Appealing a primary school place after moving into the catchment area

[Housequandary]

Yes, that time of year, another school allocation post.

Our DD didn't get first (or second) choice primary school. We're disappointed and a little surprised as the school told us in January that based on numbers they'd just received, anyone applying would get a place - wasn't guaranteed but essentially they were undersubscribed enough that there would be spaces.

The complicating factor was that we were mid housemove, and I'm assuming spaces have been allocated based on their catchment area which we fell out of by a couple of km (and now very firmly fall into - we're 2 roads away!), but delays meant we didn't move until April.

DH wants to do everything we can to get a space, including an appeal with the council, but from what I've read at reception level the appeal is based solely on class space and would be appealing that the decision was made incorrectly, not because we were outside the catchment area at the time. Can anyone confirm if this is the case, or would it be worth an appeal to have them look again at our application now we have moved address? I don't want to waste anyone's time if it's all just on technical grounds - I know we didn't tick the top criteria at the time of application.

I would get your name on the waiting list. Now living so close,you should find yourself very high up the list. People do move or change their minds so it is possible a place could come up.

If you buy uniform for another school leave the tags on until the last minute and don’t name it until you actually start.
My friend was offered a place at her first choice the evening before term started so was able to return the other school’s uniform.

Did you apply on time from your old address, or do a late application once you moved?

You can only usually win if there is a mistake, but it is worth checking there hasnt been a mistake.

another vote for waiting list and cross your fingers

It doesn't sound as if an error has been made so I wouldn't appeal. Make sure the LA has your new address and make sure you're on the waiting list (and find out what position you are). Living so close, there's a good chance you're top of the waiting list.

It doesn’t sound like you have grounds for appeal - it was very unfortunate that your move got delayed, but that’s not the councils fault.

If it helps you feel less worried, we applied to a school 12 miles away from home (in the town my parents lived as they had kindly offered to collect from school if they went in that town, and our younger child was at nursery in that town). We didn’t get a place, but we’re 5th on the waiting list. Within 2/3 weeks we had an offer of a place at that school!

School lists fluctuate right up til they are due to start. There can be many reasons you can move up the list - other people move out if the area, people applied in more than one county and chose to accept a place in a different county, circumstances change and they decide to send to private school, a place comes up at their first choice school so they switch to that instead, decide to withdraw and home school, decide to defer entry for a year due to summer born baby (might not be the right terminology), illness or death (as horrible as that is to think about).

Basically don’t lose hope. As someone else said, make sure they have your new address and check where you are on the list. If quite low down, ask whether your house move has any effect on the place you are. Good luck!