Applying for a school place in the UK while living abroad

[LucyHannah1983]

We will be living abroad from this September, but just for 1 year.
I want to know if it's possible to apply for a school place in the U.K for when we return, using our permanent home address (we will be renting it out).
Do you actually have to be living at the address? How will they know?

If anyone has any experience if this, let me know!
Thanks

On the basis that the child's principle address must be used (i.e. the one where they are residing the majority of the time - so for you in the year previous to the application that would be abroad), you will not be able to apply from abroad. Or to rephrase, you could apply from abroad, using your overseas address and that will be the criteria the council use to offer you a school. You would be at the bottom of the lists for proximity and other entrance criteria. However, if I were you, I would call up your council and ask them specifically. I imagine they will tell you to make a late application or in year application once you are back at your normal address.

How will they know?

If you are renting out the property your tenants will be paying council tax. That is how they know. They are very hot on checking and rechecking paperwork.

The electoral roll will tell them who is registered at the address.
I am in a similar position. I live about 100 miles away but own a flat 75m from the school I want my child to go to. It’s currently rented out but could be available when we apply. However the new school will obviously want records from the old school so they will know we don’t live at the flat. But I’m hoping as I can prove I have a (hopefully by then empty) flat nearby that I’ll live in that this will count. This isn’t strictly true as it’s too small but it may well be our home initially.

We started informal conversations with schools about spaces and dc entering school while overseas, you cannot formally apply until you are back in the U.K. House wise we were in the same situation as you.

What will you be doing abroad? If you (or partner) are working for the government/armed forces, it's different rules and you can apply from a future address.

Many moons ago we were allowed to apply on time from our uk address but it was empty at the time. Different LAs apply residency rules differently so you need to check.

I've had informal conversations with a LA as we'll be overseas when the application period is open.

I was told that we can apply from overseas in the usual way as UK residents. Applications will be stronger with a proof of address / residency, such as a rental agreement with start date or a mortgage and if we can get this before the late application cut off in Feb, this would hold some weight (altho not as much as existing residents, sibling application etc).

We then need to provide proof of arrival (boarding card or similar) to show when we landed in the country which will secure a place. We were also told to get a solicitors letter which states we are in the UK which the LA said they would take in lieu of a utility bill etc

I would call your LA and explain as they all seem to differ slightly

Could you keep proof of address on your rented home in uk? You could pay council tax yourselves?

You need to ring the LA for advice.
Funnily enough I am doing this now but my eldest is already in school abroad so that school needs to fill in the transfer form the UK school will require.
If it is a first application for a reception place or year 7 place I imagine the circumstances will be different and you may well have to actually be residing there already but only the LA will be able to tell you that.