I am very worried about the judgement of the primary school catchment area

[orecheukbcc]

Recently we found a lovely perfect house, we would like to buy but found that the catchment area is a bit far from my son's school which is now attending. I'm really worry about that does Council will force us to change the school even it is stand in the same council but not the school catchment area?

My elder son is now going to year 2, he has many good friends, we do not want to change the school and hopefully my little one can study in the same school too.

But we really love that house, this problem make us very struggle.

Anyone have good suggestion and help? Many Thanks for your reply!!

ah, I thought the OP was talking about England, with reference to distances etc. I think there, this would be against the rules, to make children reapply after moving, regardless of local authorities. I'm sure the system is very different in Scotland with their fixed catchments, though, and it would be wise of OP to check if that is the case.

Scotland is different to England. Not sure about Wales. I was assuming England from the language around difference...

distance

@PeppermintMocha

ah, I thought the OP was talking about England, with reference to distances etc. I think there, this would be against the rules, to make children reapply after moving, regardless of local authorities. I'm sure the system is very different in Scotland with their fixed catchments, though, and it would be wise of OP to check if that is the case.

Some local authorities in Scotland work on distance too though. Daft to assume where the OP is and again it's vital to check each council's criteria to be absolutely sure.

@Rainbowshit

In practice I doubt requests to remain are refused, but everyone saying that the OP's elder child will be fine is giving terrible advice as it very very much depends on the local authorities school admission policies.

As others have said though, this is very different in England, and I'm pretty sure that a place couldn't be taken away for moving once a child has started at the school (assuming that the address they applied with was honest), and major things like this wouldn't vary across local authorities in England- there are set rules on admissions. I'm prepared to be corrected on this by the admissions experts if I'm wrong, but it really isn't terrible advice to say her older child's place is safe if the OP is in England, it is correct. The school admissions system is very different, with even people in a school catchment area not guaranteed places if numbers go over the PAN, and children outside of catchment being taken with no issues if there is room with no need for placing requests.

But going off the OP which was the only info given, it is terrible advice as no one even asked where she is.

It is very Mumsnet to just assume everyone is in England though.

@Rainbowshit

It is very Mumsnet to just assume everyone is in England though.

To be fair the OP did mention "Year 2" which would rule out Scotland. England and Wales admissions are similar I think? (Don't know about NI).

Yes, I should have prefaced my remarks by saying in England. The OP’s posts do seem to be describing the admissions criteria of an English school - I’d have expected a mention there of placing requests, if in Scotland - but the key is checking in detail with the relevant school/admissions authority.

I’ve been knocking around the education threads for well above a decade and it’s noticeable how few queries about school admissions come from Scotland, where the placing system seems (as far I can tell from my city in England) to be clearer, simpler and more likely to provide the outcome most parents want.

Thank you so much for all of your reply!

I tired to copy their admission policy here:

1	Looked after children, previously looked after children who have been adopted or become subject to child arrangements or a special guardianship order immediately after having been looked after. And internationally adopted previously looked after children who were accommodated by a public authority, a religious organisation or any other provider of care whose sole purpose is to benefit society. A looked after child is a child who is in the care of an English local authority in accordance with section 22 (a) of the Children Act 1989. 
2	Children with a chronic medical or social care need for a particular school.
This may also apply to an immediate family member. The application must be supported by a letter written by a professional such as a qualified medical practitioner, setting out the reasons why the school is the only one that can meet the child's needs and the implications for the child if they are not offered a place at the school.
Work commitments and childcare arrangements are not considered as being a chronic medical or social care need.
3	Children with a sibling - living at the same address - who is already attending the school at the time of the child's admission.
Sibling means a full, half, step, adopted or foster brother or sister. This does not include siblings who attend a school's nursery provision.
4	Other children based on home to school distance.
The distance from home to school is measured as a straight line from the centre of the home address to the centre of the school site.
If two applicants live an equal distance from the school, the offer of a place will be decided by random allocation.
Attendance at a school's nursery, children of staff, work commitments and childcare arrangements are not part of the decision making proces.

I guess it means the sibling is over than distance?

Thanks a lot for your advice!!

Yes that's good news for you - both should be fine (assuming that the elder will still be at the school when the younger starts).

@ditalini

Yes that's good news for you - both should be fine (assuming that the elder will still be at the school when the younger starts).

Thank you so much!!

Thanks so much for all of your reply!