Reception offer

[taniadougs]

Hi all

Just after some advice. If we are offered a place for Reception but not for our older child in Year 3. What is the process and our position? Does the older sibling go on the waiting list with no idea how long the wait is and in the meantime offered another school?

We don't want to have them at 2 different schools really..

Thanks

Tania

Yes you'll go on the waiting list, and they will probably be at the top as they already have a sibling on the school. You need to look at their admission criteria and ask if the waiting list criteria is set the same.

My understanding is that the school handles the waiting list so you need to speak to them direct regarding the waiting list for year 3.

Have you been offered a space elsewhere for your older child?

Hi thanks

That's really helpful. I will speak to the school direct. We haven't been offered anything for our Year 3 child yet.

Are we really expected to just accept the Reception space and have them at 2 different schools until a Yr 3 place comes up? How would we get them to school on time? I was under the impression that they would have to create an additional space for the junior place. Have I got that wrong?

I'm really worried about accepting the Reception place and having the problem of getting them to different schools.

Tania

Lots of people manage with children at 2 different schools for a while, otherwise you're asking for 2 spaces to come up at exactly the same time which is unlikely.

Are you talking about this years Reception or Reception in Sep 15? When are you wanting the place for the Y3 child ?

Are you moving to a new area?

Schools don't have to make a new place for siblings, but depending on their admissions criteria you would be at or near top of the list - no guarantee of a place.

You can ring the LEA and ask for a list of schools in the borough that have spaces, then ring the schools and weigh up which is most likely to have a place for both kids. Or are you keen on a particular school?

Are you moving to a new area?

Schools don't have to make a new place for siblings, but depending on their admissions criteria you would be at or near top of the list - no guarantee of a place.

You can ring the LEA and ask for a list of schools in the borough that have spaces, then ring the schools and weigh up which is most likely to have a place for both kids. Or are you keen on a particular school?

Yes, is this an in year transfer or for next September?

You may be able to appeal for your year 3 child especially if there aren't any places anywhere for him!

Hi all

Thanks for all your advice! This is an in year application as we are moving to a new area. We have been offered a Reception place only so far but it's not at the school we really want so we are staying on the waiting list for the school we really want for both children.

The dilemma is whether we keep them in their current school together and commute the 40 mins each way or accept this reception place on a temporary basis until we get the school we really want. However, the problem still remains that my Yr3 child has not been offered a place at the same school or indeed any school in the new area yet.

My gut instinct is now saying to keep them in their current school for as long as we can and wait for a place to come up in the school we really want but again there seems yo be no guarantee both will get places there at the same time. The school we want is down the road from us so we would probably be at the top of the waiting list.

Thanks Tania

Could you contact local school and ask about spaces?

I believe so.

Worth asking the schools what the historic mobility is like.

In London, the population is fairly transient so there is a good chance of a place turning up in any year group. More rural areas, children might only leave once in a blue moon.

We're moving out of London to a place that there is basically not a hope in hell of getting a place in the village school. Fortunately we love the London school and since we work in London, DD will commute 50 minutes each way on the train. The commute can be used to do reading/homework etc or just space for a nice chat without distractions.

So, if you like the old school and the commute isn't a hideous 40 minute drive in rush-hour traffic then I would suggest staying there and waiting for a local place.

Otherwise, remember that once the LA have offered a place, if you turn it down they have no obligation to offer you another.

Hi again,

Are you waiting for school Y? I'd be interested to know which school you got the reception place for, pm me maybe? If its the one I think I might be able to put you in contact with some parents with children there.

Yes good idea will ask the school we want where we would be on the waiting list. Good to hear their will be some movement at least!!

Oh greeneggs will PM you!

Thanks so much!