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Primary education

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

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Original poster

School admission address checking

72 replies

Bbqlady · 30/05/2023 13:28

Looking for some advice on a tricky situation. Long story short it has just emerged that somebody I know has used my address to get their child in to a school within my catchment (outside of theirs) without even asking. It came to light recently by chance (they did not disclose the info).They have confirmed the place already. What I want to know is, do all boroughs cross check addresses or do some just accept your address is accurate on good faith? And at what point do they cross check? From what I can see you have to provide evidence at application stage but there’s no way that could’ve been done without my knowledge as surely they would’ve needed some documentation? I am hoping that cross checking is to come and at that point it will come to light but I am concerned it has already got to the point of confirming. I am not looking for advice to report them etc. I know I can do that. But if it resolves prior without my involvement that would be preferable. It’s a complicated situation with some other issues so I just want to know the likely outcome.

OP posts:

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Soapboxqueen · 30/05/2023 13:32

Unless there is high demand, obvious inconsistencies or other reason to suggest fraud, not all LA's routinely check for address proof.

However, I was asked for proof before offer day because routinely asking after would create massive problems with reallocating places.

I think you'll have to report of you want it resolved. Though I'd also be worrying about when else this friend had used your address tbh

PinkConsoleGamer · 30/05/2023 13:34

The council we live in only check prior to offering the place if the school is oversubscribed. If it's not they don't check.

Original poster

Bbqlady · 30/05/2023 13:41

@PinkConsoleGamer @Soapboxqueen thanks for your input. This is what I was worried about! I’m not sure if it’s oversubscribed I would have to check. I don’t have school aged kids.

OP posts:

DelurkingAJ · 30/05/2023 13:42

We had to provide council tax bills (copies) with our offer acceptance. If they’ve forged that then I think you may have to say/do something!

xelous · 30/05/2023 13:42

apple.news/AW8gG0k5SRp6sm5b0z79mLg

This article details a similar situation

Soapboxqueen · 30/05/2023 13:43

Bbqlady · 30/05/2023 13:41

@PinkConsoleGamer @Soapboxqueen thanks for your input. This is what I was worried about! I’m not sure if it’s oversubscribed I would have to check. I don’t have school aged kids.

If it isn't oversubscribed (eg they still have spaces now) then your friend can still get a place there even if you correct the address issue.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 30/05/2023 13:46

I'm not sure I understand the ins and outs but if someone has used your address for a school application when they don't live with you, you can write to the council's admissions team and let them know.

I did this once (against howls of outrage on MN that I was dobbing someone in). Slightly different circs but pretending they lived at A when they lived at B further away from desirable school. The council did follow up and the child's place was withdrawn.

Original poster

Bbqlady · 30/05/2023 13:53

DelurkingAJ · 30/05/2023 13:42

We had to provide council tax bills (copies) with our offer acceptance. If they’ve forged that then I think you may have to say/do something!

@DelurkingAJ oh yeah if they’ve done that then I will definitely take action! i would be really surprised by this, I get the sense this was done without any thought of implications. It looks like there isn’t a set standard for checking though so I really don’t know yet.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bbqlady · 30/05/2023 13:55

@Soapboxqueen if that was the case then I guess they would have used their own address to start with though? I am hoping they haven’t done something really nefarious

OP posts:

LIZS · 30/05/2023 13:56

Do you have children of school age or due to apply? It might flag your application for scrutiny if there are any checks run.

Original poster

Bbqlady · 30/05/2023 13:57

Not of school age yet but yes this was exactly my worry!

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IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 30/05/2023 14:01

Our local authority cross references with their council tax register. We are right on the county boundary, fraudulent applications happen a lot!!

Charmatt · 30/05/2023 14:03

In our LA, addresses are only checked if someone makes an allegation of fraud. Parents have to show proof of address when registering, but that is so that the information on the school data management system is correct. Please don't assume that that is linked with checking that they received their offer of a place fairly.

