stressing!!