If you moved schools mid year due to a house move, how long to get the new place sorted out?

[strawberrycornetto]

We are due to be moving on 28 May and my DD is due to be starting her new school on the Monday after half term.

We have spoken directly to the new school and know there is a place. But we cannot formally apply until we exchange. This should have happened last week but at the last minute the people we are buying from have started delaying and have said they won't be ready until Wednesday.

The LEA booklet says it takes 15 school days to process the application and when I spoke to them previously they said that if we didn't submit it in time, DD might have a gap between schools. They won't process until we can prove we have exchanged and if we don't apply tomorrow, we are outside of the 15 school days.

Has anyone had a transfer approved quicker than this? Moving DD has always been my biggest stress of the move and I am so upset about that she is being messed around.

I think it is time to remind the LA of their responsibilities. You are entitled to apply now using your current address. As there is a place available they have to give it to you. The fact that you don't have an address in their area is irrelevant. It only becomes relevant if there are other applicants. In that case the LA is entitled to ask for proof of address to ensure the admission criteria are met.