If you apply for a place in the future, an anomaly may flag in the system because the address is already listed. At that point the Admissions team and the school may communicate, to clarify addresses.

You would be wise to flag this now. You can do it anonymously if necessary, but it would make the investigation much quicker if you told them you were the homeowner and were living at the address - The LA cannot pass your name on.

1stWorldProblems · 30/05/2023 14:11

Children where I work are offered a place electronically by Admissions Dept at Council level. We then ask for proof of address (Council Tax bill or utilities - not mobile phone) and birth certificates when the parents bring in their application form (after they've technically accepted the place with Admissions). It's a low birth rate year so the majority of schools won't be oversubscribed.

cannaecookrisotto · 30/05/2023 14:21

It might cause you some headaches further down the line when you get to applying for your own kids.

If you're not prepared to dob them in, I'd tell the person they have 4 weeks from date of school offer confirmation to inform the school that they have moved address and you want proof they have done so.

It really annoys me this because some poor child might lose out who also lives in the catchment because of lying fuckers.

MrTiddlesTheCat · 30/05/2023 14:24

What makes you think they've used your address?

MuffinToSeeHere · 30/05/2023 14:36

MrTiddlesTheCat · 30/05/2023 14:24

What makes you think they've used your address?

This was the first thing I wondered too. If they haven't told you they have done this I don't understand how it came to light or how you'd be aware of it?

Is this information you've been given from a shared acquaintance or something if so I'd be querying it's accuracy. It seems very bizarre that they would use your address it's a heck of lie to maintain and you'd find out soon enough when the paperwork was sent to your address.

Hellno45 · 30/05/2023 14:51

I had to provide evidence at application including birth certificate and council tax bill. On acceptance I had to give the school a copy of birth certificate and 2 x utility bills. How do you know she used your address?

MaverickSnoopy · 30/05/2023 14:58

The only time we had to provide evidence was when we were moving house and we needed a letter from our solicitor to confirm we'd exchanged as we were moving out of catchment. With subsequent admissions we have never had to provide evidence.

GladysHeeler · 30/05/2023 14:58

My BIL used his mums address for a application for a reception place. My niece was already at the school in the nursery.

One of the parents who didn't get a place could see with her own eyes that BIL was picking my niece up in a car and put two and two together.

She reported it to the LEA who wrote to BIL asking for proof that he lived there which he could not provide.

The place was withdrawn and then they had no place at all and had to take what was left.

But...they wouldn't have got caught if the other parent hadn't reported it.

Original poster

Bbqlady · 30/05/2023 15:03

I’ve had a letter which is how I’ve fallen in. I can’t go too much in to the relationship as I’d like to keep this as anon as possible but there are other people involved in this little plan.

OP posts:

LIZS · 30/05/2023 15:10

It is hardly sustainable for all school related correspondence to go to yours though. I assume it is family related and maybe a more convenient school for childcare or work.

Lilbunnyfufu · 30/05/2023 15:13

DelurkingAJ · 30/05/2023 13:42

We had to provide council tax bills (copies) with our offer acceptance. If they’ve forged that then I think you may have to say/do something!

We didn't have to provide the council tax letter but they did ask for our council tax reference on the form.

CoralBells · 30/05/2023 15:16

When I applied (Pan London but in Surrey) I had to add the council tax reference number when applying online. With dd2 they contacted me after applications closed to say I hadn't added it (I thought I had) so I gave them it and they said not to worry my application would still be treated as "before deadline." Dd2 is 16 now so could have changed since.

MuffinToSeeHere · 30/05/2023 15:21

Bbqlady · 30/05/2023 15:03

I’ve had a letter which is how I’ve fallen in. I can’t go too much in to the relationship as I’d like to keep this as anon as possible but there are other people involved in this little plan.

So the school have contacted you at the address with a letter addressed to the parent of this child. I'm guessing this is a relation of yours?

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