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Original poster

Applying for secondary school 300 miles away - is this allowed?

34 replies

GreenPotatoes · 25/05/2021 17:39

We have to apply for secondary school in October 2021 for 2022 admissions. We know which secondary school we would like DS to go to but it’s 300 miles away.

The reason for this is we will be moving next year. We have been talking about moving out of the city and back to out roots for a while. DHs mother unfortunately passed away and he has been left the house. So we think it’s a good opportunity to fulfil our ambition.

DS has one year left at primary school and we wanted to keep him there to avoid two moves in two years (plus neither of us have jobs near the new house yet). This means we have to apply for secondary while we are still living here.

So a few questions now I’ve explained a bit

  • Can we apply for a secondary 300 miles away? Is this allowed?
  • As we have both houses would we be allowed to apply from the address we would be moving to, where DS would be living permanently from July 2022, or does it have to be the address we are at now?
  • Do we apply using the new councils secondary school form because we want the school there?
  • Are we being crazy and should we just move now and deal with two moves in two years?
OP posts:
Blueskytoday06 · 25/05/2021 19:01

You can apply but the application will be refused

AOwlAOwlAOwl · 25/05/2021 19:00

I'd move early if you can, it will take the worry out of school applications and DS might make some friends he will go to secondary with.

My parents made a very similar move when I was 10 and it all worked out fine for me. I wasn't bothered at all about two new schools in six months Grin

BluebellsGreenbells · 25/05/2021 18:56

Why not move early and let you DS make friends before high school?

UserAtRandom · 25/05/2021 18:52

You can apply to a school anywhere. So there is no issue with applying.
You do have to use your child's permanent address, so you will have to use your current home and, unless the school is undersubscribed, this means you are highly unlikely to get a place there.

I'd suck up the two moves - I moved a lot as a child but moving between two houses that are relatively close by whilst retaining consistency of schools/new friends was the easiest type of move to make. Particularly as you'll move with the idea that the first address is temporary so you won't feel too settled.

SillyBub · 25/05/2021 18:29

If you can get your DC into a primary school for Year 6 where they will meet children who will move up to the secondary school with them, then I'd move ahead of the application deadline. I work in a school in admissions where children arriving into Year 6 settle really well and move onto secondary with friends.

Retrievemysanity · 25/05/2021 18:23

I’d ring the council where the secondary school is and explain the situation and see what they say because you already own the house in that area so you’d be able to provide proof of address with council tax and utility bills etc.

TeenMinusTests · 25/05/2021 18:14

Yep, what ^^ Red said.
I personally think 2 moves is preferable, provided you get on with it. Your DS can get to know a few other kids, and the general area before starting secondary.
Have a look at the new LA website to see how quickly you have to take up a place if offered at Primary. You could apply within that window for a y6 place, then move up at some point in the summer.

RedOrangeYellowGreenBlueIndigo · 25/05/2021 18:10

To clarify, I should have said in the last paragraph,
If you don’t have a chance of the school you want from the city address, but you do from the new house, then move now.

RedOrangeYellowGreenBlueIndigo · 25/05/2021 18:08

There’s no reason why you can’t apply. It’s a common application form. You apply using the address your DS is living at permanently on the date of application using the council form for the permeant address. So, if you are still living in the city, your DS is at school in the city and your DS is registered as living in the city, you apply using the cities form. Theoretically you can apply for any school anywhere in the country and if there is a place you will be given it.
But....
Will you get a place? In an oversubscribed school you have no chance. This might leave you with the more undesirable schools. You might have to go on the waiting list for the school and then you would still have two school moves.
Another thing to think about is, even if you did move now, would you have a chance of a place from the new house? If no then you may as well hang on for a year.
Unless...
If you don’t have a chance of the school you want, and the rest are undesirable, or, there is no other school you would be happy with, then move now (or before October 31st) and deal with two school moves this year rather than in secondary.