Moving area just before Reception start

[ThisSharpNavyRaven]

Wondered if anyone's been in this position and could offer some advice because I'm becoming really anxious! We are mid-house purchase and it's looking like we will complete mid-August. My 4 year old is due to start school in September and obviously has a place at our current local primary. I've done a change of preference application for the best primary local to the new property, but we are 8th on the waiting list (it's a 120 cohort school). We will most likely jump up the waiting list once we have our new address as it's v close to the school and distance is their top criteria after siblings.

I'm so torn about whether to start him at the school he currently has a place at (which would involve an annoying 15 minute drive for school pick up twice a day or 30 mins public transport), or whether to hold out for a place at the school local to the new house. He won't be compulsory school age until Jan 2025 so I could just keep him at home and hope that a place has come up by then. Of course if the whole house move falls through/we aren't in the new house by Sept that adds another layer of complication! Fully chain free purchase though so I'm hoping not.

He's a very 'with it' child who is really aware of starting school and where he's going, so I've been honest with him and he's done settling/transition days at both schools.

What would you do? Which would be least disruptive to him? I know there's always lots of movement in Reception classes, especially in London where we are. The new school admissions team are being very supportive and reassuring about a place coming up over the summer, but it's horrible being in this limbo.

Sorry for the essay... Thanks for any advice! Obviously I know it's not an ideal time to move (if that's going to be anyone's advice) but my thinking is the earlier the better in terms of his education and we really do need to do this move at some point!

it's very good that you are honest with him and I find that's best policy even children at this age.

Personally I would leave him at nursery (it's costly but at least provide continuety) and keep the current school space by deferring his start day based on his age. Should the house you purchase goes through and fingers crossed that you will be on top of the waiting list and a space comes up in the new space, then you can go. Otherwise, if the house sale falls through then you will probably want to start the school he currently got a space.

It's never easy with the school issue.

Hi, we're in the same situation but as we're buying via auction there's not the worry of it falling through. DS1 is also starting reception but is 5 in October so really needs to start at the beginning of term. Fortunately there is space for him at the village school so I've been driving him to settling in sessions and he'll be starting in September. The house needs a lot of work though so hopefully it will be livable by then!

I've been honest with him and he's done settling/transition days at both schools.

I'm surprised he was allowed to do a transition day at the new school as they're usually for those with a confirmed space.

You say he's on the waiting list for one school, what about others in the new area? I would look at other schools closer to the potential new house and also add his name. You'll hopefully know by mid August if you will be in the new area, and looking at other schools mean you're more likely to have a place there if you move.

I'm surprised he was allowed to do a transition day at the new school as they're usually for those with a confirmed space.

I was intrigued by this, as well.

Would also echo the advice re applying for other schools local to the intended new home.

@Whinge yes, like I said the admissions team at the new school have been very supportive and seem confident that a space will come up by September. Only problem was that they obviously don't know what class he'd go into so he had to meet all 4 teachers. Obviously a bit confusing for him to do both transition days but he does understand the situation.

I've definitely thought about adding him to the list for other schools in the new area but there's actually not that many options, and the next nearest school I would definitely not be happy with him attending (terrible Ofsted, very poor end of KS2 results, didn't like my tour). There is another good one but with a huge waiting list.

Thanks everyone for the advice! It's so tricky. I keep telling myself that it's hard now but in a few months we'll know either way, and this will be our house for the rest of the kids' life, so I won't have this worry again! Feel bad for him being the eldest that he has to be the one with the unsettling start to school though. Luckily I think he will love school so hopefully once he does start he will settle quite quickly.

That’s difficult as keeping him home probably won’t be that fun for him but a commute won’t be fun for either of you - plus he’ll have to leave all the new friends he’ll make. Are any of his old friends from nursery going to be at the current school for reception? If so, that might make it worth it just to keep a bit of continuity and to keep him learning and engaged while you wait. But it sounds likely that it will work out with the new school before September, and either way, if he's a confident 'with it' kid, he'll be totally fine.

Sorry to add on to this - does anyone know what primary schools do with their waiting lists once term has started? I've seen a couple of things about having to re-apply after Aug 31st. At the moment their waiting list is managed by the Local Authority and they have no access to it, but I do know that for in-year transfers schools have a bit more say about whether to accept a new child.

Wondering if I'll have more of a chance if the waiting list re-sets in September, as the school certainly seem very invested in the fact we will be going there, even though there are a few children above us on the list.

Start at the school you have a place and then move when able

That could be year 1 or after Xmas

The school's admissions policy and the local authority's website should give the answer. If the school is under LA control, the waiting list will continue to be held and managed by the LA. If it's an academy or a voluntary aided school, then the management of the waiting list may still rest with the LA but more likely will be held by the school. To comply with the Admissions Code, the waiting list has to be maintained in oversubscription criteria order, and at least until December 31st.

@MarchingFrogs many thanks, that's very useful information!