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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you report someone that lied about their address on school admissions form?

112 replies

Peanutbutter37tuesday · 20/04/2012 09:44

We live in a town where school admissions is very competitive. Our DS had to go to school 40 mins walk away (we didnt own a car at the time) even though there were 4 closer schools to our home, one just 5 mins walk away.
I know of someone who has recently got their child into an 'outstanding' school by putting their business address as their home address.
I really feel so uneasy about it. I know it's not really any of my business, but I feel so badly for the child that didn't get into that school, even though they lived closer than this family. The school is near 2 council estates and it makes me so mad to think that the parents of the child that missed out could have jobs to go to or don't drive and now because of these parents 'stealing' their place, they might have to fork out money for child care so they can get to work on time or have to go further to the next school.
The mum is a SAHM and the next closest school is 'good' so it probably wouldn't massively inconvenience her her DD had to go there.
WIBU to report it?

OP posts:
halcyondays · 20/04/2012 09:46

Yanbu

lifesalongsong · 20/04/2012 09:48

Based on similar threads in the past I think most posters will tell you its none of your business but if I was in your situation my sense of injustice would certainly make we want to report them.

If it affected me directly I would straight on the phone.

StateofConfusion · 20/04/2012 09:48

Yanbu.

porcamiseria · 20/04/2012 09:49

so you have reported it?
I am 50/50
noone likes a grass
BUT this shit needs to be stamped out

pingdriver · 20/04/2012 09:51

yep I would report. admissions policies must be fair to all and someone who flouted this is completly in the wrong. I would have no hesitation in reporting. and no I do not agree with those who say it is no of your business whether or not it affects you directly!

musicposy · 20/04/2012 09:51

No, I'd report it. Somebody else is being kept out of their local school because that parent lied.

SardineQueen · 20/04/2012 09:52

Gosh that's hard.
I don't think you were unreasonable to report it.
I don't know what I would do. I might be tempted to tell someone who I knew was a "reporty" type, or something.

echt · 20/04/2012 09:55

YANBU.

An appropriately entitled child is being cheated here.

MrsShitty · 20/04/2012 09:56

You don't know that "the child who missed out but lives 5 mins away" will actually GET the place anyway...someone else might...someone else who lied...or smeone with other first dibs.

But if it makes you feel better then report away they were VERY silly to tell you this...unless you're assuming it.

moocat · 20/04/2012 09:58

I'd report it.

Ghoulwithadragontattoo · 20/04/2012 09:58

Admissions here are also very tight and I would report it. Using a business address is a clear cut breach of the rules. Unlike, say, renting a flat where you're not 100% sure whether the family moved in which may be a grey area. The school might look into this anyway; our school do home visits so if they arrived and address was an office they'd realise straightaway. But they would probably appreciate the tip.

I heard of a child at our school who was asked to leave because his parents had used the child's grandparent's address. Must be very upsetting for the child involved but the school have to take a firm line I guess...

SchoolsNightmare · 20/04/2012 10:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Molinko · 20/04/2012 10:03

I'd report it even if my child had got into our first choice. But I'm an god-damn bitch like that.

Molinko · 20/04/2012 10:03

I'd report it even if my child had got into our first choice. But I'm an god-damn bitch like that.

Pendeen · 20/04/2012 10:09

YANBU and I would do the same.

Several parents have been caught lying to get into my village school.

Either an admissions system is fair to all or there is no point having one.

I hate cheats.

Original poster
Peanutbutter37tuesday · 20/04/2012 10:15

It IS hard! I think what they're doing is so so wrOng, and not getting into our nearest school (this was last year) has deeply effected my DS for several reasons and it does need to be stopped. But at the same time, if she found out I reported it then I would be in a lot of trouble! Plus I feel like a snitch...

OP posts:
orangina · 20/04/2012 10:20

I would report it. I hate seeing all the kids getting off the TRAIN to go to our over subscribed primary school when I know that families who live down the road were denied places.....

(cats bum mouth)

zipzap · 20/04/2012 10:21

maybe you could ring and ask the council for advice - say that you thought that you had to use your home address but you understand that somebody used their business address and they got a place so now you're confused...

Quenelle · 20/04/2012 10:22

I would report it. I hate cheats too.

picnicbasketcase · 20/04/2012 10:23

TBH, yes, I would report them. I'd probably feel like a git for doing so, but I still would. MY DC's school is a 5-10 min walk away and if we had been denied places at our catchment school because of someone lying about where they live, I would want someone to have reported them.

BonkeyMollocks · 20/04/2012 10:23

Yanbu!

I would have done the same!

GreenEggsAndNichts · 20/04/2012 10:27

YANBU at all.

mrsscoob · 20/04/2012 10:29

If you are going to do it, don't um and ah about it just do it. I think you are right to report it but in fairness do it quickly/today so they can find another place for the child before all the left over places are snapped up.

WatneyShed · 20/04/2012 10:30

There's a chance they'll get found out anyway, in which case the LA can withdraw the place (even if the child has already started).

The short answer (of which I'm not proud) is that I'd report if I didn't like her, and keep my mouth shut but judgy pants fully hoiked if I did like her.

EdithWeston · 20/04/2012 10:32

I'd report.

The admissions system isn't improved by turning a blind eye to cheats. This would be a straightforward investigation, and the family would suffer no ill-effects if they could show they genuinely live where they say they do.

And, if they are gossipy types, an account of an investigation may act as a deterrent to those who might otherwise have been tempted to cheat.