Can someone clarify this school admission query for me?

[timyam]

Once upon a time, before I had my daughter, I was blissfully unaware about the anxiety applying for a Primary School would bring... and here I am at 22.30 on a Saturday night worrying about it.

My question is I live in an area with two primary schools very close together. One is really good and one isn't so good.

When I type in my postcode the school that is classed as my 'nearest school' is the better one and I have put this as my first choice. Because the school is my nearest school will I always get preference over someone who might live closer to the school in distance, but it isn't their 'nearest' school (if that makes sense).

You need to check each school's admission criteria (these will be on their website) to see where your child would be, and where distance (or being officially "nearest school") comes into play.

There are some areas which use nearest school as a tie breaker, but uncommon. It is normally distance. Check each school's admissions criteria.

Thank you for replying. I had a look at their admission policies. Under distance it says the following (obviously abridged for the post)

1. Those living in the town of xxxxx

4a those living in the town of xxxx who have siblings 4b those living in the town of xxx whom the school is their 'nearest' school 4d those living in the town of xxxxx whom the school is their nearest based on distance

So I assume judging by this, if my school is the nearest according to the council website it will come before those who might live closer to another school, but their official nearest school is different.

Seriously, whoever writes these admission policies loves the use of unnecessary flowery language.

Are you talking about three different towns or have you just put different numbers of xxxx? If so, which one do you live in? (Perhaps call them A B C as clearer!) And how do they define or allocate "nearest school" if not by distance?

You need to check the admission criteria for your area. In our area it’s based on catchment areas first, so it’s possible to be closer to school A but in catchment for school B. It makes a massive difference to house prices in our area with the same house a few streets over costing signifigantly more.

Distance is later criteria. What is the criteria in order? LAC, adopted children, children from military backgrounds usually come first. Is the next bit catchment or distance?

Many but not all areas have low birth rates. If it’s a low birth rate area and there have been no reduction in PAN numbers of individual schools or school closures then there will be an increase chance of getting into school a distance away from you.

Just because this school is your nearest school doesn't mean your child gets preference over families where they have a closer school available. You're only in one category, the highest you can be, so if it goes eg 1 looked after children/ adopted 2 Sen 3 siblings 4 distance, then if you're in the same category as another family (likely 4 distance), you'll be ordered in distance from the school as the crow flies. Other differences wouldn't be counted. Look up the distance that the last kid got in last year and compare to your distance, and that'll give you the best indicator of your chances this year.

The OP says there is a 'nearest school' criteria. Thus is to stop issues where people live in black holes.

What is 4c?

@MrsJamin This is not correct in some areas. I live in Herts and they have the concept of nearest school.

So, if you have two schools close by - say 500m and 501m away - your nearest school and the one you get priority admission for is the one 500m away.

Someone else lives 900m away from the school 501m away from you but their next close school is 1.2km away. Whilst they live further away from the second school it is their nearest school so they DO get priority over you, even if you live closer.

Admissions rules are different in each area and for each school. If the concept of nearest school is in the admissions criteria for the school then yes the OP would get priority over someone who lives closer.

Oh I haven't heard of that policy, I stand corrected.

I'd just point out in a primary near us a few years ago people in the same street as the primary school didn't get their chosen school as 28/30 kids got in via sibling rule. It can really swing and nothing is guaranteed.

@RatherBeOnVacation I am in Herts.

So any help clarifying would be helpful.

For example my nearest school (according to council website) is school a. I live 500 metres away from it.

My friend lives 400m away from school a. But her nearest school is school b (because she is 300 metres from that school)!

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, would I be further up the queue than my friend who also wants school a, because school a is my nearest school but it is not hers.

I realise it sounds so complicated when written down.

@timyam Yes you would be.

Admissions will put you I'm a tranch of your highest admission criteria. So:

4a those living in the town of xxx who have siblings - you won't sit in 4a

4b those living in the town of xxx whom the school is their 'nearest' school - you will sit in 4b. Your friend will not.

4c those living in the town of xxx whom the school is their nearest based on distance - your friend will sit in 4c

All of 4a will be allocated places first. Then places will move to those in 4b. Those in 4c will not be allocated a place until all of 4b have been given a place.

@LittleHangleton thanks! I realise I left off 4c! I hadn't had caffeine but even with caffeine the whole thing perplexes me!