Childs school

[Temporaryname158]

Ex husband has been with his girlfriend several years.

he’s always tried to get our kids activities located near her house (so he can stay more often with her) and if not at her they are always at his. My kids don’t like this but don’t have a choice.

my eldest is coming up to secondary school application stage. I keep having a recurring nightmare that their dad applies to schools near his girlfriends not near our houses (which are close together) so he can justify moving in.

can he do this? We have another child together who is in the same primary close to our current homes. Could he apply for a school further away? How can I guarentee he doesn’t?

if he did can I go to court and how would I then get my child a place at a local school

You and he need to agree which schools to list as preferences. If you can't agree, you will have to go to court to get a specific issue order. It also isn't clear which of you should be applying. If your children live with you most of the time, it should be you. If care is shared 50/50, you need to check what your LA says. They will have rules as to which address can be used in this situation.

Absent any orders, he could list schools near his girlfriend's home if he is the one applying. However, it would not be sensible for him to do so. He can't use his girlfriend's address for the application so is unlikely to get places at any school that isn't near his home. If he only names schools where there is no realistic chance of getting a place, it is likely your child will end up with a place at an unpopular school which could be some distance from home.