In year admission query

[perrinelli]

We're moving house to a new area in August, we've exchanged contracts so I've done the school application. DD needs a year 1 place for September.

Our first choice school is full in that year but we are first on the waiting list. The school have said a family have said they're moving so a child will be leaving. Good news, I thought. But then they said they are at 61 (2 form entry) so that will just bring them down to 60 and they don't think I'll get offered a place.
Is there any chance I will be? Surely if they've been accommodating 31 in one class and someone happens to be leaving, we should be able to take their place? The form is still being processed so I haven't heard from the lea yet.

No. If a school has had to admit one extra, through appeal or other means, they will indeed have to get back to below 30 per class before they can offer from the waiting list. The LEA will find you a place though somewhere. Indeed if there are no places within a reasonable distance (an hour journey or less) they may even 'force' that school to take you. Have you looked at any other schools in the new area?

Hmm that doesn't sound good news. Frustrating it can't be one out one in.
There are no other schools in walking distance but there is a place at a good school in the next town 4 miles away. From contacting local schools that seems to be the nearest with a place. I've put that as our 3rd choice. Our second choice is our second nearest school. Also full but gas classes less than 30 so wondered if I should try to appeal. With that one we couldn't walk it but at least we'd meet people more from the area we're living in.
First choice school mentioned above is infants and juniors & everyone reapplies at yr 3 so wie will get in then but not ideal for dd to have a second move.

And be wary of someone else pipping you at the post. I knew that the school I was hoping DS1 would get into after we moved house had 2 spaces. Hurrah! Problem solved...or so I thought.

2 children in care applied one day and were accepted the next....and we were back to square one.

It was pretty traumatic at the time, but fortunately after 5 weeks of no school, another school announced that it did have space....and I later found out that they had had space for about 4 months. Not quite sure why we hadn't been informed of this before, but hey ho... I was utterly relieved.

Good luck. Be persistent. Write to every politician you can think of. Eventually someone will want you to stop hassling them