Appealing primary school offers - advice needed

[JoJo44]

I would like to know if anyone is able to clarify the issue of residency in relation to primary school admissions. For example, what specific information can a school request from all parents/carers, when making an application to a school?

I would also like to know what the distinction is with regard to who is considered a 'carer' and 'guardian' and how this impacts on an application made?

I would further like to know whether a local authority has any legal obligations to ensure that a child is in receipt of educational materials, if a child is not in any school? If yes, are there any codes of practice or statues which would be applicable.

Lastly, if anyone has any useful contacts for representatives that can attend school admission appeals?

JoJO,
The people that really need to answer most of these questions are the Local Authority that you are in as there is no standard answer it can vary slightly from LA to LA.

Normally the place of residency is the place that the child spends the majority of the week at, but some LAs talk about where the child spends the majority of the school week. If there is any concern by the LA as to whether this is actually the main place fo residency then they will normally take the address provided for claiming Child Tax Credits / Child Benefit.

Carer /guardian is really difficult and you need the advice of the LA on this.

In terms of representatives for attending appeals, there are people who advertise themselves as experts and charge a significant amount of money. Their real capabilities varies enormously and actually it depend on the strength of your case, not how good they are at arguing points of law, at an appeal. An alternative is possibly your local Parent Partnership, contactable through the LA. They have certainly helped some families at appeals that I have done.

Admission
Thank you for providing this information. I will get onto the LA and try to locate the Parent Partnership details.

Thank you