Getting preferred choice of high school (sibling / location)

[elephant84]

Hi
This is my first post on here. I'm a widower with two boys at primary school.

My eldest starts at our preferred choice of high school in September 2016 (where most of his classmates are going), which is great.

His younger brother will start high school in September 2017.

I hope to move house in the next 12 months, probably a few miles across town (where prices are a little lower). But I'm worried that my youngest might not get in to the same high school if we move before making the selection later this year. There will be other schools which are closer, but I'd prefer them both to go to the same school, with their friends.

Is it safest to wait, or is he likely to get in regardless, because of having a sibling at the school?

It wholly depends on the entrance criteria of the specific school.

Do they have sibling priority?

Thanks - I found a document on the school website which lists the oversubscription criteria / priorities, which I've summarised as:

1. Children in care
2. Siblings
3. Under advice from a medical practitioner or psychologist
4. Pupils living nearest (straight line distance)

This gives me a bit more confidence.

However, I still worry that there are a couple of underperforming schools which are closer to the new house, and they might try to push us towards those. (Our first choice, the one my eldest has got into, is rated outstanding.)

they might try to push us towards those

Assuming you are in England they can't push you anywhere. If you name this school as your first preference and your youngest qualifies for a place through sibling priority they must offer that place. That is the law. The fact there are schools nearer home means you won't qualify for free transport but it will not prevent your son getting a place at your preferred school.

You should be able to find online on LA or school site info on admissions including which category they last offered and distance of that. So you can see how 'safe' you are as a sibling. (Though as a sibling with your priority list as stated one might think you should be fine.)