Unable to get son in school within catchment area

[Starnight20]

I hope I can get some help here - We're unable to get our child into the local school - the only school in the area. We moved to our new house 3 months ago and have been trying to get him in ever since, but they are saying they are full and can't even consider him for September. We are now having to drive him one and half hours to the old school which is not feasible in the long run - particularly if there's traffic etc. We are at a loss as come September he will have no school to join and we are living in a village with only one school and all others are 5 miles or more away...Really appreciate any advice!! thanks so much.

[MattDillonsPants]

How old is he OP?

[Sirzy]

How old is he? If it's primary, especially ks1 then if they are full there isn't a lot they can do.

Have you asked the LEA where the closest school with a place is? Over a certain distance they have to offer transport if it is the only option

[DSClarke]

You need to speak to the LEA. How old is your child?

[Starnight20]

Apologies should have made that clearer - he's 10 and in last year of primary school. He starts secondary school in September and the local school in our new area have both primary and secondary. We can't move him into primary so having to take him everyday to his old school (an hour away) and now we're being told they can't even give him a place for the secondary school. Whilst we have applied for secondary schools in other boroughs they all are a good 60 minutes away so not ideal.

[DawnMumsnet]

Hi Starnight, we're moving this thread over to our Primary Education topic in case there are other MNers able to offer you advice here.

Best of luck.

[louisejxxx]

Have they offered you any school place at all? (Not just necessarily your nearest one)

[prh47bridge]

Have you contacted the LA? If all other schools are over 5 miles away by the shortest safe walking route the LA must provide your son with free transport to and from school. If the LA is unable to provide a place nearer than his current school they must provide free transport to that school.

Have you tried appealing for a place at the village school? When you formally applied and they did not offer a place you should have been sent details of how to appeal.

[Inkymess]

I didn't think allocations for secondary for Sept are out yet??? You need to speak to LA and they need to offer something to you