Suspected School Place Fraud

[SchoolFraudDilemma]

This is more a WWYD.

If you suspected someone had fraudulently applied for a secondary school place, would you report it?

There is a very outside chance of an EHCP but it is unlikely.

I suspect that they've used a different address to their actual address when applying.

They live approx 6 miles from the school. According to the local authority data, the furthest place offered was 1.2m from the school.

Would you report it or just mind your own business?

[Hoppinggreen]

If you report and it’s investigated and there’s no truth in it it won’t matter but if it is true then another child will get their rightful place.

[LastRoloIsMine]

I could not be arsed.

[C152]

No, I wouldn't report them.

[BelleSausage]

If it is a highly competitive entry then I’d report. We have a huge waiting list and every year there are students who don’t get in, despite living right in the edge of catchment and then having to bus to the local town (50 mins away) because someone in the local town has used the grandparents address to apply. Every year.

[TeenMinusTests]

@Hoppinggreen

If you report and it’s investigated and there’s no truth in it it won’t matter but if it is true then another child will get their rightful place.

Exactly. And if all you are doing is querying the address, then if it is the same one you supply the family themselves won't even have to be contacted so won't put any stress on them at all. Similarly, if the LA can see there was a reason for higher criteria that you don't know about.

[NailsNeedDoing]

I’d mind my own business.

While I appreciate the point that PPs have made about it denying another child a place, all children deserve a place at a good school. A child missing out on a school place because a parent has fibbed is no worse than a child missing out because their parents don’t live close enough. Either way, a child loses out.

[TeenMinusTests]

People saying MYOB. Would you be happy if your own child missed out due to 1 or more fraudulent applications?

[WhoStoleMyCheese]

Report it

[ShrewYou]

Yes but if it's on distance then a child is travelling further to a different school when they shouldn't have to.

[HappyTrain]

Id report it, someone out there was probably gutted today to find out they'd missed out when they'd done everything above board.

[cakewench]

Report it. If they have an EHCP then the school knows and nothing comes of it. If they don’t, they’ll investigate.

[MargaretThursday]

Report. If there is a legitimate reason, such as looked after child etc that is easily enough proved.

I've seen enough children go through stress through being denied a school to know it isn't a victimless crime.
Why should a child whose parents have been honest (and if they were the one that just missed out, then their parents will almost certainly have known that it wasn't a foregone conclusion that got a place, so could have tried being dishonest if they were that way inclined) be the one that missed out?

[Gubanc]

@CeeceeBloomingdale

It depends, if my child had missed out on place because of it I would be more likely to want to report it. if it didn't affect me I'd keep out of it.

So if somebody else is affected it's okay as long as it's not you?

[LemonSwan]

Meh, leave it. All is fair in war and love.

[Justforphoto]

They live approx 6 miles from the school. According to the local authority data, the furthest place offered was 1.2m from the school.

Any child admitted under a EHCP or previously looked after child or a couple of other reasons why it could be done would not show as the furthest admitted child, the 1.2m only applies to children who are admitted solely on distance criteria so there may be children from further away attending for one reason or another.

[Chewingle]

I’m presuming your child didn’t get a place at the school in question?

[murbblurb]

a large chunk of MN have clearly never left the playground.

report it. Either it is ok, in which case it's fine, or it is not in which case something might be done.

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

Of course report. It doesn't matter if it's your child missing out or not.

[spongedog]

please report. You, or rather one, may not agree with the admission criteria, but at least they are clearly disclosed.

I knew of people locally who moved literally to the next street, rented a house, to get into catchment area (for primary school). House rental was £3500 per calendar month. That isnt rent that a normal family can afford, whilst still paying mortgage on their (lovely) house in the next street. I didnt know what to say, so I just dropped contact as quickly as possible. This person still has local friends and a local business. I dont use their business - their lack of integrity really offends me. But clearly I am a wierdo on this site as it shouldnt be my business. (There was no direct impact to my family). #shocking

[Jumpers268]

@Wearywithteens

Report - they’ll be duty bound to investigate and if the child has a rightful place then no harm done, but if not they have denied another child their place.

Yup. This.

[Ihatemyseleffordoingthis]

Nose out - the kid could have EHCP as you mention, or have been looked after, for all you know, or there could be other circs

3 kids at secondary here - youngest just got his place today
Each school has required us to bring in documented proof of address

[peak2021]

If you are 100% sure then report. Not if you have doubts such as if they are a looked after child or adopted or have an EHCP.

[TheLumpySofaCushion]

@spongedog

please report. You, or rather one, may not agree with the admission criteria, but at least they are clearly disclosed.

I knew of people locally who moved literally to the next street, rented a house, to get into catchment area (for primary school). House rental was £3500 per calendar month. That isnt rent that a normal family can afford, whilst still paying mortgage on their (lovely) house in the next street. I didnt know what to say, so I just dropped contact as quickly as possible. This person still has local friends and a local business. I dont use their business - their lack of integrity really offends me. But clearly I am a wierdo on this site as it shouldnt be my business. (There was no direct impact to my family). #shocking

This isn't the same as to be honest, if they were actually living in the rented house then they met the criteria.