Moving after primary school deadline

[Mamachats]

Hello!

We are trying to buy a house this year but it will be out of our current local authority. We had hoped to do so before January deadline but now it’s not looking likely. Has anyone had experience in making a late application around May/June time? Our daughter will be 4 in August so will be starting in reception in September this year. We are aware she doesn’t technically need to start until she is 5.

Would love to hear any reassuring stories about people who have moved after the school deadline or had successful in year applications!

Make sure you apply now for a place where you live. You can name schools in the area to which you are moving. If you move quickly, your new LA may treat you as an on time application from your new address.

Even if you don't get a place near your new home initially, you will get a place eventually. Your new LA must offer you a place somewhere. However, that may be at an unpopular school and could be some way from home. Note that they must provide free transport for your child if the school is more than 2 miles away by the shortest safe walking route.

If your new home is near a school, you are likely to be at or near the head of the waiting list for that school. Where you are on the waiting list is governed by the school's admission criteria. You don't go to the back of the list just because you are a late applicant.

As your daughter only turns 4 in August, you have the option of deferring her start by one or two terms if you want to wait and see if a place comes up at a school you want. Alternatively, there is also a good chance she could start Reception in September 2024. If you want to go down that route, you need to agree it with your new LA as soon as possible. You would then apply in the normal way in 12 months time.

If its any reassurance I had to move my son twice during primary so did in year admissions- both times there were a number of what I considered desirable schools with places. Have you identified the schools you would want to request in your new area? From memory some schools offered tours the first couple of weeks back so not too late to visit- it doesn't matter that you don't currently live near. You should be able to check whether they are oversubscribed and the last distance offered and this will give you an idea how difficult it will be but waiting list places do come up. As you mention your child doesn't need to start in September so keeping them at nursery while you wait for a school place can be an option- but you wouldn't need to unless you have set your heart on an oversubscribed school. For what its worth the oversubscribed ones are not necessarily the best!

I did some temping one year for our local Education authority and I would say make sure you apply now for a place within your catchment area at the moment but there is usually a free text box for comments and a paper clip to upload evidence (eg council tax bill)
Write in the comment box about your plans to move - be honest
With them
If you've had an offer accepted on a house attach the acceptance email as evidence and then if you've been honest with them they'll help you and put the school of your choice once moved in the comments box and ask them for advice on an "outside LEA transfer"

Hope it goes ok for you

Apply by the primary deadline based on where you are living. As soon as you move notify both local authorities and submit a late application. Local authorities handle late applications somewhat differently but the usual approach is to make offers on primary offer day to the on-time applicants and, once they have confirmed acceptance, to offer out the remaining places to the late applicants. Some places are under more pressure for places than others due to sometimes unforeseen demographic changes. So were you moving into a central London authority you may have more choice than previously, but if moving elsewhere, there could be less capacity. Your child will be offered a place, but you may need to join a waiting list if your preferred schools are full. Sometimes people sit on their offers knowing they will be moving abroad or sending a child to a fee paying school, so there can still be movement after the start of the academic year in September.