To be annoyed a friend lied about their address on a school application to get into an oversubscribed school

[Liverpoollass2]

I've recently found out a friend has lied on their school application by using another family members address to get their child into an oversubscribed school. The school is one I would have considered but would have been unlikely to get in as its very popular. Friend lives quite far but plans to move within the next few years closer to the school so wants their child at the school now. Its just annoyed me as I know many people who didn't get a place who are more local and feels Iike friend is misusing the system. Friend was able to get a letter with their name on it at the address by signing up for a credit card/store card I believe. I know its none of my business but I just feel annoyed about it now

This is one scenario where I’d report them. Wouldn’t normally snitch on someone.

The child will be fine attending the school they should have got a place at. They can move schools when they move and live in the catchment.

Do you also feel bad for the child who isn't going to the school they should be attending because this child's parents lied?

We have friends who rented a flat close to a school in order to do this and then “officially” moved back to their actual house halfway through the school year. I find it disgusting.

where we live if you are found out to have lied to get a place they do t remove the child if they are already at the school, but they do remove sibling priority for the family so it’s not worth it if you have other children.

Same round here too - if either parent still owns a property that has been the child’s main residence in the last three years, they count the first place. And they do check council tax records, primary school records, ask for GP letters etc because so many people do it.

There is a road around here nicknamed Renters Row, because people sell their house, move into a flat for a year to get their oldest child into the school, then buy a new house back where they used to live and rely on the sibling rule to get the other kids in. These flats basically change hands every September. People are quite open about it.

Someone did this last year at my DC’s primary. Family members live a few miles away close to a very oversubscribed high school. Can’t get in unless you practically live next door. The child is still there!!! Even worse, her mum worked at the primary school and didn’t keep quiet about how she had gamed the system. Their nuclear family home is opposite the primary. God knows how they haven’t got caught out. It’s so unfair and yet they’ve got away with it.

Sounds really flimsy in terms of proof required

People do that with the schools here because they are so fought over. The schools do remove any children who are caught doing so and given you have already found out, it’s likely other parents will or will else the school will hear of it.

The parents have done it to them.

Ours check council tax but also have alternatives. I had to do this as I did the school application but DH paid the council tax and inexplicably hadn't put my name on it( no he wasn't trying to claim he lived alone). It was a while ago but think I had to provide my driving license and a utility bill. I remember it being a right faff and made him put my name on the council tax before the next school application.

Don’t hate the players hate the game. It’s ridiculous that some families are more entitled to their choice of school than other in the first place.

Unless you want classes of 40+, there will always be limits. Same everywhere in the world really.. your address determines your school. Unless you pay for Private.

What, over and above the top criteria schools have to apply BY LAW?

Really?

Im confused by your comment

The top criteria is never distance OP

I presume PP is referring to the need for there to be a criteria for LAC and ECHP above general admission criteria

Neither could I. Of course it’s wrong of the parents. But if you’re going to report this family to the school, at least have the balls to tell them that you’re doing it. Otherwise it’s a really sneaky stab in the back against someone who you describe as a friend.

Top criteria is almost always looked after children, they get priority.

Then it's often those with demonstrable need to attend.

Then Siblings

Then Children in catchment (I know people who've lived a stone's throw away, and not got their first born in because it was filled with siblings!)

Then All others

There's sometimes exceptions, like, children of staff etc shoved in above catchment etc

Well, what would you have happen to the 300 applicants for the 60 places available at our village school? They all get to attend??

Children of staff never get priority!

They do. A secondary school down the road lists them... Let me find the admissions criteria.
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It happens a lot. I'm a secondary school teacher in Scotland. You often get people here claiming that a child lives with a gran or an aunt in order to get into their favoured school.

I've even heard of people renting a flat for a few months, so that they can get a council tax bill as proof of residence in the adjacent LA.

@JulianCasa staff children is a normal criteria in many parts of the country.

They do here as long as they have been employed by the school for a minimum of 2 years.

@JulianCasa see the Admissions criteria...

I was a school governor and we gave children of staff priority. It was a change I suggested.