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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Losing my mind and considering homeschooling

61 replies

Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 18:17

Moved house to get into a specific school.
The policy is that children in catchment are prioritised. Found out today that we didn’t get in despite living in catchment when other children out of the catchment have got in. I’m genuinely unsure if there has been an administrative error or we have no choice but to appeal which is going to cost £250 . The school we have applied for is the closest and is 0.4 miles from home. The school we have been allocated is on the other side of town, almost 2 miles each way and will take 45 minutes of walking due to hills and driving would be about the same. I’m going to appeal but would I be unreasonable to homeschool and potentially change my work hours as I feel that the stress of a 3 hours of walking too and from school would be too much? I have health issues and chronic illness and couldn’t manage it guaranteed every day.

Feeling so broken and haven’t stopped crying all day.

AIBU to homeschool rather than commute if the appeal fails.

OP posts:
BlondeMummyto1 · 16/04/2025 18:21

Relax! You’re being silly to jump into home schooling.

We moved when my DD was heading to reception. Just as we were about to appeal we got offered the closer school. Try and get on a waiting list as there will be people who don’t want the space.

TheNightingalesStarling · 16/04/2025 18:25
  1. Calm down.
  2. Check they used the correct address. When did you move?
  3. Check the admissions policy.
Sirzy · 16/04/2025 18:29

Did you move before the cut off date for applications?

You need to check the admissions criteria for the school and can appeal if you believe there has been an error. Most schools will have looked after children, those with EHCPs and siblings before any proximity rules. Some will also have separate criteria based on religion depending on the school.

Get yourself on the waiting list for any schools locally that would be more suitable. There is often a lot of movement between now and September

Original poster
Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 18:30

BlondeMummyto1 · 16/04/2025 18:21

Relax! You’re being silly to jump into home schooling.

We moved when my DD was heading to reception. Just as we were about to appeal we got offered the closer school. Try and get on a waiting list as there will be people who don’t want the space.

We moved 1.5 years ago and got admissions in on time. Thanks for advice on waiting lists, I will call round schools tomorrow that are closer than the one allocated and get on the lists. Thanks so much for your response.

OP posts:
Hufflemuff · 16/04/2025 18:32

These things happen! My friends got allocated a school in town A, despite living in town B and being able to see town B school from their living room window - it was that close. On the flipside, they found out via Facebook, that another family were allocated the school in town B, despite living opposite the school in town A. It was like they completely swapped the applications by accident!

They refused to swap them, despite both parents requesting this together.

However, there was a short wait and their DD ended up being admitted to his chosen school at the start of October as he was high on the wait list.

Get in touch with your chosen school, explain the situation and your situation and see what they say. Lots can happen between now and September so places change. The school and local authorities can give you an idea of how oversubscribed your chosen school was.

NowGetUp · 16/04/2025 18:33

The people who live further away may be LAC, SEN etc.. and have been prioritised.

What is the info on the distance from school that the furthest away child lived last year. If it's more than about .8 miles then there may have been an error with them processing your application so I'd advise you to check. However, if it's a v small area and small number of kids that get on, you may simply be furthest away(?)

TheNightingalesStarling · 16/04/2025 18:37

By catchment, do you mean a fixed area from which they prioritise applications, or just the distance they normally give places to?

NC18264 · 16/04/2025 18:42

What’s your LA’s admission criteria? Are the children that have got in out of catchment siblings of children already in school? Are there definite catchment areas or are you using that term to mean the average distance year on year?

If your LA uses set catchments and/or if siblings out of catchment are lower priority then first borns in catchment then it sounds like there has been an administrative error and you have a high likelihood of winning and appeal if you are certain you applied correctly and at the right time

Appeals are usually free. Where have you got £250 from?

DIRECTDORIS · 16/04/2025 18:53

need to point out its home education not schooling

they are completely different(google it)terms

as a home ed family for 10 years its a big bug bear for me when the term is used wrong

Bikergran · 16/04/2025 18:56

If you have chronic health problems, you really are unlikely to be able to adequately homeschool. See if your GP will give you a letter of support citing your health issues.

Original poster
Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 18:59

TheNightingalesStarling · 16/04/2025 18:25

  1. Calm down.
  2. Check they used the correct address. When did you move?
  3. Check the admissions policy.
  1. I’m trying
  2. they have correct address and we made the application on time.
  3. The policy below
Losing my mind and considering homeschooling
OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 19:01

Sirzy · 16/04/2025 18:29

Did you move before the cut off date for applications?

You need to check the admissions criteria for the school and can appeal if you believe there has been an error. Most schools will have looked after children, those with EHCPs and siblings before any proximity rules. Some will also have separate criteria based on religion depending on the school.

Get yourself on the waiting list for any schools locally that would be more suitable. There is often a lot of movement between now and September

Moved in time for cut off and application in on time. Posted the policy image further up. Catchment is higher up on the priority than siblings.

