Summer holiday move

[dressedstressed]

I am planning on moving in with my partner. He owns a house by the south coast - I live in London (rent).

I don't want to move DD during a year at school so would rather her finish her year at her current school (Y1). This would mean moving at the end of July.

However, how do I get her a new school place for September? As far as I know, I need to have proof that I live in the local area, but I won't be on any of the utility bills or paperwork for the house as I would have just moved in (as opposed to buying a house etc).

It will take a couple of weeks to get my name put on some utilities and then to get a copy of these to show to the LA, won't it?

What if they don't have a school-space by the start of term?

Theoretically you can apply from your current address late June/early July, with a September start date, and if there is a vacancy they will offer it.
Otherwise... its likely won't be looked at until end of August/beginning of September so she would miss the first couple of weeks of term.

On the plus side, my in year admissions after moving have taken
Yr2... a week
Yr3... 3 days
Yr4... 2 months
Y5.... 5 days.
(Two different children, 2 moves). So only once did we struggle.

Technically if they have a space, they should offer it to you wherever you live. So you could find out around June and apply for a school with a space. They will usually hold a space for about 3 weeks, so you could start in Sept. The only issue being how long it takes them to process the application.

If none of the local schools have a space, it will be trickier, as they don't have to find you a space if you aren't living there. I would have thought Council Tax is a good way to get a bill in your name, especially if your LA have an online system where you can print off the bill. Alternatively change the address with your bank and print off an online statement. If there are no spaces it can all take longer unfortunately.

Ok, so is it In-year applications that need to be made to the council? But if I haven't moved yet and try to get a space at the end of June/early July, do I still do it through the council or direct to school?

You need to check the admissions arrangements for where you are moving to. It varies.

Also if she misses a few days or weeks from the start of term, at worst, what do I do? Won't I get in trouble for that? I guess homeschool but do I have to do that "officially?"

The council is obliged to find you a school place as quickly as possible.

Once they offer you a place, you have to take it within a certain number of days.

You won't get in trouble for not educating her officially while waiting for a school place. (You may want to naturally... but be careful about saying you are as it can slow the council down)

If she is not enrolled at a school she won't get in trouble for not attending. As PP said, don't tell the LA you are home schooling in case they are less concerned about finding you a place! But yes you can have her at home a few weeks and teach her or go on day trips to a theme park and no-one will be concerned.