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?

You don't know the facts though there may be a legitimate reason he was offered the place. In my area adopted children have priority, perhaps he was adopted or met some other criteria.
If you feel strongly about it you can contact your LA but be prepared for nothing to happen.

Does the school have aptitude tests for sport, music or Drama? Why don’t you ask the parents on what grounds they got a place before reporting something you don’t know for certain

Also, he could previously have been in care which gives priority. This isn’t your problem

This is so weird to me. The council will know where she lives from council tax records! How did they not realise

I would mind my own business.

You have no idea of the circumstances, I would mind my own business on this.

its easy to see why police states continue to exist - so many people so keen to ‘report’ on others.

That's true. They may have been adopted.

Of course you report it!

The best way would be to write to the school, and say that your son was very disappointed he didn't get a place, and you would like to be on the waiting list should a place come available. I'd then politely say that you are a little confused as to how places are allocated, as you only live 5 minutes walk from the school, a child a few doors down got a place, yet a place has also been given to <child's name> who lives in <next borough name>, so not sure why your DS didn't get a place when he lives closer.

Do double check the school's admission criteria though to make sure that the boy didn't get in on other grounds. The council page will list the criteria and show all the places that were offered as this data is published. I teach at a school where staff children get priority, so perhaps this is the case and his mum is a teacher or TA or works in the canteen??

JC - mind your own and get a hobby whilst at it..

Most schools with strict catchment requirements require evidence of residence, not just the parents saying they live there, but real evidence that the child actually does. We had to provide council tax bill AND an official document with our child's name on it to show they lived their e.g. bank statement, doctors letter.
Did you not have to do similar when you applied?

Also, you dont know the facts or history of the child, maybe they are ex forces, or a looked after/previously looked after child, or there is some other valid reason they have been given a place outside of catchment.

So yeah, id suggest you mind your own business tbh.

Do you know what, I do a lot for my child. I teach them about integrity and morals, and how we treat other people in the world. Lying and fraud are not the inheritance I choose to pass on to them.

Assuming this is for a September start, definitely report it to your local school admissions dept. You can do it anonymously. You can email or ring them and you don’t have to give your name. They will investigate but won’t tell you the outcome, or if the place has been correctly given. There are reasons other than SEN or siblings that children get school places from out of catchment. Doing this is absolutely the right thing to do, but doesn’t mean your child will get the place.

You have no idea the lengths some parents go to to provide fraudulent evidence for school places. Councils do make checks but are very grateful for members of the public who provide them with information re parents who might be lying, and taking a school place from a child who should have it.

The number of people saying to mind your own business is shocking. No wonder society is a mess.

You have no idea of the circumstances here. The allocation criteria is strict, this child could have medical or social reasons why he trumps @Annoymo child.

I don't know.

I don't agree with it but at the same time I wouldn't report it. Because it isn't the parents that will suffer, it's the kids who have made friends and settled.

Absolutely none of your business

Because of the parents.

As usual MN gets stuck in a particular word “feeling”!

Of course people got “stuck on it” - it was all the information you have! It only takes a bit of common sense.

Don't be ridiculous.

You only have to look back to covid times to realise there are scores of people ready to inform on their neighbours.

But she is going from a feeling/idea not proof?! She is spending this much energy on something that is a hunch 🤣

If she had been told categorically by the parent they had fraudently claimed a school place it’s different. Otherwise just mind your business!!

How petty!

Leave them alone and mind your own business

People on MN are weird. If you knew someone was committing a crime you'd just go 'oh well I'm not the police let them do what they like'. Except if it came to them and the consequences of the crime/fraud was on them of course they'd say something!

Honestly, I'd say something. Especially if it meant benefiting my children. I'm generally a pretty morally straight person but people lying on school application forms is a massive bug bear of mine. We have kids on the same street as our school not getting in. If I knew someone else had lied too right I'd report it!

No - focus on your own life, this is very interfering and petty. For all you know the mother is definitely moving into that area and doesn't see any point in applying in an area she won't be staying in long term.