Moving house moving school

[Elizabeth90]

Hello

We are currently in Hertfordshire and will be moving to East Sussex this year. We are still property searching, but our focus is on Lewes or Hove. I have a 6 year old son who is currently at a private Montessori and we will have to move him into a mainstream community school. I am confused by catchment areas (we are South African). What if we choose a home based on the school we like and then he doesn’t get in? Our decision on our home will be based on schools because we love Hove and Lewes. I would also love recommendations on schools - my son has high functioning autism and, although he does really well and is particularly social, he can’t cope with large groups of children. So we are after a smaller school or small classes. Any advice or opinions or experiences on any of these topics would be massively appreciated 🙂

As soon as you move to a state school, then this means the number of pupils in the class will be 30, not the small class you want.
It is also true to say that there is a probability that you whilst you can move to a house next to a school, that the school may well be full and you will not be offered a place at the school. Given your son is 6, the infant class size regulations will be in force, limiting the class size to 30 and also severely limiting your chances of getting a school place in the school you want at appeal.
As such there has to be a high % chance that you will not get the school you want and therefore you are probably best in looking for an area you like and concentrating on getting the home you want, with the school coming second. Sorry that sounds harsh but I am afraid that is the reality.

Hehe yes that is harsh but, hey, it is what it is! And it’s helpful because the estate agents make it out like this is all easy but most of them don’t even have kids. I am currently living in a small village where all the schools are quite small in numbers so I wasn’t sure what it was like elsewhere. Thanks for the heads up :)

Does your son have an EHC plan?

I just had to look up what that is even - he has been in the UK since he was 3 and it’s never been mentioned by the health care?! I will look into this for sure - he started at a state nursery and I was asked to be his ‘assistant’ at school!

EHC plan are difficult to obtain

It should state your child's needs as far as education is concerned.

You can ring the LA - they will be open over the summer and ask where there are places available. However they won't hold places and things can change quickly. So it's still a bit of pot luck.

However, if you have a EHCP you can 'nominate' a school you feel would best meet your child's needs and the LA have to take that into consideration.

Also you must accept the school offered and go on the waiting lists for closer schools - you may get lucky

If you refuse they don't have to help you anymore - their job is to find you a place.
It's a mine field!!! And a big worry - but things have a way of working out.