Returning to the UK for secondary school but not resident in the UK - how will it work, does anyone know?

[onwardsandacross]

Hello

We're in the US at present. We're returning earlier than anticipated, in time for DD1 to begin secondary school in the UK.

When we are in the UK (we return for the long summer holidays and for christmas), we live with my parents, and when we return to the UK we will be living with them initially too. We know the area well.

Is it possible for us to apply for secondary schools using my parents' address? DD will be in the UK when applications go in, and for two months before school starts, but won't have a UK primary school reference or have been there in the intervening months.

Or will we have to take our chances with what's left?

They may require id showing residence ie. child benefit letter, council tax bill. Speak to the LA for advice but I think you may have to wait until you arrive to live permanently and put in a late application.

Get grandparents to put in the application maybe? It gets you around proof of address etc.

My parents would be delighted to do that (put in the application), but I don't want to lie - DD will tell people she was at school in the US previously for a start.

If she is at that address when the applications go in, is that ok or still 'dodgy' do you suppose?

If she has moved and is actually and demonstrably living with her GPs, then that would be fine. They will need to find her a school for the nearly 2 terms between close of applications and transfer to secondary.

Be aware that use of GPs address is a popular way for people to attempt to "cheat" the system, so it is pretty likely the arrangement will be checked. But as long as she is really living there should be no problem.

Will she be OK living with them? Applications deadlines close in January, so there's not long to prepare her for the disruption. Has she already made her farewells in US?

She would n't be deemed resident though. Most LA's will have a policy on this whether you are moving from abroad or within UK. You can still apply but send a letter explaining the circumstances. Worst case scenario you go to the bottom of admissions priorities. If you don't they could withdraw the place later.

For secondary application deadlines closed at the end of October. Applications for Primary/Infants are at the end of January.

Sorry but BTW you can't go to the bottom of the admission priorities. You are treated as a late applicant, but then once the offer letters go out, you "jump up" to your rightful place on the waiting list, based on the school's admission criteria. That is what the admissions code says.

I know someone who did this. They used their sisters address as when they were coming back to the uk they would initially be living with the sister. When the application form was sent in they were still overseas but used the sisters address. They were honest about the situation on the application form and got a place.

I should've been clearer, sorry, we are looking at 2013 (she would start secondary school in Sept 2013).

I don't think we could get her back continuously between the time of the application (october?), and the following summer obviously. But she would ironically be living there for the time of the application and for 16 weeks (not continuous), between those two dates.

I am on the electoral roll at my parents' house if that would make a difference - it would be a shame to just turn up in June and take our chances if we could've done something sooner.

Electoral roll is probably no sufficient. You have to show that your DD is resident, and that means living there at the time applications must be in (mid-January), and most/many LAs require notification if the child ceases to live there up to the day of admission (ie first day of the autumn term).

You will need to find out what the relevant LA's current practice is. Relatives' addresses are often abused in admissions, so you need to make sure you know and understand the rules and how they apply, and are totally open with LA throughout. You might strike lucky, and find that yours will accept you connexion to that address as strong enough for this purpose, but do not be surprised if they don't.

Phone LEA and ask for over view.

Moving back will be stressful enough.

You can always move back and rent in your chosen area.