Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

I'm really panicking about my sons school

38 replies

midnightblue12 · 28/04/2023 20:44

My eldest is in infants at primary school.
My youngest is in nursery, next year (sept) he will enter pre school and I'll be able to submit his school choices.
I want him to attend the same school as my eldest. It's near my work, my parents, my brothers house. Eldest is happy there, I'm happy with it. It's just right.
Anyway, I have recently moved house. I live 10 min drive away and it's an easy commute. I do however live next door to another primary school which I have no shadow of a doubt we would get if I put it as my first option (I don't want this).
I'm so worried that my youngest will be placed in the school next to me or another school near me and be separated from my eldest. I literally don't know how I would even manage the school runs and work daily?! It would be impossible!!!!
I checked the website and it says that they consider siblings but then I keep seeing horror stories of siblings being separated.

Does anyone have any advice or reassurance for me?

I could potentially use my parents address on his form (which is what everyone is telling me to do) but I'm scared because I claim UC and council housing and that clearly says he loves with me (which he does!). My parents live down the road from the original school!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
BarkyMatherson · 28/04/2023 20:46

What are the entry requirements for the school? What is the catchment area? Is it over or under subscribed? If it has an attached pre-school do they know numbers of applicants for next year?

Original poster
midnightblue12 · 28/04/2023 20:49

I don't know about head count for next year, I don't know how I would find this out tbh?
There is an attached preschool but I don't use it. My youngest is being referred into Sen as he has speech problems so I don't want to move him whilst he's making progress. I also have a wonderful relationship with his nursery!
I don't believe theres a catchment area as such, but it's the closest in a straight line ok the map apparently!

OP posts:
babyproblems · 28/04/2023 20:50

Surely if you’ve got a sibling there then you’ll be pretty sure of a place? And even if you don’t get one you could go on a waiting list pretty high priority and probably get a place. Is it over subscribed? That’s a key question

Original poster
midnightblue12 · 28/04/2023 20:52

babyproblems · 28/04/2023 20:50

Surely if you’ve got a sibling there then you’ll be pretty sure of a place? And even if you don’t get one you could go on a waiting list pretty high priority and probably get a place. Is it over subscribed? That’s a key question

It's a popular school and all I know is that all years are constantly full!

I am just panicking because I've seen a few posts over the past few weeks (with the school statuses!!) sayings siblings didn't get the same school....

OP posts:
Grimbelina · 28/04/2023 20:58

There should be some links on your council's website about applying for reception and they will have all the schools there and their individual entry requirements, furthest distances etc. You really need to properly look and understand this, you may have nothing to worry about.

Usually there are are a number of different categories with usually looked after children at the top and then distance last. Siblings is usually high up (as long as your oldest child will actually be in the school at the same time your younger one will attend - if they will be leaving before your youngest gets there it won't count).

I wouldn't put a false address down (especially before you have understood what the arrangements are) as you risk having the place taken away if you are found out. You mention SEN, an EHCP may possibly help if you can name the school you want (and the school accept). Obviously this takes some time though.

toomuchlaundry · 28/04/2023 21:00

Is there an admission policy on the school website?

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 28/04/2023 21:02

Don't use your parents address!

Original poster
midnightblue12 · 28/04/2023 21:07

So on the council website it states this.

So would this mean there's no way they would consider closer residents above siblings?

Sorry if I sound dumb!

I'm really panicking about my sons school
OP posts:
Original poster
midnightblue12 · 28/04/2023 21:07

Ps thanks for the replies all!

OP posts:
FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 28/04/2023 21:10

Looks like you will be fine! In our LA it was changed to siblings in catchment area but that looks fine.

savoycabbage · 28/04/2023 21:11

Siblings of children who are at the school when the second child starts before children who live closest, yes.

febrezeme · 28/04/2023 21:13

That sibling rule likely only applies up to a certain age group - it quite often gets disregarded if the elder sibling is in the last 2-3 years of the school

Couldn't you have stayed in your previous home for another year and saved yourself the stress?

(I do think it's unfair that you could easily deprive a child living much closer to the school than you and who is in catchment)

Original poster
midnightblue12 · 28/04/2023 21:13

Thank you!
I will keep everything crossed now changes are made between now and then!
Siblings should be a priority how would anyone manage having 2 schools?! I'd probably loose my job as I'd have to reduce my hours so much! I don't use the school next to me as I have no help with the pick ups on the days that I work and after school club is a absolute no as ds hates it!

Anyway, thanks again ❤️

OP posts:
QuillBill · 28/04/2023 21:16

That sibling rule likely only applies up to a certain age group - it quite often gets disregarded if the elder sibling is in the last 2-3 years of the school

I'd say that is very unlikely, rather than likely as that's not what it says.

Original poster
midnightblue12 · 28/04/2023 21:16

febrezeme · 28/04/2023 21:13

That sibling rule likely only applies up to a certain age group - it quite often gets disregarded if the elder sibling is in the last 2-3 years of the school

Couldn't you have stayed in your previous home for another year and saved yourself the stress?

(I do think it's unfair that you could easily deprive a child living much closer to the school than you and who is in catchment)

But how could they impose that rule when not stated on the admissions policy online? That's very sneaky and defeats the purpose of having a policy is there are not providing all the information.

