What can happen if the second child gets into our preferred school?

[Fiona2011231]

Could you pls help explain this scenario?

Our first son missed our first choice in the Reception and is still on the waiting list of another school.

However, from next year, our preferred school will expand. Instead of one class at Reception, there will be two classes. So it is very likely that our second child will be accepted into the preferred school.

If this happens, is there any way so that our first son can join his younger brother in that school?

My sincere thanks,

as tiggy says, you will go up the waiting list. But you won't get in unless a place becomes free.

You might go up the waiting list but you need to look at the admission criteria as some schools are now specifying that the sibling link priority if so younger siblings can join older but not the other way around.

You will still be responsible for getting them both to school regardless of them being in the same school or different schools unless they are going to their nearest suitable school and that is over 2 miles away.

Thank you so much for your kind replies. I will look at the admission criteria at the school.

The other thing to check is just what the school are doing. Is this just a bulge class in reception and other subsequent reception year groups will be just a single class or is it that the school is expanding to a two form entry school.
If it is the former there is nothing you can do but make sure DS1 is on the waiting list and from next september they realise that there is a sibling link.
If however the school is expanding all year groups to be two form entry then you need to establish how they are doing that. The sensible long term plan would be to introduce a second class at reception year only and over 7 years it will become a two from entry school. However that gives a building issue of how they handle needing a new classroom each year. It would not be a surprise if at some stage 7 new classrooms would be built and then it will be a free-for-all to get a place in the new classrooms and you need to be prepared to act.
You do not say what year group ds1 is in, but if the school is going to 2 form entry and he is in year 3 or above I would be tempted to appeal for a place as soon as the place for younger child is confirmed. Junior classes are frequently more than 30 and you have nothing to loose in appealing. If however they are in year 1 or 2 then the infant class size regs will apply and your chance of success is very very low.

@admission: Thank you for your kind reply.

My first son was born in 2009, so he is in first year. My second son was born in July 2013.

With this in mind, is there anything I should watch out for?

Thank you

So your second son will start school in September 2017, when your first son will be year 4. I do not think there is anything to watch out for, but would suggest that you try to appeal for a place when your first son is approaching year 3. Timing is everything because what you want is to appeal for a place in September 2016, when he will be entering year 3, which is a junior class and not subject to the infant class size regs. If you apply too early then it will be an appeal as an infant class size case for year 2, which you will not win. What you want ideally is an appeal in July just before the schools break up for the summer holiday, so an appeal lodged in June is about the right timing but the timing does change a bit from LA to LA.