School changing rule on siblings

[Changebagsandgladrags]

OK background:

We couldn't get DS into the local school, eventually through waiting list he got into a school 2.5 miles away. He's currently in year 1. In his year all catchment kids got in, plus some out of catchment (think about 5 or 6). However, since then the school has been rated 1 by Ofsted.

Now catchment kids cannot get in. So the school is proposing to remove the sibling rule. Although this won't help much as practically all the siblings are in catchment.

But the whole reason DS didn't get into the original school was siblings. So he had to go there. Now DS2 won't get in. Nor will he get into the local one as they are not removing their sibling rule.

I have no idea what to do. Thinking of selling the god damn house and renting next to the school.

WWYD?

Are they consulting on their proposed changes ?

You need to reply to the consultation with your points above - and suggest they have 'sibling protection' for families already at the school

Changing the Admissions Policy will require consultation - min 8 weeks and completed by March 2012 and change can only apply for admissions aplications for Year R (or Y3 if separate junior school) for September 2013 entry (applications period October 2012 to Jan 2013 i think).

Suggest you respond to consultation objecting to the change as redhighheels suggests.

Not sure, it was mentioned at a meeting for next year's intake (for which the sibling rule still applies). I wasn't there, so got the info from another mum.

I suppose the school would argue if they protect it for current siblings then it doesn't solve the problem.

But yes, will be replying to any consultation, there are very few of us out of catchment with younger siblings (I only know of two others, both older than my second DC). In reception/next year's reception there will be no out of catchmenters and it's not the sort of place people move to just to get their kids in.

Aren't the admission rules decided by the LEA for the whole county, not just individual schools? So how come one school is considering ditching the sibling rule, but another nearby is keeping it?

I think they set their own criteria (foundation/academy)

I imagine that it is so that people don't get first child in and then move. Can you suggest an ammendment that siblings in the same house or a house nearer the school than the original application still get priority, but those who have moved further away lose their priority. If there are only three of you affected then you could argue that you feel you are being singled out.