to expect a school place for my son now instead of January?

[Abbybabbly]

Late admission submitted 3 weeks ago.
Have heard nothing from them apart from my numerous calls to them / schools enquiring about places and waiting lists.
I've found schools with places 7 miles away and said I would take it however the council can't even be bothered to check if that place is still available and inform the school so now they're all starting tomorrow and my sons going nowhere.
Apparently they have until January at the legal age of the term after he is 5 to make an offer according to other parents I've spoken to but surely this isn't right? Is there an official date they should have made an offer by? :(

[Abbybabbly]

We have been to see the school today, they contacted the council directly and they've finally confirmed it all.
I sent the detailed email last night and it included everything you said so maybe that done the trick!
It's a long old way, took just over half hour there this morning with the traffic but it was a lovely feel and has a forest area that my son will love so will stay on the waiting list for local one and see what happens by January when my daughters application needs completing but otherwise I feel it could have been much worse so am far happier than I could have been!