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Original poster

For which period do I need to live near secondary school for applications

90 replies

Mallowmarshmallow · 15/03/2024 21:09

I am considering renting a property close to our favoured secondary school and move into it for a period in order to get a place at the preferred school.

Does anyone know for what period I would need to have the property?

I realise this is using a situation to benefit me, however we would genuinely move into the property for the required period.

My understanding is that I would need to live in the property at the end of October application deadline, up until the point of accepting the place in March. At which point I could move out. Is that correct?

OP posts:
HumphreysCorner · 15/03/2024 21:30

No sibling and I had to plead for a place on the bus which thankfully I got. They provided a taxi to take her and a few others to the nearest bus stop

flutterby1 · 15/03/2024 21:29

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/amiibeingunreasonable/3188832-Renting-in-school-catchment-area-temporarily

clary · 15/03/2024 21:27

HumphreysCorner · 15/03/2024 21:20

I got my daughter in a secondary out of our catchment area by emailing them my reasons why they would be good for her. Good luck 🤞

You may have done that, but she git the place bc you lived near enough, or she quslifued as a sibling. Schools have to follow admissions rules.

@Mallowmarshmallow do you own another house? Many popular schools are wise to this procedure and may check further.

HumphreysCorner · 15/03/2024 21:26

I live in England

Ovaltiner · 15/03/2024 21:26

Depends where you live. We're in a selective county and lots of the grammars require you to have been here for some time and quite restrictive provisions about second properties.

BendingSpoons · 15/03/2024 21:23

HumphreysCorner · 15/03/2024 21:20

I got my daughter in a secondary out of our catchment area by emailing them my reasons why they would be good for her. Good luck 🤞

Do you live in England or Wales? If so, they HAVE to allocate based on the admissions criteria. You getting a place was lucky, but not because you emailed to say your DC needed school A because of XYZ.

BendingSpoons · 15/03/2024 21:21

Do you own a home currently? If you do, and plan to keep it, then there is a good chance they will investigate and treat it as fraudulent.

If you are currently renting or will sell your home, then they are more likely to accept it. They may still investigate but it would be trickier for them to prove it was fraudulent.

It is not a victimless crime. Some other kid won't get a place because you gamed the system.

MargaretThursday · 15/03/2024 21:21

If you own another house then most places say you have to use that unless it's far too far away to use.

HumphreysCorner · 15/03/2024 21:20

I got my daughter in a secondary out of our catchment area by emailing them my reasons why they would be good for her. Good luck 🤞

myrtleWilson · 15/03/2024 21:16

soupfiend · 15/03/2024 21:12

If you are genuinely living there and registered/GP/paying bills I dont see how its fraud. People do move in and out of properties quickly

It's not clear if the OP is renting now and will rent a home closer to the school or if she owns a home and is looking to rent an additional property. If the latter, the LA may query whether the rented home is a genuine place of residence for the children.
If an applicant has an owned home in Newcastle but is renting in Reading because of work, it would presumably be easier to see the rented home as main place of residence as the child couldn't commute. But if an applicant has an owned home in Newcastle but renting in Durham, or has owned home in Reading but renting in Henley, the admissions authority may query if the owned home is actually the main place of residence I think

Original poster
Mallowmarshmallow · 15/03/2024 21:16

Surely it's not fraud if I'm living in the property, which I explained I would be.

There is no mention on admissions regarding a requirement to still live in the address in September. Places are allocated in March and that is when proof of address is required. People move addresses all the time.

OP posts:
soupfiend · 15/03/2024 21:13

drspouse · 15/03/2024 21:12

Also they will check when your child starts secondary school and can withdraw the place.
Why would you do that?

I suppose OP can remain living there until the September then?

drspouse · 15/03/2024 21:12

Also they will check when your child starts secondary school and can withdraw the place.
Why would you do that?

soupfiend · 15/03/2024 21:12

If you are genuinely living there and registered/GP/paying bills I dont see how its fraud. People do move in and out of properties quickly

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 15/03/2024 21:11

You know that’s fraud, right?

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