Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this fraud?

61 replies

cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:20

This is a question for a friend not myself:

Friend (Anna) and husband (John) are in a bad relationship, she has two DC (10 and 7). Friend has been trying to leave husband for a while but has not been in a position financially to leave.

Anna’s sister has just bought a new house with enough room for Anna and her two children to live in for the next year whilst she gets on her feet and long term looks to move to the area that her sister is in.

Annas DC (10) will be applying for high schools whilst they will be staying at their sister house.

Is it ok for Anna to apply for high schools in that area as they are staying with Anna’s sister or would she need to apply under the address that John will be residing in? The local high school is in walking distance from Anna’s sisters house but would be a different catchment area from John’s house.

It would make more sense for her to apply in that area as she is looking for a house there but she worries that this might be fraud?

Geniune concern for Anna (and not for me) so please don’t flame me!

AIBU - this is fraud

YANBU - no that makes sense

OP posts:
lauram31 · 18/03/2025 18:00

ok this may sound blunt but , it’s a school place for a child I think the whole thing is being overthought it’s not like the woman’s committing benefit fraud or something serious it is simply a school place , catchment schools mean nothing in most areas these days anyway ( my children have never attended the school that is their “ catchment “ purely as they’re awful” I think by the sounds of it she has more things to worry about than the school she’s intending on sending her child to. We all pay our taxes and into the education system and children are all eligible for education so it’s irrelevant what school her children end up in .

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 18/03/2025 18:00

Ynbu

UnicornBubble · 18/03/2025 17:58

Your friend and her children will be living with her sister so will be in that catchment area, and if/when they move they also intend to be in that catchment area. Where her soon to be ex lives is irrelevant. Best wishes to her in this new chapter!

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 18/03/2025 17:58

cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:56

@MumChphe is not expecting her to have an option to leave with the kids and is not going to be happy about any of this especially kids not going to school local to him.

How far is she planning to move?

TappyGilmore · 18/03/2025 17:54

Does she not need to show evidence of address? I live outside of the UK but had to show about 5 different forms of proof of address to be able to enrol in a popular high school, one of which had to be either the property deeds or rental agreement. Presumably they would be in the sister’s name, not your friend’s name.

Also there seems to be an assumption that the children will remain with your friend all or most of the time. What if their father challenges this?

So I wouldn’t say it’s “fraud” if she does plan to stay there long term but I would say it may not be as simple as you make it sound.

InSpainTheRain · 18/03/2025 17:54

I believe she'll be on very rocky ground to apply to schools local to her DSis's home without actually living there. She should be living there and have her address changed on official docs. I am sure the LA will have heard of the story of "She wants to leave and live with her sis" before as I know they do checks if the school is popular by turning up at people's homes. They will want evidence she and the children are there. If this is genuine and she will move in say, 3-4 weeks, then why not call the school and explain?

Hwi · 18/03/2025 17:47

None of your business. Misplaced concern.

PartyPopper57 · 18/03/2025 17:47

Why are you so bothered about what your ‘friend’ is doing? 🙄 Hate reverse threads.

hydriotaphia · 18/03/2025 11:08

YANBU. Nor fraud- it should be the address they are living at, and if they are living with the sister that is the address.

MathsMum3 · 18/03/2025 11:05

As others have said, Anna needs to be officially registered as living at her sister's address (electoral role, bank account etc.), but so do her children. Anna needs to change their address also (e.g., with doctor and current primary school). If Anna and John officially separate, she will need evidence that she is the main carer, and the children live more than 50% of the time with her. It would be helpful evidence if she is registered as the recipient of child benefit for them. Schools often use this as evidence of which parent the child lives with mainly.

Peridot1 · 18/03/2025 10:30

@Weekabc - yes I get that but my understanding is that she will be living in the area when she applies AND plans to stay in the area. So it’s not just intention.

MumChp · 18/03/2025 10:00

cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:57

@MumChp this is my view and trying to persuade her it is the right thing to do which is why I posted.

You shouldn't persuade her.
She can't apply from other address than the one she is living at. So no other way to go really unless she moves out.

Original poster
cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:57

@MumChp this is my view and trying to persuade her it is the right thing to do which is why I posted.

OP posts:
MumChp · 18/03/2025 09:56

cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:56

@MumChphe is not expecting her to have an option to leave with the kids and is not going to be happy about any of this especially kids not going to school local to him.

Bad luck for him isn't it.

MumChp · 18/03/2025 09:56

cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:53

@MumChp about her husband kicking up a fuss about it and saying it’s fraud.

If she has her address legally at the house she is applying from he can kick and fuss. Not her business.

Original poster
cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:56

@MumChphe is not expecting her to have an option to leave with the kids and is not going to be happy about any of this especially kids not going to school local to him.

OP posts:
Original poster
cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:53

@MumChp about her husband kicking up a fuss about it and saying it’s fraud.

OP posts:
Original poster
cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:52

@Feelingstrange2 current catchment has two outstanding schools which people often use as reason to move to the area however one of them is probably oversubscribed , new area also has outstanding school unsure if oversubscribed.

OP posts:
MumChp · 18/03/2025 09:51

cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:45

@MumChp I told her I thought it was logical not fraud. I am very supportive of her move as her husband is a twat. Posting on MN after discussion with her as new there would be mixed opinions which would helpful for her as she is very anxious.

Anxious about what? She follows the rules. She applies from her address. Job done.

Feelingstrange2 · 18/03/2025 09:49

Is there a noticeable difference in school quality that adds to this fishiness?

For example is the new one outstanding and difficult to get into and the one they'll be moving from a sink estate school. Extreme but you know what I'm asking.

rubyslippers · 18/03/2025 09:47

cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:20

This is a question for a friend not myself:

Friend (Anna) and husband (John) are in a bad relationship, she has two DC (10 and 7). Friend has been trying to leave husband for a while but has not been in a position financially to leave.

Anna’s sister has just bought a new house with enough room for Anna and her two children to live in for the next year whilst she gets on her feet and long term looks to move to the area that her sister is in.

Annas DC (10) will be applying for high schools whilst they will be staying at their sister house.

Is it ok for Anna to apply for high schools in that area as they are staying with Anna’s sister or would she need to apply under the address that John will be residing in? The local high school is in walking distance from Anna’s sisters house but would be a different catchment area from John’s house.

It would make more sense for her to apply in that area as she is looking for a house there but she worries that this might be fraud?

Geniune concern for Anna (and not for me) so please don’t flame me!

AIBU - this is fraud

YANBU - no that makes sense

Check the criteria for school entry
often address is not critical - looked after children get first priority, children of teachers etc with address low on the list
best thing is to call schools and check
It’s not quite what you’re asking but you need to be clear on everything before any application is made

Original poster
cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:46

@KrisAkabusigenuinely not me but that is my opinion on the matter also.

OP posts:
Original poster
cloudbusting123 · 18/03/2025 09:45

@MumChp I told her I thought it was logical not fraud. I am very supportive of her move as her husband is a twat. Posting on MN after discussion with her as new there would be mixed opinions which would helpful for her as she is very anxious.

OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 18/03/2025 09:45

If it was fraud there would have to be an intent to deceive. From what you've said, your 'friend' is living there and intends to move to the area. I wouldn't have a problem with that, there's no deception taking place.

MumChp · 18/03/2025 09:41

None og your business. No fraud. She is living on the adress. Of course she can apply for schools.