We have just returned to the Uk. We visited a school which has a place but the school have still not confirmed a start date. They told us they needed to juggle sets and determine what house DS would be in. This was early last week and we both now have to return to new jobs. No family in area. When we visited we told them we had a long planned visit overseas for a close family wedding (DD). This was ok with overseas school - we are returning to uk at fairly short notice (work contact dates changing). We also apologised for the trip and accepted we would be fined by local authority. DS is desperate to start school as it means returning to his peer group before we lift uk. How long is reasonable to sort start dates - there are places available as school told us. It's an academy - admissions are not responding to calls or emails. Can anyone advise on a course of action?