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Original poster

Any tips on how to move into catchment before house comes up to buy?

16 replies

funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 17:09

Hi, we are relocating from Slough to Stroud in August - my son has got a place in a local grammar school so he is sorted for Y7 September. Our house is on the market and we know which village we'd like to move to. Would love my daughter to go to that village school for Y5 and Y6 - everything about the school looks great from the website.
However there is nothing to buy or rent at the moment in the village, and not even anything on AirBnB we could go into temporarily ...

Worst comes to worst we will rent elsewhere and she will go to a different school, or maybe I'll have to move her twice (not ideal as she will find that challenging socially)

Is there anything I've missed in terms of finding somewhere to rent? Admissions criteria need a village address, rental contract or signed contract on house ...

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PuttingDownRoots · 13/03/2023 17:12

Remember with in year admissions catchment isn't as important... its simply what schools have spaces. If there's a space, she will get it if she's the highest qualifying child on the waiting list. If there is no space, you can live next door and not get in

BendingSpoons · 13/03/2023 19:47

As PP said, does the school have spaces? If they do, they will give it to you regardless of where you live. If they don't, but other schools do, they will give you a place in another school even if you are living in the village.

Is it possible they meant you need to have a local address before they will offer you a school place? As you are not their responsibility until you live in their area.

WeCome1 · 13/03/2023 19:51

Have you joined a local Facebook group and asked about houses to let there? Either if they know of anything or if they know what websites they get advertised on?

Original poster
funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 19:52

Oh right, thank you I hadn't realised that, simply as I thought in KS2 there wasn't a limit on class size so a child in catchment would get in. Thank you will look into this!

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Original poster
funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 19:54

Thanks all, yes I have found a local Facebook group but it doesn't seem very active (unlike the one round here which is constant!!). I thought maybe it was a bit early to start asking for rentals for August but maybe not?

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PuttingDownRoots · 13/03/2023 19:54

There is more flexibility in KS2 but thats at Appeals.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 13/03/2023 19:55

funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 19:52

Oh right, thank you I hadn't realised that, simply as I thought in KS2 there wasn't a limit on class size so a child in catchment would get in. Thank you will look into this!

Well that suggests that if 10 students in Y5 moved into the catchment of a 1 form entry school, it could end up with a class size of 40- I think you can see that wouldn't (usually) be the case.

Most schools will publish a PAN (the number admitted to each year group), and you can ask if the year group is currently over or under their PAN. Normally it will be a multiple of 30, unless there are mixed year classes, in which case it could be e.g. 45.

If there is a PAN of, say 45, and it's currently at 40, then you have a good chance of being given a place. If there's already 47 students in that year group, it would be much harder.

Original poster
funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 19:56

Thanks Puttingdownroots that makes sense - very helpful

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Postapocalypticcowgirl · 13/03/2023 19:56

PuttingDownRoots · 13/03/2023 19:54

There is more flexibility in KS2 but thats at Appeals.

You'd still have to prove the detriment to the school is lower than the detriment to your child- which gets harder if the school is already very full.

WeCome1 · 13/03/2023 19:59

funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 19:54

Thanks all, yes I have found a local Facebook group but it doesn't seem very active (unlike the one round here which is constant!!). I thought maybe it was a bit early to start asking for rentals for August but maybe not?

Yeah, but it would be good to find where houses to let are advertised?

Also, if they are in such short supply, would you consider taking one on earlier, though, if one comes available.

PuttingDownRoots · 13/03/2023 20:00

Another thing to be aware of... if you move in August and apply then they may not look at the application until schools reopen in September.

Original poster
funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 20:00

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 13/03/2023 19:55

Well that suggests that if 10 students in Y5 moved into the catchment of a 1 form entry school, it could end up with a class size of 40- I think you can see that wouldn't (usually) be the case.

Most schools will publish a PAN (the number admitted to each year group), and you can ask if the year group is currently over or under their PAN. Normally it will be a multiple of 30, unless there are mixed year classes, in which case it could be e.g. 45.

If there is a PAN of, say 45, and it's currently at 40, then you have a good chance of being given a place. If there's already 47 students in that year group, it would be much harder.

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Good point - I guess unusual in a village but I get your drift. So I need to check the PAN and call the school - thank you

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BendingSpoons · 13/03/2023 20:05

Yes call the school and ask if they have spaces. They can hopefully tell you but may direct you to the LA. It is worth noting that they won't hold a space for more than about 3 weeks, so if they have one now, they may not in September. Of course it can work the other way - someone might move and a space might become available later on.

You can appeal if there is no space, but this takes time and is no guarantee.

Original poster
funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 20:39

PuttingDownRoots · 13/03/2023 20:00

Another thing to be aware of... if you move in August and apply then they may not look at the application until schools reopen in September.

Yes that makes sense - everything is so up in the air I may end up homeschooling for a week or two until we are settled.

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Original poster
funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 20:40

BendingSpoons · 13/03/2023 20:05

Yes call the school and ask if they have spaces. They can hopefully tell you but may direct you to the LA. It is worth noting that they won't hold a space for more than about 3 weeks, so if they have one now, they may not in September. Of course it can work the other way - someone might move and a space might become available later on.

You can appeal if there is no space, but this takes time and is no guarantee.

Thank you that is super helpful. Yes agree there may well be a bit of movement in Sept

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Postapocalypticcowgirl · 13/03/2023 21:56

funnyfoursome · 13/03/2023 20:00

Good point - I guess unusual in a village but I get your drift. So I need to check the PAN and call the school - thank you

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The thing, is, if it's a very small school, it will have a very small PAN.

And the detriment to a very small school having to take extra pupils can be seen as higher.

Not all village schools are under subscribed.

So you do really need to check before you move there. Check the admissions criteria too, as to where you would be on the waiting list, even if you could move to the village- if they prioritise siblings, for example, it may not help to be the closest.

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