Moving areas

[Wooliesgal]

Hi all, we're in the early stages of hopefully buying a new build house due for completion in July/August. I've sorted a pre school for my daughter, but it's trickier for my son. He's y2 currently and we were hoping to move him from September to the closet school to our new house which is walking distance and double intake. However they've advised they have no spaces at this stage..... The next closest school is easily a 40 min walk each way, no public transport route and no car to drive.

If (worse case scenario) there's still no space for my son at the school, what options do I have? This is all new to me and I'm feeling quite overwhelmed by the thought right now.

[EduCated]

Options are to see if there are any other schools with spaces that would be easier to travel to, to go on the waiting list for your preferred school (and any other schools you’d accept), or to home educate.

You can also appeal, Year 2 falls within Infant Class Size regulations so if the class is 30 pupils it will be almost impossible to win.

However - from Year 3 ICS no longer applies, and so appeals become about showing that your son will be at a greater disadvantage by not attending the school than the school would be by being made to take another child. You’ll find lots of excellent advice about appeals on these boards from some very knowledgeable and generous posters.

[BendingSpoons]

If there are still no places then you should ask to go on the waiting list. You can also consider appealing. An appeal for year 3 is slightly easier as infant class size regulations no longer apply, although you would probably need more reasons than travel logistics.

Whilst you are waiting, you can either send him to the school allocated or home school him. (Or commute back to your old school if that is an option, but presumably not.)

[Wooliesgal]

Not an option to travel back to current school unfortunately as will be about 90 minutes drive away (on a clear run!)

Thanks both, interesting regarding class sizes I had no idea that was the case and feel slightly better as he will obviously be moving to Y3 in September. I guess it depends how hard I want to fight to get him into that one should a space not become available.

[EduCated]

The first thing is to make sure you’re on the waiting list so that if a space opens up, you at least have a chance depending on whether you’d be top of the list. Waiting lists are held according to the admissions criteria, so depending on what they are for that school, you may be at the top, or below someone who is closer or who has a sibling at that school.

For the appeal, it does take time and effort, but you’ve nothing material to lose by trying.

[Lockdowndramaqueen]

When does your daughter start school? If she gets a place he will become a sibling so probably move up the waiting list criteria. Agree with pp join all waiting lists for near by schools abs then appeal once he is in yr 3.