Aibu to have been shocked by the council on school places

[5dcsinneedofacleaner]

We rent our house we have been given notice to move we have 8 weeks . We have made appointments to see the available houses none are near the current school or even within a travelling distance so we will have to move the three oldest to a new school.

I phoned the schools near the houses working my way out but after a while have up as they were all full . I called the council to ask what would happen if we moved but there were no places. Apparently they will probably end up at 2 or 3 different schools possibly miles in different directions ( although she was confident it would not be far enough away to qualify for transport- great). Since we have no car I said this would be pretty much impossible.

Her advice was "have you considered teaching them at home". Now I know it's not her fault and I know it's not ideal to move but we have 0 choice .

Aibu to think that if the schools are that full there is an issue here? ( we are talking of probably 10-15 schools here not 2 or 3.").

ahh cantspel we dont get working tax credit but it looks like we would get the transport based on distance (I called the schools within that distance myself and they were full)!. thanks!.

Squinkies we need to stay within distance of MIL tbh as she needs us.

I cant homeschool - well not unless I give up working which would create a whole other mess!

oh, and your 8 year will find it easier to get a place if you can find a school for the other two - heads can go over the recommended number of children in a class because there is no legal maximum in key stage 2 like there is in key stage 1. Get your 6 year old in and then appeal for a place for your 8 year old, just don't say that you are going to do that before getting your 6 year old in.

Dizzy "bursts into tears" we have just today been rejected for a mortgage because of being self employed - we have a 20% deposit we have good credit but have been refused a number of places. We need a longer history as a limited company before they will consider us.

hence my extremely bad mood about it all.

Dizzy you just cant take on someone else's mortgage.

If the op wants to buy she would have to get her own mortgage and buy it off the bank who are now in possession.

Could get a bargain IF they were able to get the mortgage

whoops cross post.

there are 7 of us Lovelyladuree - I dont fancy living in a two bedroomed house....

It's a terrible situation OP, you have my sympathy.

The schools around here are at bursting point and the council are actually thinking of building one in the local park because there's no room anywhere else.

One of the Mums I know has 2 Primary children in 2 different schools. One is on the other side of the Borough as it's all they could offer.

Yet she gets bollocked by both schools for being late at drop off/pick up, but what else can she do?

Also if/when another place becomes available for one of he kids, she'll have to fork out for new uniforms too.

Have you tried schools in Cheshire or North Wales? Not too far from Wirral for a commute to work & you might find a house in the area?

Couldn't they stay at the current school? Surely it would be easier to get the kids to one school rather than risk them bein split up and trying to get them to 3 different schools? If council can't fin you closer school then would thy lot have to provide transport to the current school?

Given that schools seem to be so full all over the area, could you talk to the LA about funding transport from your new home to your DCs current school? It might not be usual but perhaps they would consider it as they can't offer you places anywhere else?

Call the council again and try and speak to a more useful member of staff (they do exist!)

Tiggy

There are places, just not in the same school and the council will view it as parental preference to move. Fair access protocol (which I have been through) is then only instigated when there is no 'appropriate' school place (so SEN or complex needs).

Its shocking and scary but I know little you can do about it but try and fight it... school transport varies area to area but if the council are saying that they will ensure that your children are with that 2 mile radius (which is nothing unless you have 3 at different points within that mile radius) and as such you probably wont get transport but you broker this as a deal to accept a school.

Admissions tribunals cost the LA money so they are keen to avoid.
PLEASE contact your local parent partnership tho quality varies.

Can't they stay at their current school? I know rules vary by local authority but down here (Greater London borough) once you're in, you're in.

I haven't lived there for 20+ years but the Wirral isn't so huge that the school run from where you're moving to would be that bad, would it? (unless they're at school in New Brighton and you're having to move to Parkgate or beyond/vice versa?)