Should I accept this school place for my daughter?

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Hello all,

I'm just hoping for a quick bit of advice on primary school places. My DD is due to go into Year 2 this September at a new school (just moved house).

She has been offered a place at a school so far away there is no physical way for us to get her to school on time (as her siblings' school is in the opposite direction).

I appreciate there are lots and lots of families in this situation, but my question is, should we accept the place knowing we will not be taking her there in September? Or should we decline in the knowledge our LA have no further responsibility to offer us a place elsewhere?

I know we shouldn't accept knowing there are others out there still waiting - but on the other hand I know there are several places in Y2 at this particular school. Will we be in a stronger position with our LA if we do accept the place for now??

tbh don't think it will make much difference but if you have no intention of using it why accept. Are you on the waiting list for other schools ?

He old are the siblings (primary or senior). If the siblings are primary aged too then you need to try and get them all into one school for logistical necessity. If the older children are at senior school then they should be able to get themselves to school and you should accept the place offered for your dd.

Sibling is younger, going into Reception. DD will get sibling priority once sibling physically starts at school but it's unlikely a Y2 place will become available for at least a couple of terms. Hugely oversubscribed school.

So both children are of an age where they need to be handed over to a teacher.

I wonder if it goes in our favour to accept what's available in the interim?

My Plan B is to home school until we get a place at a nearer school.

I don't think we have much chance at Appeal because Y2 is still based on infant class size.

Logistics won't win an appeal, especially for ICS. Are there any reception places at school 2 ? Could you find a cm to take one of your dc to school or if more than 3m LA could provide a taxi for dd.

Even with sibling priority there is no guarantee of getting a place within the year. You might get a place at the start of year 3 due to the legislation on class sizes becoming redundant at that stage.
Can you home school whilst you are on the waiting list?
Does the school have breakfast and after school clubs to make two different school runs logistically feasible?