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Original poster

I hate to ask and I know it’s bad but…..

179 replies

Cornishwench · 15/09/2021 18:30

Has anyone put a grandparents/relatives address down on a secondary school application form due to being out of catchment and successfully got a placement?
Child is in feeder primary
All family live in area
We live hear but may have to move next year
I know morally it’s wrong but if it’s in the best interest of the child?
Thankyou

OP posts:
Plumtree391 · 16/09/2021 18:15

@Cornishwench

It’s hard because it’s family and I can see exactly why they want to do it,they will probably do it anyway ( without my help as I said I said no) it’s a small village I think either way I’m going to come off badly if I help or not! Poor kid has only ever known this set of friends and they are a very very nervous child even with own family members.
I'd do it for someone to whom I was close but would insist that they don't tell anyone else.
Harmonypuss · 16/09/2021 18:16

I know I'm going back almost 40 years but when I was in secondary school, we had to move house which meant that my sister and I didn't qualify to stay at our school and had to move to the school for our new home.
Fortunately for me, this was October and I was due to leave school the following May and my Headmaster spoke to the new school's Headmaster and they agreed between them that I should stay put and my sister (3yrs younger) would move.
I was so grateful to the two school's because my mother wasn't impressed that I would be staying at my original school, she truly wanted to ruin my life even more than she had done for the previous 10yrs.

pollymere · 16/09/2021 18:22

I would talk to the school and explain the situation. When you fill in an application there is a link to a box as to why you want the school and that you're moving to the area. Use your potential address here. I've never seen it end well when people don't use their actual details.

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General education
clarehhh · 16/09/2021 18:35

If you say yes you are complicit in a fraud which will be investigated.

MadamMalkin · 16/09/2021 18:38

No, but I know of several parents who did this for free bus passes.

Poppingmad123 · 16/09/2021 18:38

This happened to my parents. Relatives used their address to get their kids into outstanding primary. They only found out when they received a letter from the school that relatives did this. But soft as my parents are, they did not report them. Clearly did not know the implications this could have had on them. This worked a good 10 years ago but probably wouldn’t today.

ivykaty44 · 16/09/2021 18:41

I think it goes on where you pay council tax?

it does in my area and there have been a few requests for council tax demands to prove the address and electoral registers can be checked

not sure if its counted as fraud?

RevolvingPivot · 16/09/2021 18:44

I know someone who did this when their child started reception. They have just started y7. Never got caught. I was number 3 on the waiting list and had family that lived closer than her mum. I don't think it's worth it.

HelstonaireMonty · 16/09/2021 18:45

Are they moving out of the feeder primary school? Could the person not keep the child in the feeder primary even if the travel is bad only because it would be for a year or so before the transition to secondary?

AFuturisticalSound · 16/09/2021 18:47

I'm absolutely not condoning this but not every LA asks for proof of address I've just worked out that Im now into double figures of applications and have never been asked. And I know they don't check as two families at one primary my DC attended were reported by other parents to the school and it was only then that it came to light

Needmoresleep · 16/09/2021 18:50

Happens all the time. Or people renting in the right catchment. Round here schools don't seem to check. I think they actually like kids whose parents care about which school and are likely to turn up to parents evenings etc.

However it appears that in other areas they do. You probably need to think about the risks where you live.

What I hate though, and no one I know sent their kids to the local comp, whether by tutoring, discovering religion, renting in another catchment or paying, is that way that "committed socialists" will then criticise those who send their kids private when they have had no qualms cheating the system for their own children.

whynotwhatknot · 16/09/2021 18:54

My cousin had someone from the council turn up and check hr id for the school she appllied for she was gnuine though

THisbackwithavengeance · 16/09/2021 18:56

It's no worse than people going to church every Sunday whilst their kids are at primary never to be seen again once their kids get into the church school of choice.

And it's certainly no more unfair than wealthy people being able to afford houses near excellent schools and poor people are not. Or to rent second homes in the next street and pretend to live there.

