How information do I need to report this?

[Ruby2202]

Found out from a friend that one of her friends has used a fake address to get into a very good school in our city which is local to us.

Apparently friend of my friend lives in a deprived area of our city and asked a mutual friend who lives in catchment for the good school in a totally different area of the city if she could move in with her temporarily with her dc so she can put her address down for the admissions to get into this school. She was intending on moving in with her temporarily and then renting locally to the school.

However, when it came to it said friend hasn't let her move in and she still lives the other side of the city to this school but has got a place. Apparently she is looking to rent near the school by September as the commute would be big if she stayed where she is and she's always wanted to live in the area where the school is. As do many people as it's a lovely area and the school is one of the top schools for results in the country.

This is all the info I know. I am wondering if I should report this person? However, I don't even know her name or dcs name. I can't believe these things aren't checked and she'd get away with it! Guess they wouldn't be able to do much without the info?

I am unsure if I should report or not anyway. She's a single mum and i know is just trying to do the best she can for her dc like everyone is. But she wants to move to and send her dc to one of the best schools in the best areas in our city! Doesn't everyone? She obviously can't afford it and there are other good/outstanding schools in the city in less expensive areas. Her expectations are very high.

I know the system is very unfair as only the more wealthy can often afford to move to these areas to get their dc into this school but at the same time she is denying a place to someone else who might have really saved and worked hard to live in that area too and has gone through the system honestly. It's a very oversubscribed school.

"Causing that child upset having been told they are going to one school and being the one to take that away?"

The risk of losing a place obtained through cheating is entirely the responsibility of the person who cheated. So it is the parent who would cause upset, by creating the situation in the first place.

IF you knew this to be an actual FACT. and your knew the actual name and addresses involved then I would perhaps say pass it on to the local admissions people.
HOWEVER all this is completely hypothetical because you don't know any of those things. You can't report it because you don't knwo who it is!!!
The most you can do is suggest that your friend reports it.
If the mother has done this then she is in the wrong and has 'cheated' another child out of a place. I'm not really sure there is anything you can do about it though.

I can find out the mums name probably. Someone down thread says all they knew was the child's first name and the school when they informed admissions of someone they knew cheating.I know the school and can get the child s name probably. I don't want to ask my friend if she will do it as if I do it it will out me.

I am not depriving the child of a place, the mother who lied is. I would feel guilty not saying anything rather than saying something and that child's place being withdrawn. My conscience would be clear. It wouldn't be clear if I let it go.

I agree the system is unfair and the likelihood of that child who should really have the place having a better start in life is probably true but that doesn't mean that child shouldn't have a place at the local school. We don't know the circumstances of that child's parents to live in the catchment for that school.

The single mum could get her child into another great school in a less expensive area without cheating the system. The schools in her area aren't terrible either. It doesn't sound like that child's going to have some terrible life because they haven't got into one of the best schools in the country.

I can't believe these things aren't checked to be honest.

No, I don't get it.
You don't even know her name.
Why can't you just tell your friend to report her herself?
Why can't you ask your friend her name if your motive is pure fairness? What's wrong with outing yourself if you strongly believe in doing the right thing about total stranger?

The child could have a statement naming this school. I asume the child is not a looked after child which could also make a difference and give priority.

I think you should contact the admissions authority if you have the name of the child and the temporary address. If you do not, I do not really see how it can be checked. I do agree that cheats should not obrain a school place by deception and normally you have to declare how long you have lived at a property. However, in this case, it appears no alarm bells rang. They could check the electoral roll for who lives at the address given and the utility bills, but you need more information before you do anything, especially the temporary address!

I think it's absolutely none of your business!!! And if she's planning to move there anyway what is the issue?! You don't even know her name and you're thinking of reporting her
And what has her being a 'single' mum got to do with it?

Sadly you can't report it as you dont have enough information. In our area people historically cheated a lot and it was known. It still goes on but less so as people have been reported and caught out. The children who missed out where often those who could not rent a flat on the doorstep of a good school for 6 months or borrow grannies address in the huge houses on the streets at the back of the schools concerned.

I think people who say 'not your business' don't live in an area where is happens...and are not effected. They dont appreciate the impact. If everyone can just borrow an address of a friend, then why dont we all just do it and have a free for all. At our local schools everyone knows who moved 10 miles away as soon as they 'got in' and now drive 20mins to a school with an admissions distance of 0.3miles every year...

And not all areas check every application either.

I do live in an area where it happens. I still wouldn't stick my nose in. I'd think it was none of my business. Might have been the reason my friend 's dc had to go on the waiting list. Still none of my business

But what would you do if your child was on the waiting list and you were desperate for a place and new some one had cheated?
Some people look out for others and the greater good of all in their decision making.

But all you know is some gossip, right?

I believe reporting to admissions is for the greater good as it's not just a little white being told which effects no-one but her. It may not be my business but to me this is a big thing which continues for years and is a big lie. I think there is a difference between reporting something big like this and keeping out of someone else's business when it's something small.

She is a single mother in a deprived are who presumably doesn't want her child to stay within that sphere. I would do the same and not give a toss about the system!

Cheating the system yes, but single mum fighting for a better future for her child....Let's hope your never in that position.

Perhaps the child who's missed out on the places parents are also fighting for a better future. Perhaps they have overcome all sorts of obstacles to be able to buy a house in the schools catchment area. Perhaps that's the sole reason they brought their house.

Like I ve said where she lives isn't nearly deprived as other areas and the schools aren't terrible. Lots of people would say it's a lovely, leafy area with Victorian houses.

I ve made my decision anyway. Just need to find the right number to ring.

I take it you dont like your friend much?

Just intrigued, how do you intend to find out her name without asking your friend?????

I'd just leave it. Plenty of rich people screwing the system and getting ahead because of it. Social mobility has ground to a halt. I'm not going to judge anyone who breaks the rules to give their kids a better chance when the odds are being so blatantly stacked against them.

"Perhaps that's the sole reason they brought their house."

And also OP, you have no problem with people cheating the system this way? Probably taking a place from a family who has lived in the area for years?

I'm not going to judge anyone who breaks the rules to give their kids a better chance when the odds are being so blatantly stacked against them

Totally agree -

The rich have so many outside chances - well connected, holidays, additional classes, music, language tutoring- you name it

One child has possibly slipped through the net and it's 'not fair'

You're right it's not fair - so fight for all kids education not just one

Perhaps that family also aren't rich. Perhaps they struggle everyday to pay their mortgage. Perhaps they were lucky and brought their house before prices went rocketing up. I think it's important for local children to go to their local primary school. That child could be missing out on being part of the local community going to school with her neighbours dcs and existing friends.

I agree the system is grossly unfair but it's not ok to cheat and lie because of this.

Plus who says the odds are stacked against her? She lives in a less nice area but still in a fair area with good schools. They aren't living in poverty. It's only the mum who has always wanted to live in that area, which happens to be one of the most expensive, that she has done this. From what my friend said it's not necessarily to give her dc a better life. But most people want to live in the best area. We don't live in the area we would love to, it's too expensive. We accept that or work hard to try and change it we don't cheat and lie for it.

Whatever OP. You sound like you have too much time on your hands.

The council ask for several proof of address items, they'll find out.... don't report it

Go for it then OP, but be prepared to lose your friend over this, doesn't sound like you'll be bothered though.