Moving to new area, securing a new school place

[Tully74]

Hello all,
My husband was made redundant in the summer and has just secured a new job in the north east which means leaving our home of ten years in the West Midlands.

In our preferred area the schools are all full! There was an unexpected population spike...

Does anyone have any advice about how to successully apply for a school place in such circumstances???

THANK YOU

I don't know what the official line is, but I think most schools ask that you have proof of accommodation before they will offer you a school place (especially if they are oversubscribed). I would find an area where you want to live and then sort out a potential house. Then approach schools with your potential new address. That should show that you're serious, and may make them more likely to offer a place. HTH.

You can always apply to your preferred schools anyway and when you get the letters telling you they are full you can then appeal to each and every school.

Also please note as this is very important. A lot of LEA's tell you that you have to live in the area first before they can consider your child for a place but if the school does have a school place, they have to offer it to you regardless of whether you live in the area or not.