To want my kids to go to the same school?

[jengles]

We're moving in the summer (long distance rather than locally) & will be in the geographical catchment of the one of the local schools (school A) in a 2 primary school town.

Called them today to check what info was needed to apply, we've been told they only have a space for one child (our older one) & while the younger one would be top of the waiting list & would have space the following year as they expand the class size.

School B also have a waiting list for my younger child's year.

The admission officer for school A says that it is likely our son will have to go to school in another village (either 2 miles/8mins drive or 3 miles/10mins drive)... interesting school run to get them
both there given husband will be commuting an hour (& guess I won't be rushing to get a new job 🤦🏻‍♀️)

Understand application for son will be rejected and we will be given chance to appeal - AIBU to ask if these ever successful/any salient things to put into it?

Or, does anyone have any positive stories about moving to a new area and having their children at different primary's in different towns/villages and still being able to make friends/get involved in school life/keeping up with admin?!

What school year?
I had success with appeal last year, but it was a Yr4 place. Just being a sibling vwasnt enough, there were other factors involved as well.

Could they both go to the school in the next village? I'd really try to get them both in the same school if at all possible

I'm assuming if expanding the class size next year infant class size regs still apply so exceptionally unlikely to win an appeal, sorry OP

Send them both to school in another village?

If it's literally the top of the waiting list then things might well change as there's generally a leaver each year in a lot of schools.

Mine got into the same leafy cofe sought after, outstanding primary. Suited one not the other. They spent one year at the same school.

DS is 25, DD is 22. Next year they will be at the same educational institution since they were 5 and 8 .

Square pegs and round holes op!

Will be going into y5 & y2

Both going out of town for school is an option, but transfer into the local school would then be impossible & was hoping they (&me) would have walking distance friends.l

I think this is the norm everywhere no? Popular schools are generally oversubscribed, people move to be in catchment before children have even been born.

You say you are in catchment but imho catchments dont mean a lot these days. You might do better looking at local statistics about how close the school people are living who are getting places every year. Eg my village school has a catchment extending 2 miles, but you often need to be within 0.8-1m to be sure of a place as the school is oversubscribed.

Ask what the criteria are that decide the waiting list eg is it distance to school?

I would stay on the waiting list.
If school B is further than 2 miles and is the nearest available school then the LEA should provide transport that will help with your school run issue.

There may be lots more movement over the summer, people who had to delay moving due to lockdown will be moving so you may be able to get a space

Other option is to homeschool the younger until a place comes up.

@BrieAndChilli

I would stay on the waiting list. If school B is further than 2 miles and is the nearest available school then the LEA should provide transport that will help with your school run issue.

There may be lots more movement over the summer, people who had to delay moving due to lockdown will be moving so you may be able to get a space

Other option is to homeschool the younger until a place comes up.

Didn't realise it was 2 miles for primary (know it's 3+ for secondary), after the last few months I know I am not cut out to be a home educator

Given that it’s only two years until your eldest goes to secondary and thus they’re at different schools anyway, is it really the end of the world if they’re at different schools?

They’ve had the experience of being at the same school until now, and presumably will again when your youngest goes to secondary.

You’ve chosen to move house while your children are already in education, and this is one of the costs of that - you have to take the school places that are available.

Your yr5 child is not far off being able to wait outside for you or walk home so it might not be as you think.

I would take the places for the best schools / the one that suits each child. If it’s the school your oldest has a place in but not your youngest - you will be surprised as often places come up even though they have said you need to wait a year. Our village has both infant schools (reception to 2) junior schools (3-6) and then high schools. Having children at different schools is very common rather than being unusual.

I’ve just checked out LEA school transport site and it says 1.5 for primary and 2 miles for secondary!! So I would check you LEA.
We are a rural county though so unless in a town or right by the school in a village it’s not safe to walk which is maybe why they have a shorted qualifying distance

You might be lucky with a place. My youngest class had 24 siblings and only 6 non sibling places when he started in a sought after school. There’s been lots of movement over the years, some have gone to private school for juniors, some moved away etc.