To be cross that new family in village have got their children into our full school on appeal and have bumped up class size to 31.

[31inclass]

The family have moved almost opposite the school and hence became first on the waiting list. The school is extremely popular, and is always full with a waiting list in Reception year. The school turned them down initially but they have got two children in on appeal, one in Reception and one in Year 2.

It is a CofE aided school with strict admission criteria including attendance at our local church for at least two years, one parent has to be confirmed etc. I've heard through the grapevine that the family don't meet any of the criteria, but have got in simply because the LEA have said that it is cheaper for them to send them to this school than fund the cost of taxis to the next nearest school.

My children are also in both these classes, which now have 31 children although the LEA has paid for an extra teacher so it is now a ratio of 31 children to 2 teachers. This applies until another child leaves and then the class goes back to 1 teacher.

Some parents are ok with what has happened because of the extra teacher. Some are quite upset and angry because they know other parents on the waiting list and they feel the parents have worked the system. They also feel that as the school building and grounds are small that the school should be allowed to stick to 30 per class.

I don't want to ostracize the parents or children but I must admit that I do feel a bit cross myself, having made a lot of effort to meet the criteria when I applied. AIBU?

In response to the op: I would be delighted having 1 extra child and 1 more teacher in the classroom. A result in my books!

My DS's class has had 33 in in for 3 years but no extra teacher here.

Wow. I moved to a new area, all very last-minute and my DC will be the 31st child in the class.

It sounds like this family DO meet one of the criteria. They live opposite the school! The school is there to provide an education for LOCAL children or children of a particular faith.

YABU and I advise you not to say anything, as if anybody implied to my face that my DC was somehow less deserving of a place than their own DC, on the grounds that somebody else had lived in the area longer, or made cucumber sandwiches for the fete, I would give them a piece of my mind.

It is the years ahead that count. It doesn't matter where anybody lived 6 months ago.

i hope you are happy i your new home and not subject to any cliquey new-to-the-village-bloody-incomers vibe. community is composed of individuals who live and access community service inc school

This comment says to me that you tried to work the system (you're not alone,and I'm not judging you for that).

"I must admit that I do feel a bit cross myself, having made a lot of effort to meet the criteria when I applied".

But, moving to the house opposite the school is also working the system, and it's trumped your efforts.

Your dc will still be offered a place if the Vicar believes you are genuinely 'faithful' though

If they move in opposite the village school of course they should get a place-totally ridiculous to have to drive, or be driven somewhere else when they can see it from their windows!