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Original poster

In Year Admissions in Bromley

45 replies

YogaPants2441 · 01/06/2015 11:28

We have finally had our exchange of contracts and now can make steps in order to move our DC in a Bromley school. Do you have experience how long does it take for the Admission team to process the application and whether we need a signature from our current school's Headteacher (different borough) or not? Much appreciated as it takes ages to get in touch on the phone.

OP posts:

Original poster

YogaPants2441 · 07/09/2015 13:53

The school does not give any details about waiting lists etc. School admissions team too busy to pick up the phone, we ring every day and wait for 1 1/2 hours and no response.

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Patry · 09/09/2015 06:15

Yes, I tried to ring yesterday! It's amazing there is not even an e-mail address. I just need to know the actual distance from my home to various schools before I waste my time visiting many.

I'm pleased to hear your kids are happy with the tutor and hope you hear from the schools/ admissions team soon.

Original poster

YogaPants2441 · 09/09/2015 08:22

Thank you for the encouraging words, Patry. Here is the email address:
[email protected]

You will probably get an 'out of office' message saying that they may respond withing 10 days.

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PettsWoodMum · 09/09/2015 08:29

I have always had courteous and prompt responses from the Bromley Admissions team. They are only there after 2pm so if you try calling in the morning you won't get an answer. They also have a dedicated email address - but you tend to get an auto reply back explaining that they don't answer certain questions by email but these are usually ones you can find in the admissions booklet etc. Email is [email protected] but as for individual schools I can't help you there. Some only went back on Monday so if you were trying before that may have explained a lack of response.

Original poster

YogaPants2441 · 09/09/2015 16:46

I know they are open only 2-5 pm and this is when we are ringing them. And waiting at least 1 1/2 hours. Finally got in touch yesterday and no firm answer again. Still requesting additional info but we have to ring them, they never do. If we dont call, we will never find out that they need further documents.
I;m not impressed at all, it is a joke.

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Patry · 09/09/2015 19:50

Thank you for the e-mail address. I sent them an e-mail today. At least my query is not urgent as it's about distances to school that I might be applying to this year.

Petts Wood Mum, when was the last time you spoke to them? I remember speaking to them when I moved here and then another friend of mine did also when she moved. They were excellent. Since then, our 'excellent' councillors have just cut the service over and over, tried to outsource part of it which never worked, then sliced it even further... I simply don't think they have enough capacity to deal with the issues. I don't blame them. It's the council's fault who don't ever do anything to bring any income out of what should be the most vibrant town in SE London. They just cut more and more services until the only thing we pay for will be the councillor's salaries and expenses.

PettsWoodMum · 09/09/2015 21:22

Hi Patry I last spoke to the admissions team about 3 weeks ago. As we are potentially moving from independent to state we have to provide extra information so it is a little more complex and virtually nothing available online or on the brochures hence needing to speak to them on a few occasions over the last few months.

Patry · 10/09/2015 08:42

That's good that you got a good service from them.
As I said, whenever I have spoken to them in the past they have been very helpful.
But this time around, I wasn't able to get through to them. I do not blame them; I think this is all down to the cuts and that they are under pressure with more demand and less resources whilst the council does nearly nothing to raise money.
Good luck with your process too Petts Wood Mum.

wishtobuyadog · 16/09/2015 12:15

Hello VanillaLatte13.

I'm in the same situation. I've been calling Admission team but I can't get through so I'm reading this site to get some info.

We are planning to move to Bromley borough next month and I'd like to find a school for my DCs.
I called one of the nearest Primary School and the lady told me that there wasn't any place available in all year group but she offered me to come over their open morning so I booked it.

I'll apply In-Year Admission next month, it would be great if we could find a place for my DCs but if not I might commute to our current school, which will be 10 miles away from the property we are moving to and it might take one hour drive in the morning rush hour.

I'm not a confident driver so I'm worried that I might cause a car accident or something.
Especially now is getting dark and wet.

Also there is no guarantee that my two DCs get offered in same school so I have no idea what to do or what should do.

But I don't think I will regret of this relocation.

PettsWoodMum · 16/09/2015 15:40

Bromley is a lovely Borough to live in. Our neighbours moved in about 18 months ago. They have three children. At the time two were at schools about seven miles away and impossible in London traffic and too young to travel independently. Youngest was applying for a YR place in the normal application procedure. The mum had the difficult situation of the eldest two going to a new, but not preferred, school short drive away rather than the school three minutes walk from the house they just bought. This ended up for two terms and finally got a place at the local primary. The main reason being proximity and large size of the school. If you don't live close it is not a case of just staying on the waiting list and awaiting your turn, others can move to the area and be closer and so jump ahead in the queue. It seems unfair but is how the system works. Good luck with the move.

