Is it okay to move house now 5 months after the primary school deadline?

[babyq2456]

So we're obviously in June now and my little one is due to start reception in September.
We were living at the house we applied for schools near in January and submitted all the proof etc. She got her place in a good school but since about a week ago we have been living with my parents until we get a new place and will likely be with them for a couple of months.

I didn't realise they do a home visit so was worrying that they would have an issue that we are now no longer at that address? Or does that not matter anymore?

Well it’s not great but it sounds like you’ve already done it?

@nootropiccoffee 2 years we were there for. I didn't think there was rules about not being able to move now?

@berksandbeyond ah really, I was concerned they would take back the place but we were genuinely living at that address up until a week ago

You need to check your council website but in this example your place would be withdrawn https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/school-places/guidance/moving-house-during-an-allocation-round/. If you tell us the council someone may be able to give more specific advice

They have to believe the application was fraudulent. If for example your landlord gave you notice... thats not fraud.
If you were moving back to a previous address you had... potentially fraudulent.

If you have proof that’s where you were living that should be fine.
Also remember you don’t have to have the home visit, it’s not compulsory.

So did you apply to that school knowing that you wouldn’t be living at the address when she starts in September?

You will need to update your address if there's any chance of post from them. I think they may well withdraw her place if you don't move back into catchment quickly.

The thing to remember here...
You have to use your current address on a school application.
If you move before a certain date in the process, they can update your address
You are after that date (which is February) so you had to use the old address
They can only withdraw if your application was fraudulent
So due to the lack of any other address... you applied correctly and were allocated a place based on that application

@Nopetynoppy no not at all. It's only been a very recent thing

@PuttingDownRoots thats what I thought haha but now people are making me doubt it. We were at that address for 2 years and only within the last couple of weeks have started to move in with my parents.

@NewLifter I have had emails from them and already been to the school for a reception meeting a month ago but recieved an email about the home visit so thats what the concern was now

@DarkForces thanks, it is Barnet

Why have you moved? Do you intend to move back into the cattchement?

They might. You no longer live in the area and if you k ew this was going to be the case then they may take the offer back.

They cannot, legally, remove your place simply because you move. That is against the admissions code, which has the force of law. Some LAs may try, but I would I expect any place lost this way to be given back at an appeal.

What they can do, is remove the place if they believe the place was obtained fraudulently; that the address you used was not your child's permanent residence at the time, or the address was merely an address of convenience/rented for a short period just to get into the school. Assuming you own no other property and the address was yours for 2 years pre application, that seems unlikely.

If your reasons for moving are genuine and you can prove you lived there at the time of application you'll be absolutely fine. People move all the time. The school place has been allocated fairly based on true information at the time, you are free to live wherever you like after that as long as the reasons are genuine. They're not going to suddenly take it away just because someone on the waiting list may now live closer.

I've done many home visits before where the family have only just moved to that address. Just make sure you do keep the school updated so they have your correct address as I've also been there where we're knocking on a door, with no answer, only to ring them and be told "oh yeah, we now live at ....". Not the best way to start your relationship with the school by sending staff on a wild goose chance to find you so definitely make sure they're informed.

All looks good according to pages 15/16 here https://www.barnet.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-09/023809%20-%20BC3964%20-%20BARNET%20Guide%20to%20Primary%202024%20_WEB_.pdf

We moved in the May. Had to provide proof we were genuine...council tax and utility bills that backed up the time line. It was absolutely fine and we kept the school place.

@Concernedfriend2023 Ah okay so did you let the council know? Or was it through the school

@BoleynMemories13 ah thankyou. Are you a teacher? That is reassuring to hear haha.

Agree with @PatriciaHolm

Sadly, there are some councils that try it on and automatically take places away when people move. Some even publicise the fact in their admission arrangements. But a place can only be removed if the application was fraudulent or deliberately misleading.

I helped a parent a few years ago when a council in London withdrew her child's primary school place after she was forced to move from the property she was renting. The council tried to argue that this meant her application was deliberately misleading, despite clear evidence that she had been forced to move and had not had advanced warning. I pointed out to the appeal panel that she could not have applied from her new address as, at the time applications closed, she had no association with that address. The address where she was living was the only address she could use. The appeal panel returned the place.

I do wonder how many parents have places removed unlawfully each year and, because they don't know the system, don't appeal.