Applying for state school

[Sevendaysinaweek]

Quick and hopefully simple question: do you need to apply for a state school place if you already know DC is going to private school and/or otherwise let the council know?

I assume not but just wondering if it needs to be registered somewhere that the DC will in fact attend school.

I think that you will probably be allocated a school place and when you get the letter you reply turning down the place and saying why
That's how it works in our LEA

I did because our local private schools are selective at reception and we didn't know we had a place before the state decision. When we got a private place I rang the council and withdrew. didn't stop me getting offered a state place, which I then declined.

No, if you don't need a state school place you need not apply.

Your council may or may not ask you to confirm how your DC will be educated. But as long as you have arranged for them to receive a suitable education (whether in a school or elsewhere) you need not do anything, other than responding appropriately to an enquiry.

I think that you will probably be allocated a school place

not if you don't apply! if you have a definite private place no need to apply for state

"I think that you will probably be allocated a school place"

Only if you apply for one.

If you do apply (because you are not yet sure you have the private school place and want a safety net) and turn it down as soon as you know it's not needed, then it's highly likely you will be asked what education you have arranged. Councils have a duty to make sure children are not missing from education, and this is a reasonable way for them to check.

yes, they emailed me to ask what private school she was going to

Thanks all.

For our eldest we applied for a state place, were offered one, and turned it down when we decided to go private. No further questions ensued. Our second will definitely go private so it sounds like there is no need to apply, just to provide details if asked.

My children have been in independent education from nursery and I am mot convinced the council knows they exist. In fact, a significant number of council or health services I have tried to access - speech therapy and the like- aren't open to us because they aren't in state school

I was surprisexd no one asked us. I think at the 5 or 4 year check the health visitor did note down that we were intending to educate them privately so perhaps that was their check. There is a home school right too though so very important principle.. Even our Queen was educated at home.