Is this admission fraud? AIBU to report it?

[grammarmom]

Here's the situation.

We live in a grammar school catchment area that gets smaller every year. When we bought our house several years ago, it was very comfortably within the catchment for an excellent local grammar (very high in the league tables), and oh boy was it reflected in the price. Now we're right on the boundary. Among the thirty or so houses around us, some children got in last year and some didn't, literally a difference of a few yards.

Another child on our street, who is in the same class as my DC, only just passed the 11+ (a few points above the pass threshold). We live on the same road, but they are about 50 yards further from the school gate. Based on last year's distances, my child would likely get a place while theirs wouldn't.

Over the weekend, during a sleepover, the child mentioned that her mother has now rented a house much closer to the school to secure a higher priority for admission. The tenancy was apparently signed one day before the cut-off date, making it "legal" for admission purposes. She still owns their original home, but the story being presented is that relatives who were previously "homeless" will now live there free of charge, and all bills and utilities have been transferred into those relatives' names (I strongly suspect that the mother will in fact pay these bills as those relatives are penniless).

She's even moved the children's belongings to the rented property and makes them spend nights there (they hate it). There's no doubt that once the school place is obtained, they will move right back.

This effectively pushes my child down the priority list and means they may now miss out.

Would this constitute admissions fraud? It feels incredibly unfair that someone with £40k to spare for rent can effectively buy their way into a top grammar school, especially when their child didn't perform particularly well in the exam (despite being tutored for hours every day).

Should I report this? I have no more detail apart from what this child told me (and they obviously weren't too sure about some aspects of it due to age).

I'd report. If it's so above board and so on, then nothing will happen. I don't think it's above board at all though.

what happened last year might not happen this year ie you have no idea how many kids in catchment there are who get in. Last year might have been a higher birth year.

Can you link the source for this 'fact'. I think you will find you can't......

exactly. I would like to see the OP son pass the 11+ in a second language.

No. Learning by rote doesn't help understanding, it may get the info in but doesn't help you use it. Problem solving with informed feedback does that. There are also various memory strategies that can be learnt.

People process information in different ways, you find your own strengths and weaknesses and work with them. You also need to develop the self discipline to apply yourself when you may not have the motivation. Imo participating in a sport is the epitome of this.

All these people saying ‘she played the game better than you’ - she may not have done. I promise you, many grammar schools won’t fall for this.

this is from a grammar school in bucks’ admissions policy:
b. If a family still owns a property within 20 miles of the school which has been the main family home, a property closer to the school will not be accepted as the basis for a legitimate residence qualification even if the former property is leased to a third party.

and this from a grammar school in Reading:

If the main address has changed temporarily, for example where a family is renting a property on a Short Term Tenancy Agreement, then the parental address remains that at which the parent was resident before the period of temporary residence began unless it can be shown that all ties to the previous address have been relinquished, or that the move is not easily reversible. The Governors may refuse to base an allocation on an address which might be considered only a temporary address or an address of convenience.

I’d at least call the school/council anonymously OP, and see if what they have done is acceptable. I’m not sure if legal comes in to it, but the schools own admission policy does.

No, I didn't make anything up. The child is simply chatty and tends to overshare. They told me their mum was very stressed dealing with the letting agency and was angry with someone on the phone, saying the move had to happen by tomorrow because of the local authority deadline. They also mentioned how she told them it would be great because the school is right next door - it's about a 30-minute trip from here. The whole conversation started because they said they now have to spend nights in this new house, which they described as an absolute dump with terrible internet. And that Auntie X now lives in the old house.

If they’re refugees I doubt they can afford the other mum’s house either. Now you’re just clutching at straws. The other mum played the system. I hope the op plays back.

During Covid my youngest didn’t have the opportunity to sit his AQE ( NI 11 plus equivalent) because of some dickhead parent and their crap reasoning about it being unfair due to Covid. You can bet I’m still bitter that I watched less able children get a grammar place over my child who didn’t get a choice of secondary school. To the op, definitely investigate the situation further with the school.

If Auntie X lives in the old house, then of course, the other mum can go around and visit and will have her car parked there.

Blame the system. You would do exactly the same if you had the money.
Morals wouldn't come into the equation and you should admit that to yourself.

It's morally a bit rubbish but she's done it just on the right side of the law and but without sacrifice. Her kids have to live for a year in a house they hate and it's costing her 40k plus bills for two homes. It's cheaper than private but still a big dent in finances.

You can report but what's she's done is within the rules so nothing will happen.

I am old and thought that there would be loads of school places due to a falling birth rate.

After reading this thread and learning that those pushed out of fee paying education are in competition with so many.

I am wondering why are people who were here because of war staying years after the war ended longer and they are taking up limited school places and housing?

Why are, I presume, retired specialist workers who brought children here, still here, taking up houses and limited schools places and then on top getting annoyed at other migrant families? I fund it quite bewildering.

I thought that this thread was about a cheeky pisstaker playing the school system and it transpired that you have quite another story that has evolved.

To those who struggle for school spaces and are struggling for housing I am so sorry for you, I don't think it should be this unfair.

No, I wouldn't. I could have easily afforded to do the same, but I didn't.

They will be able to afford it if the mum is charging a lower rent which is possible because she owns the house but obviously wouldn't be possible in a rental property where the landlord is a stranger.

Of course the mum is playing the system but anyone who can buy their way into an expensive catchment area is to a certain extent. Plenty of DC out there who would get into the grammar school if their parents had money to buy their way into the catchment area.

The system is based on unfairness, people just don't like it when it involves THEIR child.

Saddest thing here are the two best friends who are probably going to be ripped apart.

At this level of effort, the child deserves the space.

(this happens all the time round by me btw - I wouldn't dream of reporting)

Just mind your own business.

You need to name change @grammarmom

OP, this happens around me all the time. Especially as new builds pop up constantly and push everyone else further and further out.
Honestly my view is if people can afford it and are willing to go to the effort then why not, it isn’t fraud and some days I think if I had disposable income like that I’d do it too. Nothing will come of reporting whatsoever and please don’t allow your son to fall out with his friend over it!

If it’s unfair then the gloves are off. Report her op! I wouldn’t let this go! As you said it’s all fair game when your own children are involved.

Yes you should report it. The council with have a way you can do this on an anon basis. This happened to us, we didn't get a place at our local primary school due to people renting second residences/ using parents addresses etc. My understanding is they can't take a place away after the child has started but can change decisions if it is clear they have lied about main residence, before the start date.

To see these sort of shenanigans with people elbowing others out of the way to gain an advantage is just nauseating. You should both be ashamed of yourselves.

This could be used as a case study regarding the abysmal state of education in this country. And the OP and her friend could be used as examples of the worst kind of parental behaviour. I think they are actually both as bad as each other in different ways.

I would not report anything. The other mum will of course know it’s you. And I would just feel too sneaky, like the tell-tale busybodies during Covid. Embarrassing.

So the op should just lie down and accept the status quo? Screw that. Every man for himself! We think we’re so morally superior but we’re essentially animals when it comes to protecting our young.

She can absolutely report her but then she may have to accept that decision will likely lose her DC their best friend.

It also depends on the LA. If OP has studied the admissions and policies very carefully then chances are this mum has too and she may very well have found a legal loophole.

Meh , friends come and go! There’s always a chance she missed something. The op has absolutely nothing to lose by reporting it.