How am I meant to do this? Whole life change :( AIBU to be panicking?

[BarbaraVineFan]

I am a single mum to my 6 year old DD who currently goes to the primary section of the private school in which I teach in the secondary section. Just found out today that the school is closing :( so upset and anxious because I don’t know what to do regarding schools!

I am looking at some jobs now but I think I’m going to need to move to a new area, as there are none near here. But I don’t really understand how it works for my DD if she is going to be going into year 2 in a state school. I can only apply once I live in the area but won’t be moving until shortly before the start of term, so if she doesn’t get in I will not be able to start work and will be in breach of contract! Can anyone advise? When you move to a new area, how hard is it to get into a school? Really panicking and haven’t slept a wink. Any advice much appreciated!

Wouldn't the ideal solution be that you find another private school with a similar arrangement? I know that limits things, but it would make things pretty easy.

I'm in a different country but we have a similar set up with universities. A lot of university faculty like me have the benefit of being able to enroll our children in certain private/public schools as a benefit of the job, that would otherwise be unaffordable or highly selective etc. Were I to loose my job, that would be my first option - find another university with the same situation in a different location.

Obviously if there are no private school jobs than you have no choice, in that case I would rely on the fact that LAs have to provide education for all Children, so even if you arrive late, she should end up with something, although obviously it is hard to find comfort in that level of uncertainty.

Unfortunately it totally depends on the school's place availability. If it is full, it is full.
I suggest picking a few schools and contacting them to see what availability there is and then making your decision re the area to look for yourself.

Did you receive a big discount and can’t afford a different private school?

We moved a few years ago when DC were in primary and basically couldn’t apply for a school until the sale had gone through which didn’t happen till early August. The council closed school admissions over the summer holidays so the application wasn’t processed till early September. They missed the first week back as a result but did get in. I recall it being a super stressful time and we didn’t get the school we wanted either which was on our street, the only one with a place was a 30 min walk away.

You’ll sort it but you need to get moving before the summer holidays.

You need to find out if any of the schools you’re interested in are oversubscribed or not. A lot of primary schools are undersubscribed at the moment but it depends on area. Look for jobs and then ask around nearby.

When you speak to schools ask how many places they have available in the class.
I think the current year 1s are a low birth year overall due to COVID so it might be a bit easier than you think.

Look for a new job with a similar set up, but yes that may involve moving areas

You don’t need to live in an area to apply to a school. When we moved, we had two places at a school long before moving. It’s only if you go onto the waiting list that where you live becomes an issue, because you won’t have any priority.

I think I would contact schools admissions for your local council. I would also contact schools in the area and see if you can go on their waiting list. It is a different process for in year transfers compared with reception and year 7 entry.

Year 1 are a low birth rate year but it's not due to COVID, they were all either born or already conceived by the time COVID started.

I would start looking immediately op, ring schools directly and ask how many spaces they have in her year and try and get the ball rolling before summer. Alternatively you may be able to find a childminder who could take her until she gets a school place

in the area I live in you ring the school to see if there are any places people usually do this when they are looking at houses. If the school say there is a place and you choose a house in the catchment it is wise to ring before exchange to check there is still a place as people have been caught out. Once you’ve exchanged you can apply for a school place.

You can apply for a place in any school regardless of where you live and if there is a place they have to give it to you.

What they can’t do is keep a place open but you could probably stretch it to two weeks using guile!

So as soon as you have firm plans you can apply. My dd started the next day when we moved.

If there isn’t a place then you would have to apply to another school. You can go on a waiting list but you would be waiting for someone to leave.

To be honest I would stop thinking about it until much later. There is nothing you can actually do about it until you know where you are going to live. And worrying about it isn’t going to make any difference.

The local authority have a responsibility to find you a place (assuming you are looking for a state school).

it won’t necessarily be at a school of your choice but they do have to find you one.

in the event the schools are full there is the Fair Access protocol which is intended to make sure all children get a school place as soon as possible.

eg this is the one for Cambridgeshire

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/schools-learning/apply-for-a-school-place/fair-access-protocol-for-children-without-a-place