Specific Issue Order for relocation

[RockPaperCut]

Has anyone been through the same? Final hearing coming up in January and I’m monumentaly stressed! I need to show that our daughters will have school places at the new location. Eldest is currently at pre-prep youngest due to start school in September 2018. The move is just under 60 miles from here. I’m not sure how I’m meant to secure state school places from afar.

Is it likely that the courts would refuse a move based solely on the fact that I have not secured a school place for either child? I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place!

You can apply for a place at any school at any time. If there is a school that has a place available it must be offered to you if you apply despite the fact you live 60 miles away. Depending on the LA you may need to apply direct to a school with places or you may need to apply through your current LA.

The primary consideration of the courts will be your children's best interests. If it appears that the move has not been properly thought through and is a way of making contact difficult the application may be refused. However, if you have good reasons for making the move and can show that you are making appropriate arrangements you should be fine.

Thanks prh47

The LA says I need a local address in order to make an application for a school place. But I cannot secure that until the court orders that a) the children live with me and b) that I can move. Otherwise I may end up in a position where I have secured a property there but I am refused permission for the move and I have to service two rents which I just cannot afford.

The other issue is my ex is against the move so will not agree on a school place there. So I cannot be seen to make an application for a school place without his consent.

Thank you that makes sense. The difficulty is that all the good schools are oversubscribed for yr1, I will have to consider other schools in nearby towns/villages. His argument is that neither of the state schools are adequate whilst he is also refusing to fund private if we move. I fear we will be back in court as he’ll then not agree on which schools to apply to.