Want siblings to go to son's school in Redhill but possibly moving to Dorking?

[fairyfairygirl]

My son is currently in Year 2 at a school in Redhill which we are really pleased with, my daughter will go into reception next September so we need to apply now. However, we may be possibly moving to Dorking and I wondered whether anybody knew if she would still get a sibling place at my sons school if we move to Dorking? Many thanks

You need to look at the school's entrance criteria.

Does it have a formal catchment (ie priority admissions area)? If so, then it is possible you would miss out (LAC, catchment siblings, other catchment children, other siblings, other children)

But perhaps not if none (so siblings, all others) unless it's a seriously bumper year for siblings and you're the furthest away.

Have you looked at schools in Dorking? If your DC are not making local friends at school, you might have an awful lot of ferrying to do - not just school run, but activities and friends.

If it's a normal local authority school then yep, as long as the class isn't full of LAC and local siblings. In Surrey there's no catchments and all siblings come before all non-siblings.

Some CofE or catholic schools may have different criteria e.g. linked to parish which might bump you down the list.

If it is the RC school you will still need to demonstrate church attendance and residence in a particular parish to meet the criteria under which all 60 places were allocated this year. There is no sibling criteria. If the C of E it would be touch and go and non denominational are mainly siblings then distance. Have a look at at :new.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/14821/2015-2016-PRIMARY-ISAT-R-and-B-V1.pdf
Personally I wouldn't commute that distance, traffic through Reigate can be dreadful. Year 3 would be a sensible time to move and you may need to reapply for some schools at that point anyway.

sorry ,
new.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/14821/2015-2016-PRIMARY-ISAT-R-and-B-V1.pdf

Thank you, yes agree about the commute but my son is so happy there, the thought of pulling him way from his friends is very upsetting... Am also looking into schools in Dorking but there are waiting lists for year 3 in the two closest schools, the closest of which is on the up but been through a transitional time.... Thanks for all your advice