Question about house move and catchment areas

[Molotov]

Our dd1 is in YR of a lovely primary school. We live within the school's catchment area.

However, we are in a tiny 2 bed house and also have 2yo dd2, due to start nursery at the school in Sept 2015.

I am thinking of a move (to a bigger house) to a neighbouring area where we could get more for our money. That area is out of catchment for our current school, but in catchment for tje secondary school I'd like out children to eventually go to.

So, if we moved to the other area, would dd1 have to move primary school? Any idea of the probable liklihood of dd2 being able to go to dd1's school?

Hello
I'm sure some of the admissions experts will be along shortly, but my understanding is that they can't take a place away from your DD1. In most schools your DD2 would still be entitled to a sibling place as generally siblings trump catchment, but in some schools the admissions policy has changed to prevent people moving further away as soon as they have got their first child into the school (and thus preventing other people who live nearer from getting a place). You will need to look at the specific admissions criteria for your school and bear in mind it could change before your DD2 comes to apply.

Fairgroundsnack is correct. They cannot remove your daughter's place simply because you have moved.

It is harder to be sure about the effect on your younger daughter. It depends on what the admission criteria for the school will be like when you apply, not what they say at the moment. Some schools give children living in catchment priority over out of catchment siblings. If your school goes down that path it is unlikely your younger daughter will get a place. However, if they prioritise siblings ahead of catchment she probably will get a place.

Thank-you both for replying. That's reassuring for dd1, and I will look at, and keep my eyes on the school's admission criteria. I just couldn't send my girls to separate schools.

My goal would be to move to a bigger house in this area, then review and maybe to the secondary catchment area in 5-6y time. It's just that houses in our price range are few. We are thinking of trying for a dc3 - so we would have to move if I got pg - as I couldn't squeeze a growing family into this house (two growing girls, or 3 children).

I guess another option would be to waiy until dd2 starts at the school, but that won't be until Sept 2016 as a nursery place doesn't necessitate a reception place.

Anyway, thanks again

I just had a look on the school's website and first priority is a child with special needs, then catchment area children, then thosr with a sibling already at school.