Renting in catchment

[worriedandstressedAAA]

Ok, so don't shoot me but I am at my wits end about what to do for year 7 for DS, 10. We need to apply this October. DS is middle ability, sporty and not motivated at all. Our choices are the local comprehensive which is really rough and has poor exam results year on year or to go private. We've been looking at privates and it's becoming clear to me that DS does not stand a chance of getting into any of the good private schools in North London where we live. We may have a chance at some of the other privates, e.g. North Bridge House, but have visited and wasn't overly impressed and am not convinced it's any better than a good (and free) state secondary. There are two outstanding state secondaries a 10 minute drive from where we live with miniscule catchments. I am seriously considering renting in the catchment area for 12-18 months to get DS a place. I've read the borough's admissions policy and it seems it's ok to do this provided that we stay at least 12 months and genuinely live in the property. None of us want to move but seems to be the only way to get DS into a decent school. Lots of other families in the area seem to be making the same move. It's a massive decision though and still not sure if we should do it or keep exploring the private sector. Can anyone advise what we should do.

and a bit of a poke in the eye to the Reddit anti feminists.

The Reddit whats?

I hope they read that one

They really are a big rosarch test, aren’t they? Projected onto by everyone.

Officer, lots of people pay a huge amount of tax and are net contributors. Others never contribute a penny.

I am not looking for posters to say this is ok. I've read these threads before and seen how emotive they get. I am just interested in what others do in this situation.

Moving out of London isn't an issue due to work and a number of other factors.

In terms of what the rest of DS's class are going, I would say a third are going the local comp and everyone else moving/renting in the catchment for this school or another one in the areas. Some of the smarter kids trying for grammars. About 10 years ago lots of middle class parents did start sending their kids to this school and many still go but the results have gotten worse, not better. It's not clear why this is the case. If the results were better than I might feel more positive about it but they are pretty abismal.

Also, DS is not "always going to be ok" as per one poster. It's exactly because he is likely not to be ok that i want to move him. It's the middle ability, quieter kids who get overlooked and don't achieve their potential. And I am no more sharp elbowed that most of the posters on this thread who have moved or even become school governors in order to advantage their child.

I'd report you.

My daughter was offered a rubbish school, partly because she insisted on applying for only co-ed schools. All the good co-ed schools filled up, we didn't live close enough or meet the priority offers process, so we expanded our search. After my daughter reluctantly agreed to looking at girl's schools we asked to be put on the waiting list of a few. Most of her friends have been offered a place at one good girls' school, but to our astonishment, dd as offered a waiting list place for a school which is far better! Yes, she has to travel further but we are extremely pleased!

We live in Southwark, South East London.

Battleaxe-I was called that on a Reddit thread. I didn't make it up!

OP-why are you so sure that the catchment school will be a disaster? I'm not saying it isn't, of course. But secondary schools can look grim and have grim headlines about them but still be good. And vice versa. A boy was excluded from our local, very middle class grammar school for carrying a knife for example- and there were police at another school because they were taking a drug issue very seriously.

I work in a North London primary. This has been common in my school. Great area with excellent primaries, but neighbouring area has better Ofsted graded secondary schools. The renting a house near the outstanding schools has been common practice for years. However, for the past 2 years places have been withdrawn by the LA for people who are renting whilst owning a perfectly habitable house nearby. If you do it you are playing a risky game, and I know families who have lost their school place and a sizeable amount of money by doing this.
Another thing to bear in mind if you play this game is that the LA will then only have an obligation to provide you with a School which still has available spaces, chances are this could be anywhere in your borough.

What are the majority of his friends doing? If they are going to the local comp is it not better he stays with good friends and you assume things will get better if more people go to their local school? Go and have a look at the local school and meet headmaster and say you’ve heard people carry knives, see what he says, it may be complete rubbish. Or ask what security measures they have?
If they do have security issues I’d rather pay to go to a private school, even if it’s not great, just so my child is safe. I’ve found most kids will reach their full potential whichever school they go to with parents being interested and involved.

If stamp duty will exceed the cost of private then investigate the private route really thoroughly if you have the cash flow to do so.
My eldest 2 dds went to a good comp. The quieter one was completely overlooked the entire time in hindsight. A mixed ability intake private school with lower numbers, good pastoral care and some sport seems the least risky option/ most achievable and predictable outcome.

Our north London LA tightened down on this last year and added something along the lines of "if you are renting a property but own another, that will be used as your permanent address for admissions purposes", and a friend said they had withdrawn nine offers between offer day and September where families were caught out with this.

IMO, it's not worth the money and stress it could cause you knowing your place could be taken away. I'd find another option.

