AIBU to consider reporting a possibly false school catchment address?

[Annoymo]

I just found out a boy in DS’s class is going to a certain school that I know has an extremely strict catchment policy. I have a feeling they gave the in-laws address as the in-laws live near the catchment. We actually live close to this school than this boy so I’m really surprised they got a place. There is no SEN or sibling reason they got priority.

Morally I feel this is really bad of them but then I’m thinking why get involved. What would you do? How would you even report this?

@Tel12 in which case the school will know to dismiss the report immediately. So what’s the problem with reporting it?

Exactly.

If my kid had been turned down for that school and I'd really wanted him to go there, I'd probably be out for blood.

Otherwise, I'd mind my own business.

It doesn’t sound as though that’s the case. And if that’s occurred, it’s for the parents to appeal. OP has no idea why the place has been given. It may well be due to other needs.

They won't need weeks of stress gathering evidence. If they've applied from where they live it will be quick and easy to prove that
It doesn't mean they investigation is instantly over with and officers say kk then

From the minute they get the phone call the worry begins. Even if they took bills to the council office the same day the case isnt immediately shut down. It can take 2 to 6 weeks for a formal letter closing the case depending on council back log.

Even if you know you are in the clear, not that many people can honestly say it wouldn't cause them some anxirty until they got a case closed letter, I'll bet.

in which case the school will know to dismiss the report immediately. So what’s the problem with reporting it?
There's loads of reasons.

So I take it you both with be personally investigating and reporting all the illegal immigrants currently taking up secondary school places? Anyone on benefits who hasn’t paid taxes into our education system? Those who can no longer afford private school due to VAT increases? Or would you prefer them to fiddle things financially to stay private and out of good state schools? Where do you draw the line on following the rules?

Once Mr Farage is out next PM there will be plenty more secondary places, so these dilemmas will become obsolete.

No - if the authority checks its records, notices that the child is in fact a long term foster child and therefore gets priority, then they won’t even need to approach the family. There are lots of reasons this child might get a priority place that the OP would be totally unaware of.

It impacts a child though. One who will now have to travel much further or go to a much worse school.

Which is shit but OP has no idea why that child has been admitted to that school.

Incorrect.

In this case the school will look at the address used on the application.

If the family didn't lie about their address, are out of catchment but legitimately got in on other grounds then no further investigation.

If the parents lied then there will be an investigation and 'anxiety'. This is entirely the families own making.

Another family might have anxiety about their child travelling miles each day and will rightfully get the place they should have been given. Anxiety removed.

No problem with reporting it.

I know other parents are suspicious about my daughter’s place at her school. But her background is none of their business so I just let them remain suspicious rather than share her personal information.

@spekky I’ll say this again, as people seem to be struggling to understand. If OP reports it, and if this child has a legitimate reason for having a place, OP’s report will be disregarded. No harm will come to the child or their family. They won’t even know about the report. Literally the only loss to anyone is the time it takes for OP to report it and school to check their records.

But the point is there’s no reason for OP to report it, and doing so just comes across as spiteful and nasty.

@ThankYouNigel you obviously have another agenda. This thread is about a child who lives out of catchment.

But as you should know, catchment is actually very low down on the list of reasons why school places are allocated. OP does not know whether there are SEN issues, she’s assumed.

Incorrect.
In this case the school will look at the address used on the application.
If the family didn't lie about their address, are out of catchment but legitimately got in on other grounds then no further investigation.

Incorrect in my expierence supporting a family as I stated further along on the thread. It wasn't as simple as " oh thanks for the utility bill you are showing us, no problem'

It took weeks to get a letter saying the case was closed. The anxiety was caused because the family knew someone was trying to catch them out.

@spekky of course she doesn’t know. And if there’s a legitimate reason, her report will be disregarded and the child will be none the wiser. No harm done. But if the family have lied to steal a place from a child in catchment, then the place may be removed so that the place can be allocated as per the guidelines.

Nope, but don’t be a hypocrite only having an issue with certain children out of catchment breaking the rules. A child who’s parents say they are living with grandparents, who’ve no doubt spent years paying taxes into our education system, is still far higher up the priority order than those who have zero right to attend school here. But I bet you don’t have an issue with those rule breakers? I cannot abide by hypocrisy.

Exactly. The children of teachers get priority. My teacher friend switched to teach in a private school purely for this reason. Children in care, safeguarding reasons. Absolutely none of OP’s business.

@FlagDay no one is asking you to share your child’s personal information. Where did you get that idea? OP is just wondering if she should report this particular case. She’s not asking for reasons why this child might have a legitimate place. How would you feel of your child lost their place because someone lied?

Report to the Council Admissions Team.
They have procedures in place to investigate.

@spekky how do you know there’s no reason to report it? Maybe OP’s child has missed out on a place? Or someone they know has?

@ThankYouNigel this thread is about reporting a child who lives out of catchment. If you like you can start another thread about school allocations in general.

If that was the case she’d have said in the OP. It’s really none of her business.