Or people in villages in the neighbouring county somehow being able to send their kids to local excellent secondaries at the expense of actual locals as happens round here.

The system sucks and you do what needs to be done and what you have the stomach and nerve for.

Before anyone jumps down my throat my DS1 went to the worst school locally as I refused to find religion and we live in a poor area of town.

Kaley3043 · 16/09/2021 18:58

I know people who have done it. Mainly to get into a better school but they've been out of the catchment area. They may be a little more understanding if you are thinking of moving...

Everyone is talking about providing council tax bill. That's not even a thing here. Every area is different.

MyPatronusIsACat · 16/09/2021 19:04

@Cornishwench Of course you know it's wrong. Surely you didn't even need to ask. Confused

Why does the needs of your child trump the needs of others? Hmm

MyPatronusIsACat · 16/09/2021 19:07

@THisbackwithavengeance

It's no worse than people going to church every Sunday whilst their kids are at primary never to be seen again once their kids get into the church school of choice.

THIS ^ boils my piss too. People not giving a shit about religion, or the Church, or anyone who goes, but they still want their child to go to a C of E school. Hypocrisy at its finest.

These are the same twots who USE the Church for their wedding, when they never EVER go to Church. They want a Chruch wedding 'for the pretty scenery!' Hmm

MyPatronusIsACat · 16/09/2021 19:08

CHURCH wedding, not chruch!

Mirw · 16/09/2021 19:09

I hope they get caught. Why should they get priority for lying. And what does that say to the kids, "if you really want something, just lie". What you get is kids/people who think they are entitled, who are really hortid people.

mathanxiety · 16/09/2021 19:13

@DuesToTheDirt, well said.

SpeakingFranglais · 16/09/2021 19:18

They should have thought about this before year 6

SpeakingFranglais · 16/09/2021 19:24

[quote MyPatronusIsACat]@THisbackwithavengeance

It's no worse than people going to church every Sunday whilst their kids are at primary never to be seen again once their kids get into the church school of choice.

THIS ^ boils my piss too. People not giving a shit about religion, or the Church, or anyone who goes, but they still want their child to go to a C of E school. Hypocrisy at its finest.

These are the same twots who USE the Church for their wedding, when they never EVER go to Church. They want a Chruch wedding 'for the pretty scenery!' Hmm[/quote]
All our primary schools in the area are church schools. Doesn’t matter if you don’t worship, they are your local schools and places are given on nearest to school with children in care taking priority.

Springleaves · 16/09/2021 19:33

@Needmoresleep

Happens all the time. Or people renting in the right catchment. Round here schools don't seem to check. I think they actually like kids whose parents care about which school and are likely to turn up to parents evenings etc.

However it appears that in other areas they do. You probably need to think about the risks where you live.

What I hate though, and no one I know sent their kids to the local comp, whether by tutoring, discovering religion, renting in another catchment or paying, is that way that "committed socialists" will then criticise those who send their kids private when they have had no qualms cheating the system for their own children.

I was just thinking the exact same thing. At least the private system is transparent about buying advantage. The people who criticise private schools yet support this are hypocrites.
earthyfire · 16/09/2021 19:36

I don't think I could, I'd feel on edge about it. However, there was a parent at my children's school who did this. Grandparents lived opposite the school, parent would drive the children to school park on grandparents drive.

saraclara · 16/09/2021 20:02

If they live in the village at the moment, surely they can get their application in now? Before the council moves them?

Gingerandlemont · 16/09/2021 20:09

Sure you’ve had a load of responses telling you how morally wrong it is by now….

I think, do what you have to do. It’s not your fault or your DD’s that our education system is a ridiculously flawed postcode lottery that benefits the wealthy, and ensures that those born to lower earning families are denied equal chances to the rich.

Have no actual practical advice as I don’t know anyone who has done it… but 🤞🤞🤞 if you do it you don’t get caught.

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