School entery- Does this situation sound dodgie to you ??

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, my friends daughters used to go to a very presigious private school. She's recently had to take them out. The school she applied to is the nearest state primary to this private school. She is not in the catchment, but her oldest daughter was offered a place streight away. Then they said to her "don't say anything, but we think there might be a place for your youngest daughter soon", and there was. About 2 weeks later she was in too.
This primary school is very sought after because of the area and they have a LOT of ex private school pupils. There's been loads of people I know that have applied and been turned down.
It could be totally legitimate, but it does make you wonder.

if her dd2 was put on the waiting list at the same time as dd1 joined she would have priority as a sibling, possibly over any others who were already on it but without. The school may well have already known a child was likely to leave imminently from the relevant year group.

True, they are both a lot happier at this school anyway. I'm glad they have been accepted but it just seemed a bit convinient to the school, as they get a lot of children who've had a head start.

i wouldnt think that any state school would even ponder not following admissions criteria to the letter. If they are not entering in the intake year- there often are spaces at popular schools-people unlikely to move their kids if a space comes up later- and yes little sister would take prority as sibling

be pleased for them!

I've just said, I'm pleased for them. I'm glad they are happy.

And they haven't had a head start just because they went to private school!!

After teaching here for many years, I wa surprised to find out the other day that siblings only have priority if they are entering Reception (Leeds). Proximity to school comes before the sibling rule if they are, say, entering Year 1.

Seeker, you took the words from my fingers

It is traumatic for a child to have to leave a school they love, and state schools are allowed to consider special circumstances.

Why would anyone question that?

This happened to our boys when we were trying to get them into a state primary. Basically there was the possibility that two children were leaving and because our youngest had a place the eldest would go to top of the list. Sounds dodgy but isn't.

The school that my friends kids go to always seems to have spaces for children coming from private schools, and they have taken on a load recently since the credit crunch...makes you wonder if they somehow get to the top of the list because the head wants that 'type' of family!

By the way, where are you based mummyloveslucy? Your post sounds very familiar to my friend's experience.

Tbh I thought state school admission (non religious!) was in the hands of the local ed authority, not the school? Maybe this school is- what, VA? or one of those designations which allow them leeway over their intake?