OP posts:
Aussiebear · 16/04/2025 19:02

Not all kids in any catchment get in and sadly 0.4 isn't a safe zone for a lot of schools. Why would a 2 mile drive take 40 mins? Is it really a terrible school? It's a shame but I know lots of people who waited and got their school in the end so don't panic and try the waiting list

Original poster
Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 19:05

NC18264 · 16/04/2025 18:42

What’s your LA’s admission criteria? Are the children that have got in out of catchment siblings of children already in school? Are there definite catchment areas or are you using that term to mean the average distance year on year?

If your LA uses set catchments and/or if siblings out of catchment are lower priority then first borns in catchment then it sounds like there has been an administrative error and you have a high likelihood of winning and appeal if you are certain you applied correctly and at the right time

Appeals are usually free. Where have you got £250 from?

£250 fee correct as know there are x6 out of catchment appeals to be taking place.

Losing my mind and considering homeschooling
OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 19:10

Aussiebear · 16/04/2025 19:02

Not all kids in any catchment get in and sadly 0.4 isn't a safe zone for a lot of schools. Why would a 2 mile drive take 40 mins? Is it really a terrible school? It's a shame but I know lots of people who waited and got their school in the end so don't panic and try the waiting list

I’d have to drive past a busy one way market town shopping area. Real ‘tourist’ spot - think Jo malone and the white company ect on the high street. Took me that time to get to swimming lessons yesterday and thought this isn’t worth it- now this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 19:12

NowGetUp · 16/04/2025 18:33

The people who live further away may be LAC, SEN etc.. and have been prioritised.

What is the info on the distance from school that the furthest away child lived last year. If it's more than about .8 miles then there may have been an error with them processing your application so I'd advise you to check. However, if it's a v small area and small number of kids that get on, you may simply be furthest away(?)

Know for a fact child 6 miles away got in but we didn’t. Just praying this whole thing is a mistake.

OP posts:
motheroreily · 16/04/2025 19:13

Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 18:59

  1. I’m trying
  2. they have correct address and we made the application on time.
  3. The policy below
Show quote history

Do you know how many spaces are offered each year. It seems weird you didn't get a space as you must have been in the second category.

Original poster
Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 19:15

motheroreily · 16/04/2025 19:13

Do you know how many spaces are offered each year. It seems weird you didn't get a space as you must have been in the second category.

Show quote history

20 spaces. We are 25 on the priority list. Child 6 miles away has gotten in.

OP posts:
NC18264 · 16/04/2025 19:15

You need to find out more information. You may have been the furthest away in catchment so missed out. As someone up thread said, it may be the children who got in out of catchment named the school on an EHCP or were previously looked after. You can request the breakdown of admissions from the LA via an FOI and it’s worth doing before you spend that money and time and emotional effort appealing. If there are no EHCPs or looked after children you will have a strong case as it appears no priority is given to siblings at all, even siblings in catchment, (which is a bit unusual).

A PAN of 20 is very very small though, I suspect you may have been unlucky even being in catchment.

Original poster
Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 19:17

NC18264 · 16/04/2025 19:15

You need to find out more information. You may have been the furthest away in catchment so missed out. As someone up thread said, it may be the children who got in out of catchment named the school on an EHCP or were previously looked after. You can request the breakdown of admissions from the LA via an FOI and it’s worth doing before you spend that money and time and emotional effort appealing. If there are no EHCPs or looked after children you will have a strong case as it appears no priority is given to siblings at all, even siblings in catchment, (which is a bit unusual).

A PAN of 20 is very very small though, I suspect you may have been unlucky even being in catchment.

Edited

Thanks so much for your advice. Already started FOI. Parents offered £250. At least I know I’m giving it everything I can.

OP posts:
Aussiebear · 16/04/2025 19:19

If someone 6 miles from any school has got in they're not in the catchment criteria so just focus on your own family. They should publish how many people your distance haven't got in and sounds like you already know you're in a queue with them. I'm sorry but I think it's just how it is

Original poster
Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 19:19

OP here. Just wanted to also state 6 mile away child is lovely and is main reason DC will be devastated not to get in said school.

OP posts:
netflixskivving · 16/04/2025 19:20

20 spaces. We are 25 on the priority list. Child 6 miles away has gotten in.

25 considering you are 2nd category is high. The child who loved further could be 1st category.

netflixskivving · 16/04/2025 19:20

lived

NC18264 · 16/04/2025 19:28

Pinkjellyunicorn · 16/04/2025 19:17

Thanks so much for your advice. Already started FOI. Parents offered £250. At least I know I’m giving it everything I can.

Show quote history

I feel your pain. DC1 didn’t get into our catchment primary (0.4 miles away) on offers day. Our LA prioritised siblings in catchments and it was a bulge year, then other kids just happened to be closer. He did get in in the end, but we were top of the waiting list. It was a horrible few months though.

I can’t see anything on what you’re shared about straight line distance playing a role. If distance was a criteria, even for those in catchment, they’d have to state it. It’s worth looking at your school or LA admission page as to what the ‘tie break’ clause is. Sometimes, if there are more children then can be accommodated in the same priority group, it’s done on random allocation, irrespective of distance. You need to find this out.