Moving to a house practically nextdoor to a scholl but have been told there's no place........

[clutteredup]

this school is a 3 minute walk away from the house . They have a place for DS but none for DD in reception. DD has been offered a place in another school, 25/30 minute walk away. Its possible DS can go there too but not guaranteed. The nearest school is oversubscribed, 31 in each Year R class because 2 extra got in on appeal.
Anyone else been in this situation - is it worth appealing or do we just have to put up with walking past all children popping down the road to the school nextdoor?

I would say you need to send your DS to the school you want and live with the nightmare of having two kids in two separate schools for a bit, that way with sibling preference and being so close you should be pretty much guaranteed the first space that comes up for your DD. Remember if you don't send him there distance alone won't trump another family with a sibling, even if they are much further away than you.

It might be a good idea for your DH to keep his opinions to himself re. kicking another kid out to give your daughter a place if you're hoping to make friends there

If it is the case that the school is already taking 31 inbto each class as you say in op then they are already in the situation of having to employ an extra teacher - is it worth making use of this? I wonder if there is any way of finding out why the other appeals were successful and whether the Head would be happy to take one more child. There is a similar school here where the Head has supported the parents7 apppeal.