Well, if we don't move, I certainly don't intend to report any of the other families I know who are doing this. Bit pathetic if you ask me unless of course you spend your time policing other "illegalities". Lots of dog fouling, muggings and moped/acid attacks in my area if you want to start campaigning re those too? A lot more harmful to society than people trying to go the best for their kids.

Interesting point re waiting lists though. Wondering if this is an option.

Middle class handicap??!! Poor you being a home owner AND being fortunate enough to rent in the catchment area of the good school. Most people don’t have that option. Stop looking for sympathy and support, even if it is legal it’s completely immoral and people like you are the reason the system is unfair

It's not pathetic if you have genuinely lived in an area for years, been to the local primary, been part of the community, then miss out on your local secondary because those with the means buy into your area for a year then ship out.

And people do report. Not those that try to abuse the system, but those that are fed up of some people manipulating it to their advantage.

Whatever the ethics, OP, it’s all sounding quite hard work & high risk, with no guaranteed return on your effort.

Battleaxe-I was called that on a Reddit thread. I didn't make it up!

I don’t think you can tar them all anti feminists on the strength that one of them doesn’t like the cut of your jib

Thanks all, including cogar, the last few posts are super helpful. Yes, the local comp may not be a total disaster. A few of his friends will be going and it is close which is a massive advantage. I will go to the open day later this year and see what the headteacher has to say about the violence etc. Agree that this is an issue in many schools, even high performing ones.

Also agree that a not so great private school might be better for DS for the next few years so will keep exploring this. Just worried he won't even get an offer to this one but will try to find out more re numbers.

I think, all in all, we won't move. Too much hassle and worry for an uncertain outcome. Not moving will also have it's own stresses though. Will probably have another panic in a few days and reconsider all over again!

Our council requests at least 3yrs council tax and utility bills for nursery upwards and if you can't provide them then your placement is unlikely - they are also routinely checked and if found to be false (you said child lives at 123 abc drive but that's actually grandparents address and you just used it for catchment) then instant lose of placement and police visit.

Speak to local area and schools and work out best solution but don't "steal" placements and get caught out.

Good luck. We have a local school with poor reputation of mothers fighting outside the school!! Several friends have ‘had’ to send theirs there as it is their catchment school and, surprise surprise, have found it to be a really good school!! Sometimes a school has a reputation that just isn’t fair. My year 10 school, lovely school, just had to suspend someone for bringing in a rucksack with drugs in. NO school is ideal!
Honestly, choose the best you can legitimately get into and just be involved, check on homework, go to all parents evenings, etc, it will be fine I’m absolutely sure of it.
I think your 9 friends maybe quite disappointed in the end!

Kim, it was funny in the way, and I have read where you changed your UN on the thread. But honestly, the name has scary impact for me, but obviously telling to change your way is wrong, so I won't. If you think it's funny, just carry on.

You're talking about seven years of education which will have an impact on the rest of your DS's life. It's only natural for parents to want the best for their children, even if it disadvantages others. Personally I'd take the moral hit and live with feeling like I'd done wrong, as long as my DS was better off in the long run. I went to a bad school and my life was absolute hell - I'd do anything for my DS not to have to go through that.

In this situation I'd apply for legal separation from my husband and rent a place in the school catchment. Wait a year till DS starts school then "get back together" with my husband.

Flutist - they are wise to that trick and all the other tricks people use

Op you are shameless - you just can’t see that what you want to do is wrong. No - other people don’t cheat/lie like this for their kids.

I also think you are a bit stupid - why are you only thinking about this now? You should have looked at school catchments when you bought your house and you’ve known this situation since presumably you moved there. You should think ahead next time.

Flutist, would you not all just move and rent in catchment rather than file for legal separation?

Applesandpears, it's not lying and yes, loads of other people do this anf far worse!

We bought our house 11 years ago and kids go to school 5 minutes away. Moving will mean commuting further to school for all of them. We didn't move until now so why would we have moved years ago and disrupted DCs's primary education? I think you're a bit stupid for suggesting we should move before we need to.

Also, 11 years ago we would have been in catchment for the outstanding secondary! And who, pre children, even thinks about catchments??

Flutist, would you not all just move and rent in catchment rather than file for legal separation?
It gets round having to dispose of your previous house if DH still lives in it separately. I would happily live apart from DH for a year if it meant DS had a better school experience and education.

Ah, I see. Problem is that we can't afford to rent house in catchment unless we rent our house out. From what the LA said, renting it also satisfies the "disposes" of requirement.

Can you say more about why you think the school will be a disaster for your ds?

Agree: you are shameless. Go and do what you want to do. Don't worry about the people your selfishness hurts. Yes, actual real people who want to send their kids to their local schools. I've seen so much despair because of people like you so I have zero sympathy. But please just stop bleating about being hard done by. Do you have any idea how offensive that is, especially to people who have none of the options you seen to have (legal or otherwise).