Moving to a school in England - How?

[Ixia]

We're moving from the isle of Man to England (Lancs) in August, DD will be starting yr3 in Sept. How do I go about finding which schools have places and what are the catchment areas. Can I contact the schools directly? We will be in temporary rented for 6mths, just to complicate matters.

As I understand it you will need to apply and communicate throught the local authority - if it lancashire county council you need to contact them - to find out the proccess - doesn't seem to be on their website and what school have places - etc

www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/atoz/a_to_z/service.asp?u_id=413&tab=4

Hi Ixia:

Yes if you can contact the county or city council Local Education Authority once you know where you're going to be living they'll be able to help you find an available school place.

It may be that initially your DD will start in a school outside your catchment but discuss with them where the appropriate nearest school is and ask to be put on a wait list for the next available place in YR3.

I'd advise contacting them as soon as you know where you're living.

HTH

Oh, that sounds grim :( Where we are now, you have the right to a place in your catchment school and that's that, no complicated form filling.

I know of one tiny village school in the area that has places, but not sure about the friendship potential in small schools. I'm assuming if a school has places, then you don't actually have to be in catchment?

I also don't want to move DD twice, she's already v. upset and that's not going to help matters.

once you are in a school you wouldn't have to move her if you don't want too - you can't apply untill you have an address - tenancy agreement will do in most areas but check with the council - so get that sorted ASAP
if a school has places as far as I know you don't have to be near it - when I did it - different area - you put down your preffered school and they gave you the one that had places -
catchment areas don't really exist in england - its quite complicated - but you can apply to any - if there are places no problem - if there arn't it works on how near you live- but for you it would be better to find a school you like which has places