AIBU to move for a rental if it leaves DC out of school?

[Forkintheroad2]

Posting for traffic.

Landlord has given us our eviction notice, we have 3 months to leave. Rental market is dire and sparse where we are. We have been offered a rental via a family friend but it would mean moving far from where we are. That would mean DC having to leave school. The area the house is in has a good selection of schools but they are all oversubscribed. I've spoken to the council of that area and they can't offer any help other than to place DC on a waiting list and homeschool in the meanwhile. The schools that aren't oversubscribed are quite rough so we would just keep appealing until we were happy with the school.

Should we leave and gamble DC being out of school indefinitely? The house is perfect and we have fallen in love with it....or do we go back to the uncertainty of not knowing whether we will find a rental in time but trying to stay local for dcs schooling and family/friends

@thismummydrinksgin I think there are schools with places but OP doesn’t like them

They will but that won’t necessarily be the school of choice, if there is one with available places they won’t go over PAN at another, especially in early years/KS1. If you refuse the places offered the LA will see it as your electively home educating as they have done their bit in finding a place.

At that age I’d move. My dd was without a school at 6 for a month and there was no effect on her education ( got a 1st at degree so it didn’t hinder her)

Thats probably the issue, I can imagine there’s lots of outdoor eyc for the 3 yo again, but not for older dc?
are you relocating for work too?

Beggars can't be choosers though seriously I doubt that these "rough schools" are that bad, move into more secure accommodation, take a place at whichever school is closest and go from there

Maybe you can do some home dentistry too

At that age move. There will be a lot more movement at primary age rather than secondary. And presumably your youngest can apply for school there in the normal way

I think a stable home is the most important thing at that age so I would move, assuming it won't affect the ability to keep any existing jobs.

Jobs can be kept, although commutes will be long and with petrol going up we will take quite the hit financially. I'm just worried about DC being out of schools for months and months without any of the schools we like becoming available. But yes I agree a house is the most important thing

@Forkintheroad2 will you not even try the schools that are available? How will your homeschool around jobs?

You can give the schools a chance and then remove them if it doesn't work for you. Don't judge them before getting to know them.

Unfortunately there is not much choice for you . If everything about the house is right you do have to go . Otherwise council could put you in BnB or property far away . Is it likely a good rental in your area comes available? Forest schools aren't in every area you may have to give up that idea and compromise.

If you’re having to commute for work, can you not commute for school till new places found?

@Nofeckingway the rentals coming up our way are not bad but just super expensive and out of budget

Is the new house in the catchment of the schools you think you like?

The majority of councils will only "help" when you are homeless. They usually won't help until the landlord has taken the eviction to court once you have stayed past the end date, then the bailiffs turn up at your door.

What then happens depends on the availability of social housing, but "in the area" could mean a room in a B&B style accommodation, and not guaranteed to be local. You would then stay there until a suitable longer term property comes available. Some areas have VERY little social housing stock.

At 3 an 5, it's not the worse time to be out of school given many countries don't start school until age 7!! Either home school them and put them on the waiting list of your chosen school, or put them in a school that DOES have a space and then if a place at your preferred school opens up, move the kids.

When you say you don't like these schools, does that mean you have actually looked round them already? Don't judge any school based on anything online or Ofsted. Go and look round if you haven't.

When is the younger one turning 4? If it's after September, they'll be applying for a reception place in the normal round of things, and should therefore get your nearest school, at least. Your older one will probably then go to the top of the waiting list for that school under the sibling rule.
In the meantime, most primaries are okay - take the place you are offered and see how it goes.

Did you tour the schools that have spaces?

I’d move and get them into a school (even if not preferred) and go on the waiting list for the ones you like.

They will have to find you a place once you are there.

@TomatoSandwiches new house is in no catchment areas annoyingly!

How will you home school and work? You mention jobs can be kept but the commute is long.

Have you asked the county how far you are on the wait list for the desired schools? If they won't even show you around then I guess they don't see it as imminent and these schools are small. You might need to compromise - it sounds like you like the schools because of their outdoor provision. Most drop this by KS2 anyway. Would it not be better for them to get an education and focus on outdoor learning with them at weekends?

Have you got a better choice?

With kids that age I’d move. I’d definitely prioritise secure living arrangements. I would be astonished if you don’t end up with a school place reasonably soon.

In the meantime though I would definitely look at the less good schools and give them a chance- even if they have a few issues in the upper years, the early years might be fine. Speak to the teacher and get a feel for them and look at the Ofsted and how it’s been assessed specifically for early years etc.

@Moonnstarz the council wouldn't disclose how long the waiting lists are. I think that's because it doesn't depend on where you are on the list but what category of priority you fall into when a space becomes available