Late primary application for start this year

[Sophieelmer]

Hi we applied on time for dd1 to start primary school this September. Got our 1st choice but have since moved across the city, same LEA and had to reapply as late. We still have a place at original 1st choice but it's 10 miles away so not feasible for the long term. We are struggling to get any info from the admissions team, we know they received the application last week and that they don't think it will be ptocessed for 2 weeks. Does that mean dd won't even get onto the list until then? Do they have guidelines re processing time or can they take as long as they like?

Starting to worry. I know it's not the end of the world, we have a place at a good school just don't want her to start and then move if we can help it.

Also should I be chasing, if so how often? Our new local school has a large waiting list 30+ but the vast majority are out of catchment. If that makes a difference

The regs say that an application should be processed and if there is an available school place offered to the applicant. If they cannot offer you a place at the school you want which seems likely then you should get a letter stating there are no places available at the school and that you have a right of appeal.
The timing of how long it takes to process etc is now somewhat of a grey area because there is nothing in the 2012 regs about this. Legal precedents are sometimes possible to be suggested from previous regs, in this case the 2010 regs. This says in paragraph 3.23 that applications made outside the normal admission round must be considered without delay and a formal decision to offer or refuse made. It also says in para 3.20 that as soon as school places become vacant they must be filled from the waiting list, even if it before admission appeals have been heard. Of course these two comments have no formal legal status but they might just be enough to make the LA move quicker.

Thankyou. They have confirmed they have received the application and have advised the application will be processed by the end of next week. I will ask for an update at the beginning of next week.