I get your point but I have a child at this school and the school it's self support me in my job due to location.

I was offered a lovely council property which I was strongly advised to not say no too. I didn't really have a choice.

OP posts:
Goodoccasionallypoor · 28/04/2023 21:16

I think you would be unlucky not to get a sibling place - birth rates are dropping year on year.

I would be more worried about getting caught using your parent's address than about not getting a sibling place using your own.

NancyJoan · 28/04/2023 21:19

siblings should be a priority how would anyone manage having 2 schools

If you move away, you can move the older child to the nearer school, no need to have two schools.

sounds like you’ll be fine anyway.

LockInAtTheFeathers · 28/04/2023 21:19

febrezeme · 28/04/2023 21:13

That sibling rule likely only applies up to a certain age group - it quite often gets disregarded if the elder sibling is in the last 2-3 years of the school

Couldn't you have stayed in your previous home for another year and saved yourself the stress?

(I do think it's unfair that you could easily deprive a child living much closer to the school than you and who is in catchment)

I don't mean to be rude but this is rubbish and unnecessarily worrying the OP. They have to apply the published admissions criteria- they can't just decide "Oh no, we only meant up until the oldest 3 years" if that is not what is stated in the criteria Confused It says that if the older child is still attending they are classed as a sibling and will be prioritised over those who live nearby but have no sibling attending, and that is what will apply. You will be absolutely fine OP Flowers

QuillBill · 28/04/2023 21:19

Siblings should be a priority how would anyone manage having 2 schools?!

You would get a childminder or move schools to go to the school near where you live. Confused

You moved.

What about the children who live close to a school but who can't get in their local school because it's full of siblings who live miles away?

That child's mother will also have a job and also have to get her child to school. But instead of walking five minutes down the road to her closest school she has to get them to a further one.

Grimbelina · 28/04/2023 21:25

There is usually further information for the last couple of years where you can see exactly how many were accepted in each category and how far the distance was for the child from the last category who lived furthest from the school. If you older son will still be there when you younger one starts it looks like you will be fine. If not, you will be able to guess from the previous distances whether you will get in or not.

Original poster
midnightblue12 · 28/04/2023 21:26

QuillBill · 28/04/2023 21:19

Siblings should be a priority how would anyone manage having 2 schools?!

You would get a childminder or move schools to go to the school near where you live. Confused

You moved.

What about the children who live close to a school but who can't get in their local school because it's full of siblings who live miles away?

That child's mother will also have a job and also have to get her child to school. But instead of walking five minutes down the road to her closest school she has to get them to a further one.

I understand your point of view but I just don't agree with you.
We obviously are not on the same position in life so we most likely won't agree.

Let's not forget that people move for lots of different reason, not just because they found their dream home or they are upgrading. So let's not just throw around "you chose to move" ok because it's not relevant.

I live 3.5 miles away from the original school (not straight line), barely miles away.

I have a child in that school and like I've stated multiple times, the location of school means I have support from family to work etc. My son being settled on a school he's already been accepted into matters as well and that counts!

Anyway not getting into any arguments here. It's fine we don't agree.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 28/04/2023 21:29

It would have to be a tiny school for a couple of LACs and EHCP admissions to take the number of prospective siblings over PAN. Or a family of octuplets, I suppose,

MomFromSE · 28/04/2023 21:45

QuillBill · 28/04/2023 21:16

That sibling rule likely only applies up to a certain age group - it quite often gets disregarded if the elder sibling is in the last 2-3 years of the school

I'd say that is very unlikely, rather than likely as that's not what it says.

I also disagree with @QuillBill

As long as the older sibling will still be attending the school when the younger sibling starts, they'll get priority admission. It is written as such clearly in the admission policy.

Don't use a fake address. You'll be fine applying and getting a sibling place.

ImJustMeSimpleMe · 28/04/2023 21:52

Hi, what year is your eldest in?
Will they still be at the school when your younger DC starts in reception year?

If he will still be at school when your younger DC starts then according to the oversubscription criteria you have a very good chance of getting in (of course it depends on how many siblings at applying for that school year)

I would only be worried if the school had a catchment area and the catchment children were offered places before siblings out of catchment but that isn't the case here.

DO NOT put anyone elses address. If the council/school find out you have done this they will likely withdraw the place as it's fraud.

Original poster
midnightblue12 · 28/04/2023 22:00

ImJustMeSimpleMe · 28/04/2023 21:52

Hi, what year is your eldest in?
Will they still be at the school when your younger DC starts in reception year?

If he will still be at school when your younger DC starts then according to the oversubscription criteria you have a very good chance of getting in (of course it depends on how many siblings at applying for that school year)

I would only be worried if the school had a catchment area and the catchment children were offered places before siblings out of catchment but that isn't the case here.

DO NOT put anyone elses address. If the council/school find out you have done this they will likely withdraw the place as it's fraud.

Yeah I totally agree, I wouldn't feel comfy using my parents address so I know I wouldn't resort to it. It's just what people keep saying to me when I talk about it!

I'm not sure how I find out if there's a catchment area? It's doesn't say anything about it anywhere?

OP posts: