SCHOOL ADMISSIONS- anyone given a FALSE ADDRESS and prepared to ADMIT it ??

[noonar]

ok, here's my dilemma: i have 2 dds aged nearly 3 and 5. one is at a fab school, the other due to start in sept 08. the trouble is, we want to move house, as we currently live on a v busy street, are are keen to be somewhere quieter.

we have our hearts set on a semi rural location, 15 mins drive from the school. this would mean that dd2 would not get into her sister's school, as we'd be outside the 2 mile radius for 'sibling links'.

we don't want the dds to go to the village school, as dd1's current school is outstanding, esp as far as multicultural ed is concerned. also, dd1 is happy there, and we'd only be moving a short drive away.

it seems crazy that we'd have to lie in order for dd2 to attend the same school.

my SIL and mum live in the catchment area for dd1's school. IF we think about putting their address on dd2's form, what day to day problems are we likely to encounter, as far as keeping up the pretence goes?

any advice from anyone brave enough to share their exp of this kind of situation?

i realize that this is a controversial subject (so please dont all jump on me!) but i really do think that our case is quite exceptional. after all, my main objective is to keep dd1 at her school, NOT to get her into a school at which she is not entitled to a place.

also, different neighbouring village which we are interested in, which has a good school, has no places for dd1, so getting them both into the same school, even 'legitimately' is proving nearly impossible for us, atm.

apologies to anyone who's had enough of me and my house moving saga!

tia

Even if you move, DD2 should get into the same school as DD1 anyway with the siblings policy.

bubble, there's a 2 mile limit, where we live.

Sorry. Just re read and saw the 2 mile radius for siblings thing.

Our LEA requires 2 utility bills with school applications to prove residency at the given address. Also, some primary schools do 'home visits' before the child starts reception. Could be tricky if DD2 is at grandma's or auntie's?

one is there, and the other already has a place? ime they can't make yo change schools, i knew someone miles from school, wh had 4 children, but wanted to keep them at the same school when they moved!

If the school is oversubscribed someone will find out about you and complain.

Be aware that if caught you may lose both places (has happened at our school.)

ok, we didnt have any home visit with dd1. and we didnt need proof of address.

i was thinking, if we nofify them of a change of address before applying for dd2, it'd be less likely to arouse suspicion.( if thye have auntie's house registered as a n existing address, iyswim.)

do you have to move?
why not just stay, or look within catchment area

elastic. Her school has a '2 mile radius' siblings policy. She's trying to gett DD2 into the school while living outside of the radius.

Sorry,but everyone thinks their case is exceptional.
And you are not only trying to keep dd1 at her school you are trying to get dd2 into a school where she won't be entitled to a place.
Can you not delay the move?

I think there is the potential for a whole lot of trouble if you get caught out lying tbh.

elastic, dd2 doesnt have a place yet. we have to apply fro hear next year.

it seems so unfair that my LEA has a 2 mile limit.

i dont think you should be forced to disrupt your child's schooling just because you move house.

iwouldnt lie,
you might get found out

so is the other school so bad?

sugarfree, if i was in a different LEA i wouldnt have to think about lying.

many people are allowed to do exactly what i am proposing. they dont have to lie about it.

thts why its exceptional.

Maybe. I would worry more about other parents knowing than the LEA, TBH.

What will you do for playdates etc?

Parents will expect to pick up from auntie's area, not your new area, IYSWIM.

I have to say if I had a mate who had missed out on a place at the school to someone on the fiddle, I would tell. Sorry.

But I do understand where you're coming from.

I must say, I've never heard of a 2 mile radius for siblings before. Seems a bit harsh.

What's the policy if you wait until she's already going to the school, then move? Wouldn't that be a better alternative?

bubble, i can see your point, but i just dont feel that i hould HAVE to 'fiddle' the system. surely this situation is not as bad as lying on the first application for the first child??

why should people in other counites be allowed to keep their child at their school, but i cant?

I'd wait until DD2 was in school and the move.

or have you asked the school?
they might be able to wangle it..

babygrand, LTH, thatw ouldnt really help as dd1 would have to apply for the junior school the following year, so we'd have the same problem then!

the village school is underachieving and has mixed age classes, which i'm not keen on for reception.

Erm...
Yes i have very recently, we are buying a house by my mums, so to get dd into nursery for Sept i put my mums address down

We are not far off exchanging contracts etc though.

Noonar, the people in other counties thing is because education policy is set to some extent by LEAs, so admission rules vary area by area, beyond the 'first priority to children in care or with a social/educational need' stuff.

Round here I know people who moved out of my town after getting no. 1 into a desirable school and still get in for no. 2 under sibling rule. Seems unfair as there were only 13 non-sibling places for this school last year (for reception Sept this year). So local kids who are first or only children miss out on their nearest school.

How long before you have to apply for DD2? It will only be between September-December this year anyway won't it?

Once the application is in, you could move happily without fear of problems surely?

Can you just keep looking for now, and then start activitly thinking about moving a bit later in the year?

edam, i can see that but dd's school is four form entry! (but its still oversubscribed)