Moving home after applying to primary school.

[QuestionsandAnswerspls]

First time parent here just looking at primary schools for my DD. Can anyone answer my query about how it works if potentially moving home? Basically, we would love her to attend a primary school which is currently very close to our home (about 200 meters). The reception admissions are managed by the local authority with the usual (I think) criteria of children in care, SEN, siblings at the school and distance to the school being the order. It is oversubscribed but given how close we live we hope she would get a place.

However, our home is currently bursting at the seams and we are hoping to move at some point. If we moved slightly further away in the year after we applied but before she started school, how would it work? Should we wait until she has started at the school before looking to move? Does anyone know about the timeframe regarding moving home and school applications? We are in London is that makes any difference.

We're in a similar situation but based further north. Basically what would happen in our locality is that if you move after doing applications and then wanted to change your mind, there's a day where you can request a change of school. I think it's May? If there's space it's quite easy. If not, or if you miss that deadline, it goes to an appeal in the June.

If you moved after the place was offered you might find the LA authority looking carefully at your application to make sure you weren’t pulling a fast one to get a place. They are unlikely to take the place away from you ( though that possibility does exist) if it is clear that your move is genuine, but I would be prepared for some awkward looks as other parents realise you are technically out of catchment, especially if they know people who missed out on a place. Might be politic to hold off on the move until your daughter has started in the school, once she has started the place is hers even if your move takes you out of the immediate catchment.

Or you could find the house you need in the catchment of another lovely school, which would be easier for the school run, for friendships outside school, and eventually for your daughter being independent enough to walk to school as a Y5 or 6.