Move near outstanding school with no places?

[User6782643]

We're considering a big move to a new area, currently have 3 DCs at school in years 5, 2 and reception. Thinking of moving now to be ready for secondary school applications in October. Would we be completely stupid to move near to a school knowing they currently have no places for our kids and just hope for the best? The catchment area is really small for all schools in this town, so we may get a place at another school around a mile away, but then may not get a place for our youngest when he starts school in a few years. I know a mile is not far away, but that's how far our current schools are and hoping to be a bit closer as part of our big move.

Depends on the school and the area (i.e how much mobility there is).

You may be able to appeal for the Y5 child (as infants class size will not apply) and also for the Y2 child once they get to Y3 in September.

I would have a plan B in place though - whether it is to go to the mile away school (do they have places?) or home educate.

I think getting all the children into the same school will be a problem with small catchement areas. They could be all over the place. It is a huge risk expecting any school to have these places if it is full and oversubscribed. Why not look at areas in catchment for the secondary and try to match up primary schools with vacancies? You may have to accept a less than stellar primary school for the sake of getting the secondary you want.

I personally would call all the schools in the area to find which one has a place for them all and decide it based on that
If it's a school you can live with and get to then I agree secondary is far more important
How do the children in year 2/5 feel about the move and attending a different school at this point?
The youngest child you mention would get in to whichever school the others were in based on sibling priority anyway 😃

There is also no guarantee that you would be in a new house by October. You definitely need a plan B.

Are you renting? Can you still take them to the old school whilst you wait for places?

We moved for a secondary but Ds1 was in year 3. I kept mine in the old primary but it is 3 miles away and I drove them there daily. When we moved I knew that I was committing myself to that drive for years.

Basically an outstanding primary and then into an outstanding secondary so it was worth it. Ds2 starts at the secondary this September.

not moving to Essex by any chance?? seems like lots of people move here for outstanding secondary options then find there are no primary spaces as hundred have already done this!...tis a problem for many, probably not just in Essex either