Priority for Secondary school admission (kirklees) and adopted son

[gizmocat1]

Dear friends,

I was wondering if you can advise? My son is in a secondary school in Sheffield but we are moving to Denby Dale Kirklees soon ( waiting for a moving date). He is currently in year 8. We hope to move my son into the new school for September 2021 so he'll enter year 9. The school in question starts in year 9 and finishes year 13.

We can't apply properly yet as kirklees want us to live in the area already or have a moving date ( we have neither yet). I am very concerned as the school is likely to be oversubscribed and if I leave it too long will my soon not get a place?

Are previously looked after children automatically offered a place at a secondary school at their choice or will we have problems if the school is oversubscribed?

Many thanks
Alison

It depends on the admission criteria of that particular school, so e.g.a faith school can put faith requirements before LAC and PLAC not of that faith.

It also depends if there are spaces, but if not you should go to the top of the waiting list.

Ring the virtual school in Kirklees they can support you.

As the school only starts in y9 I'm not sure why you have to wait to apply. As an adopted child they should be more or less top of the list regardless of where they live.
My view is you should apply now and expect to be offered a place regardless of how far away you are. There will be waiting list movement now, but maybe not so much by August.
I am not an expert, only an interested bystander.

I am going to tag an admissions expert for you @prh47bridge who should be able to advise.

I wouldn't think you have to wait, if it's year nine entry. I would put in an application with your current address, chances are LAC priority trumps distance, and you get a place no bother. I wouldn't wait.

You have already missed the normal admissions round. It is therefore likely that the school is full in Y9.

You can't apply to Kirklees until you move but you should be able to submit an application to your current local authority for a place in the school you want. However, the fact it is Y9 admission may complicate things a little.

A looked after child is normally admitted automatically. In some circumstances, if the school refuses it can be directed to admit a looked after child. If your son isn't admitted, he will definitely be at the head of the waiting list.