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Original poster

Managed to move out of catchment area of most schools......

11 replies

anthonybourdainsfurrowedbrow · 10/07/2023 13:55

I live on a London borough boundary line. On one side of my house, I have a mile of parkland. The other side is then mainly business use/housing estates.

All the schools that I like the look of are of course, other side of the park and over the catchment area.

The schools in the other borough that are closer are in really deprived areas. I keep seeing an argument that those schools are better funded, but I am not sure thats the case locally (lots of requests for equipment donation) and not sure how it would compensate for more behavioral issues etc. They all have shit ofsted ratings.

DD does not have an EHCP in place yet but is heading towards one (on an IEP at nursery and the autism assessment pathway) but i am wondering if anyone could shed light on whether having one in place would mean a better chance at the school of choice?

We cant move, otherwise we would!

OP posts:
BoobsOnTheMoon · 10/07/2023 14:03

Having an EHCP means you will be able to request that any mainstream school you choose is named, and that school will then have to admit her unless they are able to evidence one of a few very specific reasons that they shouldn't. See here for those reasons

Has an EHCP been applied for? If not, I'd apply for one yourself immediately.

Choosing a school/college with an EHC plan

Parents or young people have a legal right to request that a particular school or college is named in an education, health and care (“EHC”) plan (or to express a preference for an independent school, college or other institution). If you ha...

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/choosing-a-schoolcollege-with-an-ehc-plan

elderflowerandpomelo · 10/07/2023 14:04

London schools don’t have catchment areas!

in most boroughs the birthdate is falling so places are opening up across the board.

where are you? You may get an excellent place a bit further afield where numbers have fallen

frootie · 10/07/2023 14:07

@elderflowerandpomelo what do you mean? They do have catchment areas?

Also you're right that birthdate falling young families driven out by col so places are opening up.

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Original poster
anthonybourdainsfurrowedbrow · 10/07/2023 14:07

elderflowerandpomelo · 10/07/2023 14:04

London schools don’t have catchment areas!

in most boroughs the birthdate is falling so places are opening up across the board.

where are you? You may get an excellent place a bit further afield where numbers have fallen

My local borough advises:

'The majority of applications for primary school places are decided on home to school distance, except for faith schools. For many schools, you need to live very close to the school to qualify for an offer'

I cant find it right now but I saw a published table which indicated the distance you had to live for acceptance and they were all under a mile....

OP posts:
Original poster
anthonybourdainsfurrowedbrow · 10/07/2023 14:08

BoobsOnTheMoon · 10/07/2023 14:03

Having an EHCP means you will be able to request that any mainstream school you choose is named, and that school will then have to admit her unless they are able to evidence one of a few very specific reasons that they shouldn't. See here for those reasons

Has an EHCP been applied for? If not, I'd apply for one yourself immediately.

This is really helpful, thank you

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 10/07/2023 14:13

A "catchment area" is a fixed area from which children get priority.
"Distance from school" is a changing area depending on number of applicants each year.

So what OP means is shes outside the area from which she would have got a space the last few years... but she could be lucky if lower sibling numbers and less children in the area means less people apply.

ECHP applications are separate

Original poster
anthonybourdainsfurrowedbrow · 10/07/2023 14:14

PuttingDownRoots · 10/07/2023 14:13

A "catchment area" is a fixed area from which children get priority.
"Distance from school" is a changing area depending on number of applicants each year.

So what OP means is shes outside the area from which she would have got a space the last few years... but she could be lucky if lower sibling numbers and less children in the area means less people apply.

ECHP applications are separate

That makes much more sense - thank you.

OP posts:
elderflowerandpomelo · 10/07/2023 14:17

@frootie, they admit on distance but they don’t have catchment areas! This is why (in a high birth year) some people end up w no nearby school at all. Last admitted distances vary greatly year by year, and can also be very deceiving (waiting lists can move a lot, child who lives furthest on 1 sept is very different from last admitted child on offer day).

On the EHCP, I don’t think it’s correct that you have any choice. If the EHCP names the school, then the school must admit. And the LA can also direct schools to admit. But there needs to be some justification.

seriously tho, where are you? There are tens of primaries around me in N London that are amazing and now worryingly undersubscribed, and you could live in Birmingham and still get a place there…

Original poster
anthonybourdainsfurrowedbrow · 10/07/2023 14:19

elderflowerandpomelo · 10/07/2023 14:17

@frootie, they admit on distance but they don’t have catchment areas! This is why (in a high birth year) some people end up w no nearby school at all. Last admitted distances vary greatly year by year, and can also be very deceiving (waiting lists can move a lot, child who lives furthest on 1 sept is very different from last admitted child on offer day).

On the EHCP, I don’t think it’s correct that you have any choice. If the EHCP names the school, then the school must admit. And the LA can also direct schools to admit. But there needs to be some justification.

seriously tho, where are you? There are tens of primaries around me in N London that are amazing and now worryingly undersubscribed, and you could live in Birmingham and still get a place there…

I live in Abbey Wood, with a strong preference of the primary schools in the Bexley borough of which we live in.

OP posts:
Rollercoaster1920 · 10/07/2023 14:21

This site was great, sadly now is out of date (but might be useful to you):
https://apps.london.gov.uk/schools/

If you don't get into a preferred school don't panic - you can be on a waitlist and with people moving there are often places Especially at the move from infants to juniors when people go private.

London Schools Atlas

The London Schools Atlas is an innovative interactive online map providing a uniquely detailed and comprehensive picture of London schools, current patterns of attendance and potential future demand for school places.

https://apps.london.gov.uk/schools

Original poster
anthonybourdainsfurrowedbrow · 10/07/2023 14:23

Rollercoaster1920 · 10/07/2023 14:21

This site was great, sadly now is out of date (but might be useful to you):
https://apps.london.gov.uk/schools/

If you don't get into a preferred school don't panic - you can be on a waitlist and with people moving there are often places Especially at the move from infants to juniors when people go private.

Thank you!

OP posts:
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