If your child doesn't get into any primary, what happens?

[Saltedcaramel2014]

I moved with DH and DS (1) to a new area this year. DS is still young but we love the location and it feels like a long-term home already - loads of families etc. Only thing is lots of neighbours mentioning how their kids didn't get into any schools (primary) and that it's a something of a black hole in terms of catchment areas. What does it actually mean to 'not get in anywhere'? Where do the kids end up? Sorry if I'm being dense! Didn't want to ask them directly. Also, is there anything I can do, write to mp etc? Thanks

We're in North London, by the way

The local authority has to find you a place.

Whereabouts are you? London?

Quick example: I'm in Haringey. In Muswell Hill/ Highgate area. there are some catchment area black holes. You might apply to the 5 or 6 possible schools nearest to you but all of them will fill up with children living nearer (less than 0.5 miles and nearer). So Haringey offers you a place over in the East of the borough - 30 minute drive away and not in your list of preferences. At all.

Writing to mps doesn't do much I'm afraid. People rent to be near enough to a decent school or go private most commonly.

The other alternative is getting on waiting lists and if close enough to the top H.ed until a place becomes available.
I hear this is the preference for those who don't like the school offered to them.

Why don't you call your local authority and ask if there are any plans to set up priority zones. Which I think means (and might be wrong) if certain streets where they are in a black hole, would be given a priority to a particular local school.

Also in London and know they have done this in parts of the borough.

Thanks for the replies. I'm guessing h.ed is home educate? Can't see that happening! I'm also in haringey. Will call and ask about priority zones. Just seems crazy. We are ten minutes' walking distance from four schools but one catchment is just 0.2 miles. I really disagree with the renting thing (as in temporarily renting out your home and renting to be in catchment) and v much hope I'll say the same thing in three years.

No priority zones currently or plans to have them. No harm in asking.
First step is to call Haringey primary admissions with your postcode and get your exact distance from your home to the school on their system. You can approximate with google maps etc but they use crow flies to the school office and 100m will count as you can see. Then work out whether you'd have been in catchment any time recently.

I forgot to mention churches. 2 popular schools are church schools and plenty of people attend church regularly to jump to the top of the list :(

Yes, going to church would be your other option.

The LA has to offer a school place and has to provide transport if not within 2 miles, but the transport bit only applies to kids of statutory school age (eg term after they turn five) so mightn't apply at the start of reception. And free transport might mean a bus pass....

Thanks all for clarififying - and to tiggy and tamba especially- yes I was thinking about putting pressure on early to see what the plans are. Will call the primary admissions office to see how things are looking at the moment. We are both atheists and I wouldn't want DS going to a CofE school (or any faith school), that's the thing we feel most strongly about - realise it narrows our options, though .

I felt the same about C of E schools but actually, DD's community school is probably equally religious as the VA and VC schools locally. They are always at church for various celebrations even though there is no official link

My DD's community school is also pretty religious. The local vicar comes in sometimes to do assembly and they have close links to the church. DH and I are also atheists but my DD says she believes in God and that Jesus is the son of God. Oh well...

Yes. State community schools are still expected to have acts of worship 'Christian in nature' unless they are free schools or academies. My children go to a community school. I used to teach in CofE schools. I honestly see little difference. The main difference I could see was church involvement in the governing body.

www.secularism.org.uk/collective-worship.html

Unless you discover religion, basically you've got a few years to identify the school you want and move to on their doorstep. Your area is particularly bad for this. nlondondad on this forum is an expert on the particular area, he is a governer at a local school and knows a lot about local free schools too (which he is very anti) - you could PM him.

Very helpful - thank you. That's interesting about community schools

I have heard of other black spots in other Boroughs, so it is not just Haringey. I know someone allocated a place 6 miles away from her home (in a minority faith school).

Look into it now, try and get answers, you never know, they might put a bulge year in. A couple of years ago in LBWF we had about 10 extra reception classes spread over the Borough as they were expecting a bulge year, that is 300 extra places.

Interesting. Thanks sixgeese