Mid Year School Application

[Elocutioner]

I've just had confirmation that we'll be moving this summer. DD will be in Year 1 in September.

We're moving in with my partner - I know I need proof of address so can I get myself on the electoral roll at that address and will that be enough of a proof of address for the application?

Also, would my DD count as a sibling to my partners children for the school application? Obviously it would be easier if they were in the same school but I know their school is very over subscribed.

Could someone tell me where to start?

I should add we're currently abroad so I haven't been through the process before ie for the reception application.

[TheVanguardSix]

You will need to have your name on the council tax statement as proof of address plus a bank statement (usually).
Your local council website and also //www.gov.uk will certainly give you answers to any questions you'll have about in year applications/waiting lists.

[LIZS]

Your dc would need to be resident and available to take up the place, even assuming there is no waiting list or year group not already full. Bear in mind there is a maximum of 30 per class until y3 so there may not be a space at your p dc school.

[shakemysilliesout]

The admissions code of the school on their website should clarify the sibling link.

[Elocutioner]

Ok thanks. When you say she needs to be ready to take the place, does that mean we can't apply now for September?

[LIZS]

If you want her to start in September you can't usually apply until end of summer term. A few LAs may relax it to a few weeks before you physically move as long as you are confirmed as living there ie. On Ct statement.

[Elocutioner]

Ah ok thanks I didn't realise that.

My partner will have a chat to the admissions registrar at his kids school just to let them know we're interested and if there's anything specific we need to do. Otherwise I suppose we'll have to wait.

Seems a bit bonkers - I thought this would be one thing we could maybe wrap up early as we've got enough stress in the summer with relocating!

[Hugepeppapigfan]

My LA has children living at the same address linked as siblings for the purposes of admissions. This would just put your kids higher up the waiting list. If the classes are full then it wouldn’t get them a place and you would have to appeal to try and get a place. Proof of address ‘may’ be asked for at the point of being offered a place.

[Elocutioner]

If I'm moving in the summer holidays (which I will be - I'm a teacher) then how does that work?

Presumably all the schools will be closed so there'll be no chance of getting an application processed before the start of term. Could we end up with DD missing school for a few weeks?

[Elocutioner]

Good to know the sibling rule may apply though

[LIZS]

Possibly , but don't many overseas schools finish up earlier than in uk.

[Hugepeppapigfan]

Is it an LA school? If so, the admissions team probably work over the holiday. Ours does. If there are places then they can offer them without the school being open (as long as it’s not an academy, free school or voluntary Aided School).

[PatriciaHolm]

Realistically, if you move over the holidays, then yes your child may be out of school for a week or 2. The Local authority have an obligation to find her a space, but will need to ascertain the exact situation in terms of spaces when schools return. There really isn't much you can do about that, unless you can move a few weeks before the end of the UK summer term and apply with proof then.

How the siblings thing is treated will differ by admissions authority. Most will treat children living in the same home as siblings, but not all give siblings priority anyway, so you would need to check.

[Elocutioner]

Thanks for the really useful info everyone

We maybe finish early but it'll only be a few days. I may ask my school to let me go a bit earlier although whether they'd agree is another matter.

It's not the end of the world I don't suppose if she misses a week or too. I suppose it's the stress of not knowing really but that affects me and not her!

[Elocutioner]

Oh and good news that the LA may process it over the holidays. It's a church school so I suppose it might be VA. I'll ask my DP

[Elocutioner]

Sorry another question - it's a church school and my DPs kids were baptised at the church and then all attended church regularly. My DC isn't baptised and doesn't attend church. If she still counts as a sibling would that matter?

[Hugepeppapigfan]

Their admissions policy legally has to be on their website so check there.

[SummerRains]

It depends what their admission criteria is. At our local church school being baptised/regular attendee is high on their admissions list.

[TheletterZ]

We moved over Christmas 2016 from overseas, our local authority was very helpful in getting everything sorted. An in year application (as this would be as you aren't resident yet) has to be 4 school weeks before you want to start. As for proof of address, if you have just moved you might not have council tax, bill etc... so check with them what they will accept - solicitors letters, tenancy agreement etc...

[TeenTimesTwo]

re sibling link. I saw on your other thread they live 50:50 with your partner and ex. Do you know whose address was used for the children when they applied for primary? That might make a difference.

You need to look at admissions policy if it is a church school re where a 'not of faith' sibling/not sibling would come on the priority order. Our local school doesn't distinguish and all siblings come above all the non-statutory criteria.

However our local CoE school says Children who have parents with shared responsibility will be deemed to live at the address of the parent receiving Child Benefit. and also ‘Sibling’ refers to a brother or sister, a half brother or sister, an adopted brother or sister, a step brother or sister, or the child of the parent/carer’s partner and in every case the child must be living in the same family unit at the same address.

so you would only get in under sibling rule if child benefit of the other children goes to your partner.

[Elocutioner]

I asked him about the address and he said they are registered with both. I can't imagine they get child benefit as both he and the ex are high earners

[Elocutioner]

TheLetterZ I'm hoping we can go on the electoral roll and that will be sufficient as because we're moving in with DP everything will be in his name. We won't need a tenancy agreement or solicitors letters etc.

We'll be back over Easter so do you think we'd be able to visit a couple of the nearest schools to have a look?

[TeenTimesTwo]

Go to the schools website and find the admission criteria. It has to be on there somewhere.

[LIZS]

If the school has a year 1 place and no waiting list at the time your dd is eligible they have to offer a space. If it is already at capacity then the entry criteria will rank the waiting list. If baptism and/or church attendance are ahead of a sibling link then other children may well take priority. The other dc must be registered as at one address or the other. Is the property within a specified area such as a parish boundary as that may also give higher priority. Check the Local Authority website.

[TheletterZ]

Check when the schools are open over Easter a and if they are, yes, most schools are happy for you to visit.

[Elocutioner]

The categories go:

1. Church going siblings
2. Siblings
3. Church going non siblings

So we could be ok.

I'll have to check the address. Additionally, the school is in another borough (London) so is that automatically out of catchment?