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What happens if we move after a school applications close?

3 replies

Somethingsgotthagive · 15/04/2024 15:49

We need to apply for a school place between September and Jan. We are planning to also buy a house in that same period, ideally in the same location so we won't be moving to a completely new area but likely to be near a different primary school to the one we have down the road now (and that we hope we can get in). So my question is, if we apply this autumn and then end up moving after having applied, what happens then? Do we need to declare the fact that we no longer live in that address, even though it is the same area? And does it mean we will no longer be granted a place in the current school but will be forced to switch to another one?

All houses within our budget seem to be near a school that hasn't go a great reputation whereas our current address would mean DC could get into a lovely primary. We are renting so keen to get on the ladder asap.

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prh47bridge · 15/04/2024 16:48

If you move after offers have been made, you can accept whatever school has been offered. They can't take your place away just because you move. However, despite the fact that the Admissions Code doesn't allow them to take your place away, some councils attempt to do so, forcing parents to appeal in order to keep the place that is rightfully theirs.

What happens if you move between applying and offers being made depends on your LA. There is no universal rule, I'm afraid.

whenallelse · 16/04/2024 13:41

In my local authority, if they offer you a place based on an address you no longer live at, they take the place away

prh47bridge · 16/04/2024 14:41

whenallelse · 16/04/2024 13:41

In my local authority, if they offer you a place based on an address you no longer live at, they take the place away

If someone moves after offer day and they remove the place, they are acting unlawfully unless there is evidence that the application was fraudulent or deliberately misleading (e.g. the parent applied from a rented address whilst owning a home nearby). Anyone who has a place removed in this way should be able to get it back by appealing.

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