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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this admission fraud? AIBU to report it?

907 replies

grammarmom · 24/11/2025 16:21

Here's the situation.

We live in a grammar school catchment area that gets smaller every year. When we bought our house several years ago, it was very comfortably within the catchment for an excellent local grammar (very high in the league tables), and oh boy was it reflected in the price. Now we're right on the boundary. Among the thirty or so houses around us, some children got in last year and some didn't, literally a difference of a few yards.

Another child on our street, who is in the same class as my DC, only just passed the 11+ (a few points above the pass threshold). We live on the same road, but they are about 50 yards further from the school gate. Based on last year's distances, my child would likely get a place while theirs wouldn't.

Over the weekend, during a sleepover, the child mentioned that her mother has now rented a house much closer to the school to secure a higher priority for admission. The tenancy was apparently signed one day before the cut-off date, making it "legal" for admission purposes. She still owns their original home, but the story being presented is that relatives who were previously "homeless" will now live there free of charge, and all bills and utilities have been transferred into those relatives' names (I strongly suspect that the mother will in fact pay these bills as those relatives are penniless).

She's even moved the children's belongings to the rented property and makes them spend nights there (they hate it). There's no doubt that once the school place is obtained, they will move right back.

This effectively pushes my child down the priority list and means they may now miss out.

Would this constitute admissions fraud? It feels incredibly unfair that someone with £40k to spare for rent can effectively buy their way into a top grammar school, especially when their child didn't perform particularly well in the exam (despite being tutored for hours every day).

Should I report this? I have no more detail apart from what this child told me (and they obviously weren't too sure about some aspects of it due to age).

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Catpiece · 24/11/2025 16:51

Megifer · 24/11/2025 16:40

I know! Why buys an actual house to get into a school knowing catchments can change!!

Someone with desperation screaming from every pore. It’s embarrassing

grammarmom · 24/11/2025 16:50

Notmenothere · 24/11/2025 16:45

She may not move back, you can't know that. Haven't the rules been tightened up around evictions recently? She might not be able to move back without a fight, especially if her relatives get used to living there.

This is impossible. These relatives are refugees whose visas are expiring in a year. One way or another they will leave. Neat, huh?

I am just so angry at the world and unfairness of it all today.

OP posts:
ContinuewithGoogle · 24/11/2025 16:50

grammarmom · 24/11/2025 16:44

Not the same as we would have bought a house somewhere regardless. It's a large family property, and it's naturally expected that at least one school-age child would live there, ours or someone else's. The school was one factor among many when we chose it, and it is hopefully our forever home. We didn't leapfrog anyone or take a place that wasn't rightfully ours.

t's naturally expected that at least one school-age child would live there

now you are talking absolute nonsense

I don't think you did anything wrong in buying the right house, I did exactly the same! Catchment was my first criteria. But I can't say the other family is committing fraud, because they are not.

breezyyy · 24/11/2025 16:50

Tessasanderson · 24/11/2025 16:47

This exactly. Its alright as long as it doesnt effect me. Absolute hypocrites moving to ensure they get the school place but then moaning when someone has more money to play the game.

Am i reading it right that the OP thinks the house is intended to have xyz number of kids etc. So a single person, no children who just likes the house, can afford the house and buys the house.......is that wrong somehow?

I don’t know the admissions process, it’s just my summary of life to be honest.

IkeaJesusChrist · 24/11/2025 16:50

If they're living there then there's nothing you can do.

MrFluffyDogIsMyBestFriend · 24/11/2025 16:50

It's morally just as dubious that this child innocently gave you information thinking they could trust you, only for you to report them.

thisfilmisboring123 · 24/11/2025 16:49

grammarmom · 24/11/2025 16:27

It might be legal on paper. But surely morally very questionable, and intentions must count in a matter like this? She already owns a perfectly nice house that she just invited some extended family to stay for a year to create an impression of moving out. There was no need for her to rent anything at all!

Yup.

I’m sure you’re only thinking of reporting her for morality reasons. Lol

MrsPositivity1 · 24/11/2025 16:49

I would report them.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 24/11/2025 16:49

Yabu

Leave well alone

ContinuewithGoogle · 24/11/2025 16:49

grammarmom · 24/11/2025 16:27

It might be legal on paper. But surely morally very questionable, and intentions must count in a matter like this? She already owns a perfectly nice house that she just invited some extended family to stay for a year to create an impression of moving out. There was no need for her to rent anything at all!

it's legal, so it's not fraud?

It's not questionable to give the best headstart to your child as you can. You might not like it, but they're not doing anything wrong. It' s not a fake address, it's not a fake rental. Until grammar school ban rentals as an address- which is unlikely 😂 - people will keep doing this.

Daygloboo · 24/11/2025 16:48

grammarmom · 24/11/2025 16:21

Here's the situation.

We live in a grammar school catchment area that gets smaller every year. When we bought our house several years ago, it was very comfortably within the catchment for an excellent local grammar (very high in the league tables), and oh boy was it reflected in the price. Now we're right on the boundary. Among the thirty or so houses around us, some children got in last year and some didn't, literally a difference of a few yards.

Another child on our street, who is in the same class as my DC, only just passed the 11+ (a few points above the pass threshold). We live on the same road, but they are about 50 yards further from the school gate. Based on last year's distances, my child would likely get a place while theirs wouldn't.

