To move schools... again.

[OnTheB]

WWYD?
Move home on the 18th Oct, my 5 and 6 year old had to change schools.
The School closest didn't have any places for my 6 year old, so I applied to a school that did.

My 5 year old got a place my 6 year old didn't by the time the application went through.
My 5 year old started and I'm home schooling my 6 year old while he's been placed on the waiting list for a place.

My thoughts are; It's been 2 weeks, I don't have the best feeling about the school my daughter is currently in, also its a 15 min walk with my 1 year old and my 5 and 6 year old, my son is now on the waiting list.

I'm thinking of applying for the closer school. My thoughts are, my 5 year old wouldn't miss any school as she would finish this school and start the new one the following school day. My 5 year old has only been there 2 weeks , said not fussed about going to another school (already had tears over 2 girls not being very nice- teacher explained this was common with these 2 girls 🤨) If my 6 year old doesn't get a place, he's in the exact same situation he is now but at least my daughter is in a closer school, which will make life for us all 100 times easier.
He can go on the list at the closer school and continue to be home schooled, like he is now.

WWYD? Please be kind, this has been A VERY stressful, upsetting week. I'm just looking to get some other opinions on this. Thanks

YABU - Keep 5 year old in school shes in.

YANBU - Apply for the closer one, I would.

You’re overthinking it. Apply for places in school that’s closer. If there is a space, put them in. If not, carry on as you are.

Get any place you can in school A, then if you don’t want to home educate appeal for a place for the other child. It’s worth a shot with that or trying fair access

I'd go with School A, better for you all as it's closer and if your daughter is already having issues with some children in her class it's a good opportunity to stop that, without her getting too connected to the school. As a PP has said, in year 3 the head teacher has the discretion to allow class sizes over 30 (up to 36 I believe) so worst case scenario, hopefully the wait list would be no longer than for year 2.

I'd check the waiting list criteria for your area, and also see if you can get an idea from the heads about turnover of kids.
DS1 wouldnt have got a school place at our preferred school until he went to secondary (we moved in Y5). People just didnt leave the school. I'm very glad we didnt take the risk of putting his brother in and waiting for a place.

It's an impossible decision to make. I dont envy you, but think I'd be tempted to move to school A, unless it is a tiny school with a pretty static population.