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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

on the edge of catchment for our nearest primary - what happens if DS doesn't get in?

20 replies

haggard1 · 30/09/2014 21:44

We're looking at primarys for DS to start reception. We are on the edge of catchment for our nearest school at 0.6k (which happens to be outstanding and heavily subscribed). last year catchment went down to 0.3k.

what happens if we don't fall in to catchment? We aren't in catchment for any other schools in our borough and our next nine nearest are all over subscribed too? does this mean we could end up being offered a place in a school over 5k away?

i already struggle with getting DS and DD (11mnths) in to nursery and commuting to work on time.

I feel completely at sea with the application process - any advice you can give me is gratefully received

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hollie84 · 30/09/2014 21:47

Are there any nearby schools that weren't oversubscribed or that you are near enough to?

I think if the nearest school the council can offer you is over 2 miles away then your DS will get school transport.

I would apply for the schools you want, but include a school that you would definitely get a place in as your last choice.

Pico2 · 30/09/2014 21:53

Do you know anyone locally with a child in the year above - you might be able to see where their children went. Or perhaps your nursery manager might have some information if your nursery is close to home.

2minsofyourtime · 30/09/2014 21:55

You can ring the admission people for advice, they were helpful with a friend of mine

erin99 · 30/09/2014 22:01

I found our LEA admissions office really helpful and on the ball. Plus they can give you advice that is specific to your area, which we can't. Different areas have different rules.

The distances can vary wildly from one year to the next. Don't panic, but get all the data from the LEA and take their advice.

Doodledot · 30/09/2014 22:16

Does your LA actually have catchments? Is it a faith school close by? You need to read the info you have been sent / is on line very carefully to get your head round where you may realistically get a place etc. Ours is distance for non sibling / sen etc and thus changes every year. Where are you ?

Original poster

haggard1 · 30/09/2014 22:47

We're based in Croydon, criteria for most of the schools is care, special needs, siblings then distance. All schools but one seem to be over subscribed and there's an expected shortfall in places this year, so it's not even clear if there is a school he'd be guaranteed to get. According to the distance over the past three years we have a slim chance of getting in, but the options seem limited if he doesn't.

I'll definitely speak to the LEA and we're hoping to visit our local school in November. We rent so could move, however, we're in a nice neighbourhood and have lovely neighbours we can count on in emergencies so we'd rather not - although we know a lot of parents do for that school.

It's not a faith school, just an normal local authority school.

it's interesting about free transport - I'll have to look in to it, is it safe?

OP posts:

Doodledot · 30/09/2014 23:09

Do you know anyone on yours or surrounding roads with reception DC? Where did they get allocated if your nearest is 0.6 and it's distance was 0.3?

Original poster

haggard1 · 30/09/2014 23:27

no unfortunately they're all older Y5 and above. The people in our house before us moved (3 years ago) opposite the school to get their DC in to Year 2 (in-year admission).

OP posts:

prh47bridge · 01/10/2014 00:50

As the catchment went down dramatically last year it sounds like the schools don't have formal catchments but use distance as the tie breaker.

If you don't get a place at any of your preferred schools you will be offered a place at the nearest school with places available. If that school is over 2 miles from home by the shortest safe walking route your child will be entitled to free transport to and from school. Note that the free transport is only for your child - the LA is under no obligation to provide transport for you to accompany your child.

The LA has to come up with a place for your child somewhere.

tiggytape · 01/10/2014 08:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mum9876 · 01/10/2014 15:02

Our area arranged an extra class at two of the local schools. If there are enough of you without a place, they might do that.

noramum · 01/10/2014 16:18

Ask the school for the reason for the fall in distance.

DD's school has 60 places and 45 were taken by siblings, so the distance fell a lot but you need to know why. Also two years early distance went up due to a bulge class which can't be repeated.

Croydon, like London boroughs as well, have huge problems. The LEA may have contingency plans in place already.

jeee · 01/10/2014 18:49

If you're renting at the moment, I think that, realistically, you need to move. Once you miss a school place first time round you enter a twilight zone of waiting lists.

Bradley77 · 01/10/2014 20:02

Put down your local school as first choice & all others as others. Try & use all 6 choices otherwise u could be given what ever crap is left. I don't think councils like giving transport unless special needs so u may have fight on your hands.

Doodledot · 01/10/2014 21:07

If the distance for the last 3 years is less than you are then it's unlikely that you will get a place unless the PAN. I googled our LA ages ago and found the details of which schools were going to expand etc - ask the admissions office and do some digging. If a school had a bulge class 2 years ago that will reduce your chance too as there will be extra siblings

Original poster

haggard1 · 01/10/2014 21:31

thank you so much everyone. I'm still feeling anxious about the whole thing but a bit more prepared!

I called the LA today, they pretty much said to keep our fingers-crossed

We're still researching schools to see if we can identify one that we might get in to and include in our six choices.

We have a meeting with the local school in November and thanks to you all have lots of pertinent questions to ask.

Subject to how what information we can get we may then look to move as a last resort. It will mean the kids will have to share a room and the upheaval of the move itself, and I know I'll feel like we're paying a ransome just to get in to a school, but I guess it could be the only way and must remember to consider ourselves lucky that we have that option (as long as there are available properties!)

anyway, thank you all for your time and sage advice.

OP posts:

RueDeWakening · 01/10/2014 22:24

You're unlikely to get any transport provided, as you're within London so kids travel free on buses/trams/tube. The LEA doesn't have to provide anything for an accompanying adult (that's your problem).

Page 4 of this document talks about some new free schools/school expansions for next September, if there are any near you it'd be worth considering those too.

Good luck!

Doodledot · 01/10/2014 22:44

Sorry I mis posted on phone. Check which PANs are due to increase

Doodledot · 01/10/2014 22:47

Ruede exactly what I found for our LA - nice research

FishWithABicycle · 01/10/2014 22:55

I would move in that situation, and the sooner the better.

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