Over the weekend, during a sleepover, the child mentioned that her mother has now rented a house much closer to the school to secure a higher priority for admission. The tenancy was apparently signed one day before the cut-off date, making it "legal" for admission purposes. She still owns their original home, but the story being presented is that relatives who were previously "homeless" will now live there free of charge, and all bills and utilities have been transferred into those relatives' names (I strongly suspect that the mother will in fact pay these bills as those relatives are penniless).

She's even moved the children's belongings to the rented property and makes them spend nights there (they hate it). There's no doubt that once the school place is obtained, they will move right back.

This effectively pushes my child down the priority list and means they may now miss out.

Would this constitute admissions fraud? It feels incredibly unfair that someone with £40k to spare for rent can effectively buy their way into a top grammar school, especially when their child didn't perform particularly well in the exam (despite being tutored for hours every day).

Should I report this? I have no more detail apart from what this child told me (and they obviously weren't too sure about some aspects of it due to age).

It doesnt sound like the kids actually ' properly' live there. But I have to say I find it all so sad..What's wrong with this country that we cant provide a good education for ALL children. Why do ppl have to resort to this kind of ridiculous behaviour just to get their kid a good education. Mad.

Tessasanderson · 24/11/2025 16:47

breezyyy · 24/11/2025 16:45

Money talks, morals walk.

This exactly. Its alright as long as it doesnt effect me. Absolute hypocrites moving to ensure they get the school place but then moaning when someone has more money to play the game.

Am i reading it right that the OP thinks the house is intended to have xyz number of kids etc. So a single person, no children who just likes the house, can afford the house and buys the house.......is that wrong somehow?

JLou08 · 24/11/2025 16:47

You bought your way in buying your house, she bought her way in renting a property. You've both given your DC an advantage due to having more money than those who couldn't afford to live in the catchment area. What she has done may seem unfair to you. The whole catchment area may seem unfair to families who couldn't afford to live in the area.

Kimura · 24/11/2025 16:46

KarmenPQZ · 24/11/2025 16:32

It feels incredibly unfair that someone with £40k to spare for rent can effectively buy their way into a top grammar school

but you effectively did the same by paying over the odds for a house within the catchment that someone with less spare money than you couldn’t afford. So you also bought your way in. Thats the whole problem with the system

The difference is that OP has moved her family to permanently live in that catchment area. That's their home.

The other family do not, and are misrepresenting the child's main residence, which would be admissions fraud.

Megifer · 24/11/2025 16:46

justasmallbiz · 24/11/2025 16:44

You have to be dense to not see the difference.

Please tell me what is incorrect about my comment.

I'll wait.

Notmenothere · 24/11/2025 16:45

She may not move back, you can't know that. Haven't the rules been tightened up around evictions recently? She might not be able to move back without a fight, especially if her relatives get used to living there.

breezyyy · 24/11/2025 16:45

Money talks, morals walk.

justasmallbiz · 24/11/2025 16:44

Megifer · 24/11/2025 16:43

Can't believe you grilled the kid 🤣🤣🤣

Why are you appalled? She's done the same as you - moved to get into a school.

You have to be dense to not see the difference.

grammarmom · 24/11/2025 16:44

KarmenPQZ · 24/11/2025 16:32

It feels incredibly unfair that someone with £40k to spare for rent can effectively buy their way into a top grammar school

but you effectively did the same by paying over the odds for a house within the catchment that someone with less spare money than you couldn’t afford. So you also bought your way in. Thats the whole problem with the system

Not the same as we would have bought a house somewhere regardless. It's a large family property, and it's naturally expected that at least one school-age child would live there, ours or someone else's. The school was one factor among many when we chose it, and it is hopefully our forever home. We didn't leapfrog anyone or take a place that wasn't rightfully ours.

OP posts:
noidea69 · 24/11/2025 16:43

grammarmom · 24/11/2025 16:40

I did ask the child a few more questions about the details because I was honestly appalled by the whole situation. What made it worse is that I had spoken to the mum just a few days ago, and she was just nodding along to my worries about the shrinking catchment... all while fully knowing she was already gamed the system.

Grilling the child over the situation is well out of order by the way.

justasmallbiz · 24/11/2025 16:43

Cat1504 · 24/11/2025 16:28

No one is going to be arsed about morals …if it’s legal….then it’s legal

There’s a difference between admissions fraud and criminality - fuck sake:

This would be against the admission criteria in the grammar catchment I am in. You must have disposed of the other property beforehand or show a tenancy agreement for market rates of someone unrelated. Renting and then ending the tenancy to gain a place is admissions fraud.

Just report it. If it’s soooo legal then no issues will come of it.

Megifer · 24/11/2025 16:43

grammarmom · 24/11/2025 16:40

I did ask the child a few more questions about the details because I was honestly appalled by the whole situation. What made it worse is that I had spoken to the mum just a few days ago, and she was just nodding along to my worries about the shrinking catchment... all while fully knowing she was already gamed the system.

Can't believe you grilled the kid 🤣🤣🤣

Why are you appalled? She's done the same as you - moved to get into a school.

Bearlionfalcon · 24/11/2025 16:43

In my area, if they'd retained their main residence and were intending to move back there, then no, it wouldn't be within the rules and if that was the difference potentially between my kid getting a place as the next name on the list and not, then yeah you bet I'd report them

noidea69 · 24/11/2025 16:42

They've played the game, what can you do.

Hereforthecommentz · 24/11/2025 16:42

It's really none of your business who's paying the bills. Your nose is out of joint because she's higher up the priority and she's richer than you. It's legal so reporting it makes you look very petty. As pp have mentioned you are all as bad as each other buying your way into nice schools.