Patry · 16/09/2015 16:17

Good luck with the move.
I still have not been able to speak to the admissions team and have not have an answer to my e-mail.
I'm told they are terribly busy. I understand it and hope to hear soon. Will let you know.
I know we all want the best for our kids but I also hear very few schools in the borough are terrible so hopefully you will be happy with your new school.

wishtobuyadog · 17/09/2015 11:51

Thank you very much for your comment, PettsWoodMum and Patry.
I only know a very old couple in the Bromley but I guess they don't know much about schools so this site helps me a lot!

Our new property will be in between two schools.
One is about 0.3m and the other one is about 0.5m.
I contacted these two schools and booked a place for open morning.
Then at least we can get some idea of the schools and put on the application form.
I understand this doesn't mean my DCs can get a place but at least we know which school we can put them in the waiting list.

Original poster

YogaPants2441 · 21/09/2015 13:51

DC started in Scotts Park today, I am relieved.

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PettsWoodMum · 21/09/2015 14:16

So pleased for you Vanilla!

Patry · 22/09/2015 07:29

Really pleased for you too.
I hope you all have a fantastic experience in your new school

wishtobuyadog · 22/09/2015 09:49

I'm very pleased for you VanilaLatte13.

Just a quick question.
One of my friend told me that once we exchange, we can apply a school place. Is that true?

I told her that Bromley council says clearly on their website that we must be a resident when we apply the In-Year Admission form.
We need to submit a council tax statement and a Recent utility bill.

She said that if we moved from, lets say 100 miles away, it would be impossible to commute to our previous school.
If we can't apply a school place until you get those documents ready, submit to Council, waiting and finally place is offered, our children wouldn't be able to go any school.

Our exchange date is tomorrow and we were told that completion date would be two week later.

I can't get through council admissions, emailed them but no reply.
I would appreciate if anyone knows anything about timing to apply In-Year admission.

PettsWoodMum · 22/09/2015 22:07

When my neighbours moved in a couple of years ago they had to wait until completion. As Bromley wouldn't take a solicitors letter of exchange as firm enough. I think once they'd completed and registered for council tax they could then engage about school places. They didn't get the school three minutes walk away, but one they had to drive to - they stayed on the waiting list for the nearby school and after two terms moved to the closest school. I think from moving in to getting a school place (albeit not at the closest school) was two weeks. Each borough or council is slightly different and sometimes rules change too so what happened to my neighbour two years ago may have changed.

Original poster

YogaPants2441 · 24/09/2015 16:08

Wishtobuyadog, thank you for the kind words. Please see the documents listed on the 'In-Year-Application Form' from Bromley LA website. You should have completion/contract exchange and paper/email record of it, they will ask for it. Just a friendly advice, prepare all documents listed in the form when you apply for a school otherwise they will not process it and by the time you get in touch they will tell you that they are waiting for more documents. Contact the HM Revenue and Customs and apply for child benefit letter that you have changed address. To be done via the website online, you wont get through to speak to a live person and the wait is 2-3 weeks to receive the letter at your new address. You also need ending bills for all your utilities at the old address as electricity, council tax, water etc. Information that you no longer own your old property or end of tenancy agreement. If you are letting the property - new tenancy agreement with the new people renting it.
Any questions - you can PM me, I will be happy to help.

PettsWoodMum is also right in what she is saying about the council tax bill registration. Also you will need your new utilities bills set up as well.

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wishtobuyadog · 25/09/2015 12:05

Thank you so much for your info, PettsWoodMum and VanillaLatte13.

My DH requested Child Benefit Letter but it will show our current address.
OK. Once we moved to Bromley borough, we will request again with a new address on.

In-Year Admission form doesn't mention Utility Bill from previous property but I guess it will be better to submit more documents to support admission.

We were supposed to exchange a few days ago but there was some issue and we couldn't. We are still waiting for the news from Solicitor...

Again thank you so much for your info and support!
I may PM you VanillaLatte13.

Original poster

YogaPants2441 · 25/09/2015 12:43

Getting your deal completed and exchange of contracts is extremely stressful. We were on a chain and there was always something wrong with someone on the chain. We were meant to have EC in Jan and got it in end of May :-( We were planning to finish refurb and move by May, but we started it in June and moved in August almost on a construction site. Luckily managed to get the postcode now so can submit a secondary school application by the end of Oct.

Good luck!

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