School application - Moving after the application window closes?

[TMarieClara]

Sorry for another school place thread! I'm wondering what happens if you have to apply for school places outside the normal application window? What is the process?

We're in a bit of a weird position. My 3yo will go to reception in 2023. We're planning to move from Surrey to Devon in 2024 (lots of boring financial and planning reasons it needs to be that year), but we could bring this forward by staying with family in Devon from late 2023 if this meant she didn't need to move midyear or between years.

Would we have to apply for those schools by January 2023? Or could we do so when we put our house on the market early summer? Or even once we've actually moved (trickier as that would be very close to the start of term)? Will we lose her place at the school in Surrey by applying in Devon in the summer? (In case she can't get a good slot and we're better off staying?)

Why is it so complicated? And is moving schools mid year or over the summer bad? Or am I just worrying unnecessarily?

To add complication, where we'll be in 2024 is a great catchment area, but the family we'd stay with is close by but in a terrible catchment area

Apply for where you are.

After the closing date you can contact the relevant authorities if you move to sort out new choices etc.

There is tons of movement in the first year of school so she won't be alone in transferring.

I'm not sure staying with relatives would help as you'll need proof of address eg council tax bill

Yes your over thinking.

Apply for where you are living now.

When you move it'll be an in year application. Have a look on your new cities council website.

Living with family won't help and you need proof of address.

A lot of children move around in the early years it'll be fine.

You'll need to apply for a place where you are living at the time the applications close - that's not complicated. Don't add 'what-if' into it, as they probably won't even apply at the time!

You have to apply where she is resident at the time the applications close. If you were to apply to Devon giving a Surrey address it is unlikely she'll get a place.

What you need to check perhaps is the likelihood of their being space in your excellent catchment Devon school as a late entry / mid year transfer as excellent rated schools tend to fill.

If you can't move before the deadline just apply as you are and see how things work out. There isn't really much else you can do unless you can rent in the new area very quickly.

Thanks all. I am probably overthinking it. Just feeling a lot of guilt about moving her at all, and especially as we'll be moving her away from great schools to an area where there are fewer good schools and they're hugely competitive. We just want the best for her.

First child school decisions are so big for us parents.

She will be fine though. 2 kids from my son's reception class moved away last year. A new one moved to the area this year.

Kids deal with these moves pretty well tbh.