In year school place

[BendyBeard]

Has anyone had any experience of getting their child into a decent school mid year?

We’re moving in the Easter holidays and DD (year 1) will need to move schools. The new catchment school is a lovely one and we’re keen for her to go there but we know the classes are full.

Do schools need to make an exception for adopted children, or does that not apply for mid year applications?

Thanks!

@admission probably knows, but won't frequent here, so tagging.

You would be at top of waiting list and would have a good basis for appeal I would think. (being part of local community & good pastoral care)

Schools are able to go over their 'PAN' (can't quite recall, but that will be something like pupil admisssion number) for children in care, or children who were formerly in care.

You should just get in fairly automatically.

Oh that sounds hopeful, thanks both. We've made a tough decision to move from an area we're settled in as a family because we'll never be able to buy here - it's extortionate - but we're really worried about school for DD. She's done so well so far!

You should be okay, our preferred school was "full" both times we went to look. Our SW told us to apply anyway and appeal if needs be, but it wasn't necessary as they just accepted her. Had to do a late application for reception class as well, but no problems with that either.

Hope the move goes well 😁

Thanks gerbilgirl. There are two schools we’d be happy with and I emailed them both before putting the application in. They both responded along the lines of ‘unfortunately we are full’. I feel a bit like I’m ignoring them by applying anyway but I think I’ll have to go for it!

Just an update for anyone searching in the future. We applied to 3 schools we were happy with. All rejected our application on the grounds they were full. We chose our favourite and appealed, citing all the reasons we felt the school would be best for DD and they gave her a place under the ‘excepted child’ rules straight away.
So while some schools might try to deter you, it seems it is not too tricky to twist their arm!

Super.

I'm a clerk to the Governors.
Probably the person you've dealt with is the school secretary - and not up on all the intricate rules around admissions. (There are so many!!)
Just apply and appeal. The Governors are the ones who make decisions and are usually very reasonable, caring people.
One thing tho - if you know who the Governors are please don't talk to them about it. It would mean they wouldn't be able to sit on the appeals panel. Nightmare for the clerk scrabbling around to find people! Go straight to the Chair via the Clerk.

@Picak - I am waiting for an interesting time, as I am chair of govs, and also expect to be trying to get my (still hypothetical) AC into this same school. Just hoping I get matched before the summer with a 4 y/o or something :)

~such fun

When I had this issue a really helpful MNer helped me out - it should never really have to go to appeal - contact the Virtual Head, point our 'drift and delay' is not desirable for a LAC, and they should sit up a bit. Our SW still had to write a supporting letter, which strictly shouldn't be necessary, but once the VH got involved things happened FAST - I think it was confirmed the next day after a couple of weeks of everybody else faffing.