Place for one child, not another?

[SchnitzelVonKrumm]

We are moving to a new area where all the primary schools are heavily oversubscribed. Our favoured school has a place open for which one of our children meets the requirements (Y2) but not for the other child (reception). We have been advised to accept the place if it's offered (which seems likely) but school and local authority are being extremely vague about what will happen with the other child, beyond saying she will be high priority as a sibling. Has anyone been in this position and what happened? We are moving a fair distance from their current school and it would not be feasible to keep them there for more than a few weeks.

I would probably accept it and then put the other child on the waiting list, normally schools do give siblings the first option if another place comes up. Year 2 is quite important.

Agreed with bitsyandbetty. They must find a place for your younger child but it may not be at the favoured school. However, once your older child is at the school your younger child will probably go to the top of the waiting list. You can also appeal for a place for your younger child once the LA has formally said there isn't a place for her at your favoured school. Your chances of success depend on whether or not it is an infant class size case.

agree with prh47bridge who is a very knowledgeable source on all matters admission related

It probably will be a class size issue as the school is oversubscribed. I don't really want to move her then move her again, poor girl . On the other hand, it is a London school with an intake of 90 so I find it hard to believe no-ojne will move away.

Being oversubscribed doesn't necessarily make it a class size issue. However, if it has an admission number of 90 it would be class size, meaning an appeal would almost certainly fail. So your best bet is through the waiting list.