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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be utterly pissed off that having a child already at the school has no bearing on getting a place if you do not live in the catchment area?

295 replies

samram · 28/02/2011 18:32

Ok, This news to me.

Having just rang the school admission line to make sure they had my dd4 application form i was told that already having my elder daughter attending the school has no bearing on my application if i do not live in the catchment area!
Im so worried now - i mean how can i possibly be in two places at once?
Its not even like my elder daughter is old enough to walk home on her own (she's 6 in a few weeks)

Does any know if this is correct or have any advice? Thanks

OP posts:
smokinaces · 28/02/2011 19:00

Have you moved?

Our sibling link states "sibling at the school if you live at the same address as their admissions, or have moved within 2 miles of the school address"

I am 2.8miles away from DS1's school so technically not in catchment - but they had spaces. Because I am not moving before DS1 is admitted I will get the sibling priority. However if I moved and it wasnt nearer to the school then I wouldnt. Fair game.

pawsnclaws · 28/02/2011 19:03

Can understand why you are pissed off, but the LA has the right to decide catchment is the fairest option. We have problems with short-term renters etc. in our area, or even people who get dc1 in and then buy miles away - some dcs are travelling to one of our local schools from 20 miles away on the basis of a sibling place, even though the catchment for first-timers is less than a mile!

Some years ago our local Catholic primary school was undersubscribed and so happily accepted non-Catholic applicants - three or four years later their siblings weren't able to take places as the school was now massively oversubscribed and offered places to practising Catholics only. Caused uproar, but I can't see what else they could do fairly.

Bramshott · 28/02/2011 19:03

Does it really have "no bearing" at all? That would be quite surprising.

As others have said, most schools operate on the basis of:
Looked after children
Siblings in catchment
Others in catchment
Siblings out of catchment
Others out of catchment

So that if you have a sibling in an out of catchment school, you have a better chance of getting in that anyone out of catchment who doesn't have a sibling at the school.

jenga079 · 28/02/2011 19:06

As I understand it, all school admissions criteria are slightly different, but the school does need to publish its criteria so it should have been obvious when you applied.

You will probably get priority over children 'out of catchment' without siblings at the school but not over those who live closer than you do. TBH, this seems fair to me.

What do you mean the 'other school was just not good enough'? I really hope you've gone and had a look round, spoken to other parents who have children there, met some of the staff, etc. Please don't rely on ofsted reports or reputation. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but school reputations are hard to shake and a 'bad' school may actually be doing really well. Ofsted reports and exam results only tell part of the story.

Good luck.

worraliberty · 28/02/2011 19:06

If it's a 3 minute walk can't a neighbour or another parent walk her home? How far away is the other school?

Also, why wouldn't a school 3 mins away be first in your catchment area?

darleneconnor · 28/02/2011 19:08

If both schools are that close then the logistics arent too bad. Im sure the older child can wait ten mins to get picked up. If you really felt so stringly about the other school then why didnt you make sure yiu lived cliser to the school you want?

darleneconnor · 28/02/2011 19:08

If both schools are that close then the logistics arent too bad. Im sure the older child can wait ten mins to get picked up. If you really felt so stringly about the other school then why didnt you make sure yiu lived cliser to the school you want?

thehat · 28/02/2011 19:10

The sibling policy is being dropped from lots of schools admission criteria.

SoupDragon · 28/02/2011 19:11

Given you haven't moved you have every right to be p*ssed off.

ginmakesitallok · 28/02/2011 19:14

WE have a school 3 mins walk from our house which isn't our catchment school - we live on a local authority border. DD1 goes to a school outwith our catchment area - our choice at the time and she was lucky enough to get a place (both our catchment schools are oversubscribed). Because of demographic changes it's looking unlikely that DD2 will get into the same school as DD1 - which will be a right pain in the ass, but something we'll have to live with I suppose if it happens. I'd hate to have to move DD1 - she loves her school and it's been really good for her.

GiddyPickle · 28/02/2011 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
samram · 28/02/2011 19:19

To answer some of the question

In an ideal world i would love to 'just to move closer to the school' But unfortunately im not made of money and that just isnt an option.
Also to get from one school to the next would take around 15 mins and i dont not have a friend of neighbour that could pick her up everyday.

Also yes im have seen the other school and spoken to other parent (who now attend my elder dd school as the other one was not good enough.

Thanks for all ur advice. I just going to have to sit and wait and see what happens.

OP posts:
Original poster
samram · 28/02/2011 19:23

apologies for the bad spelling!

OP posts:
Vallhala · 28/02/2011 19:24

"...why didn't you make sure you lived closer to the school you want?" blah blah... do people think it's really that easy?

Oh for goodness sakes! Get real!

The economies of moving and the practicalities of finding a house to move in to aren't sorted by waving a magic wand. It's naive to think it's that simple unless you are in a very fortunate financial position.

lollyheart · 28/02/2011 19:32

I'm in the same situation as op, we live out of catchment, and did so when we applied for dd to go to school, since she started the school has had an outstanding ofsted report, 100s of new houses being built and 1 school near by close, last year there was a waiting list for children in catchment, I'm dreading April when I get that letter through the door incase ds hasn't got a place for sept.

littlebylittle · 28/02/2011 19:33

The sibling rule in primary admissions takes account of how fluid catchments actually are. And there isn't really any such thing as a defined catchment area for most prinary schools - just priority in order of distance from school. I imagine my dd's school's 'catchment' will shrink considerably since it's recent outstanding ofsted and the bulge in birth rates. So children who got in on distance last time may well not this year despite living in the same house. So I think the sibling rule is fair. Moving three weeks after you start school then expecting to get in on siblings not the same thing IMO and not what the sibling rule is designed for. Sibling rule less important at secondary for logistic reasons-secondary aged children could reasonably be expected to make own way to and from school.

tougholdbird · 28/02/2011 19:35

Admissions are based on catchment, that's the reality. It may not be possible to move to get your chosen school, but that is the only way to do it. It is naive to think otherwise, surely.

privategodfrey · 28/02/2011 19:51

If you live that close to the school can't your elder DD walk home by herself? I imagine she wouldn't have to wait long for you to get back with other DD.

DCs have walked home since starting secondary school as we only live 10 minutes away and I'm out at work.

Anyway, it's a bit early to get worked up about it as she may well get a place despite being out of catchment. Worry about it if it happens.

Original poster
samram · 28/02/2011 19:55

tougholdbird you have a point but my reality is i cannot afford private education or to move into a better area with better schools BUT it does not mean i will not try my darn best to get my girls the best education. I'm sure most mothers would do the same. You cant blame me for it.:)

OP posts:
Original poster
samram · 28/02/2011 19:58

privategodfrey my other dd is 6 ! but yes you have a point about waiting till i get the news

OP posts:
tougholdbird · 28/02/2011 19:59

samram completely understand, and hope it works out OK. My last post was response to valhalla, not a dig at you

privategodfrey · 28/02/2011 20:00

Oh god - why did I think this was about secondary schools?!

< fans self and blames menopause for rotting brain >

hocuspontas · 28/02/2011 20:01

If there was no catchment when your eldest was admitted or the boundaries of the existing catchment have changed then YANBU.

GandTiceandaslice · 28/02/2011 20:04

theres no guarentee within catchment around here. It's crazy.

givemeaclue · 28/02/2011 20:05

where we are its:

looked after children
siblings
others - allocated on the basis of who lives nearest the school - there is no prescribed 'catchment', if they have 20 places left after looked after children and siblings, then the 20 that live nearest the school as the crow flies get in.

I don't think OP is being unreasonable to expect for her children to be able to attend the same school

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