No school places near me

[Threebutterflies]

Hiya
As title says I can’t get my daughter into a school we’re we live so have decided to move over the summer holidays . We need a place for year 6 in September. Does anyone know any primary schools that need pupils ? Anywhere in country as we have no ties here. You can PM me of your don’t want to reply on here . Thanks

OK, so public transport requirements rules out most rural locations, any other considerations like needing to find work in a certain field or an area of the country you'd prefer or be closer to family (just roughly north/south/Midlands etc).

Also what kind of thing would you be looking for in a school? Bigger with good facilities or small and more personal? Strong academics or more nurturing? Any specific interests like music or sport (especially at secondary) or any SEN considerations?

Was there a specific problem at old school that you hope the move will fix (eg. If social difficulties/ bullying a small nurturing school might be a better fit).

Sorry not trying to be obtuse, just don't think random suggestions from probably 80% of the teachers on mumsnet is going to help you.

You need to talk to LA education department of area you are interested in - and see what places they have - though probably won't be at most popular schools.

You do want to be in place fairly shortly as you'll be applying for secondary places in few months time - depending on deadline. So factor in secondary school catchments/distance criteria dependent on area you end up.

DD1 was Y6 when we moved - moved for work reasons - delays in house buying - we talked to LEA just before got the house then there was another delay getting kids here - but we looked round two schools with places and all three were settled by second week of term.

IME the school and LA didn't always agree which had places or not.

Your also going to have to factor in rental prices - as they can vary a lot as well.

Rather than asking about whole of UK - maybe better to narrow down area - area you have some links to or can easily visit - next door counties maybe - and secondaries you could get into with probably help narrow down the search further. Some areas do have shortage of places - where DH currently works is known for it but you can usually find this out from newspaper articles and other info on internet.

I think you really do need to narrow down your criteria and make a decision about a few areas that might suit you.
what about - jobs
rent affordability
city/town or village life
other family
secondary schools
I could probably find you 10/15 schools in our surrounding area that are decent schools and have places available.
So could probably most people on this thread.
You really need to be more clear about what you want and where you want to be.

Yes I’m not great at wording things. But I don’t think I can edit my OP now can I ? I will ask mumsnet

Move to a Scottish island. Under the Scottish government's National Islands Plan. You could be eligible for a Golden Hello of £50,000.

Is there no recourse regarding the problems?

I think a knee jerk reaction relocating is not a good idea, do you have friends where you live and have you relocated before? I have relocated twice in my life and DH has four times. Turning up somewhere where you know not a living soul is quite daunting.

Plus schools are shutting, you will have no idea what they are truly like, results tables are not the be all and end all of choosing a school. When we chose DS primary school we had a huge choice, this was 15 years ago. We chose one that had some of the worst results because they were actually a very caring school and had a lovely vibe.

Wales/Scotland and NI have difference in education systems and exams taken - so do you mean anywhere in UK or England?

Can you explain what problems there were in the previous school. This will help choosing the type of school.

@Smartiepants79
ok so jobs I can do factory / bar work / shop work.
rent can afford 600 - 700 a month
I have no friends or support network we’re I live now
My daughter has no friends here either
Our house is rented now and we can move out anytime as no contact
would prefer somewhere quieter than a big city but as I don’t drive I know this might be difficult

I would choose an area or two first and then look at good secondary schools. They matter more than primary. Then see if there are places at a primary for those areas.

@SheilaWilde
ha I wish !

@Threebutterflies why not Scottish island? You said anywhere.

what about DdS family? Doesn’t she have a dad, grandparents, aunts or uncles? Anyone?
Surely you will need to secure work first. We live in South Yorkshire and you’d struggle to rent somewhere decent for that here so I doubt you’d have a prayer in the south.

Seriously. Barnsley - cheap housing and I know there's at least one primary school with places!

Turning up somewhere where you know not a living soul is quite daunting.

It can be and IME not everywhere is as welcoming.

When we got here we chose what we thought would be our second choice school - as they were very welcoming and clearly wanted the kids where better on school paper weren't as keen on new students.

It can be hard find stuff out about new areas and IME estate agents can be really shit - cancelling viewing last minute and despite know your traveling hundred of miles assume you can rearrange at drop of a hat.

Even secondary which was doing really when when we moved to the catchment since the DC started head left and now it's on a downward spiral and the really good pastoral care has just gone.

Three butterflies** why 'I wish'? You said anywhere and the £50,000 incentive is real. It sounds like the ideal solution.

www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-58070578

Where in the uk are you now?
There are some fabulous Welsh medium schools and English speaking schools in Wales with the odd place available, rent is very reasonable compared to some other of the uk. Would you consider putting her in an immersion unit and having Welsh medium education?
what about secondaries? Eduction is wales is devolved so a little different to England. Would this be a barrier?

Wow ok I will Look into this . But isn’t this if you can buy a home ? I rent and also I don’t drive .

would prefer somewhere quieter than a big city but as I don’t drive I know this might be difficult

Welsh cities or small English towns might suit - we don't drive and have managed both fairly well - English town was less desirable bit of midlands - so rents were about that.

@Maireas
would you mind Pm me names of schools / postcodes please?

No she doesn’t see her dad at all now. He made our lives miserable so we’re quite looking forward to a fresh start somewhere new .

Rent we can afford around 600 a month

@Threebutterflies is there a court order in place? I really think you need to look into this. Which county are you currently in? This is a massive upheaval for your child. Are the issues at the old school things that have potential to occur elsewhere?

How are you going to secure a rental property with no income?

It wasn't a massive upheaval for our children when we moved.

We thought it would be a huge thing for them as they were settled and happy at their primary were shy and often disliked changes so we were very worried about moving them but they were really excited about it all and settled really quickly.

Will do 👍