How to mid year admissions work?

[Lizbiz89]

I've just applied for a mid year transfer to another school for my children. They have limited spaces so told us to apply quickly which we did. I was wondering if anyone can explain how the process works and if we had applied today (Friday) when we would expect to hear?

Sorry meant to say How Do Mid Year Admissions Work*

Have you applied to the LA for a place in “any school in the borough except the one your children are currently in,” or are you applying for a specific school!

I assume it is a specific school, so how long it will be will depend on if there are currently places available in the respective year groups. If there are it should happen very quickly, and the school will not want to hold places open so be prepared to move fast. I have known a phone call on Friday to start Monday, which I think is too short personally, means both schools are rushed, especially the receiving school with no time to prepare things to welcome a new child.

If there are no places you will either have to accept another school, go on the waiting list, appeal if it is a Y3 or above, which of course will take longer.

But the fact is some LA are a lot more efficient than others and will turn applications round in a matter of days, while others are a lot less efficient.

( School census day was on the 3rd and returns have to be in by the 30th so you have probably missed those deadlines, which won’t put a smile on the new schools face.)

Thank you for this response. There are currently spaces (albeit very limited) in the school we have applied for. We have only applied for one school so fingers crossed we get accepted. Very lovely school.

If it is a state school and there are spaces and no other children on the waiting list for those spaces then uncross your fingers, because legally they have to offer it to the first person applying, so if that is you, then the place/s are yours.

I've done this. In our situation the LEA contacted the school and the school rang me about three days later. Dd and I went over that afternoon and she got a tour and I bought a jumper and she started the next day.

They have to give you a place if they have one. Then you accept it and the place is yours. Then they need to start otherwise you are in the whole unauthorised absence situation.

Thank you for the responses. Only dubious because my son's year only has 1 space and they didn't tell us if anyone had applied so that's why I was unsure. The school said they'd be happy for the kids to start after Easter if they get accepted so we will see.

After Easter? Surely you mean after half term?

Yes I meant half term. Sorry, discussing Easter with family earlier 🤣

@viques sorry to ask you another question but you seem very knowledgeable on the subject. Do you know what happens if there are 2 applications but only one space? Does the school or the LA have the final say?

It will go on the waiting list ie. Ordered by admissions criteria. Surprised any school will offer a post Easter start, normally you have max half term to take the place up.

Thanks. I said Easter by mistake. I meant half term. I mean how do they decide between the two applicants? Is it purely down to who lives closer to the school?

It will depend on the admissions criteria, might be lac/ehcp, faith, siblings, distance and so on

@LIZS ok thank you.

Wouldn't it be simply who applied first for a in year admission?

They have to give you a place if they have one.

So if your application is submitted at 9am you are allocated the place.

If someone else applies at 9.05am then there isn't a place anymore.

It should be first come first served. If a space exists then the LA is legally obliged to offer it to the first applicant. Normal admissions criteria should not apply. So if applications are dealt with by the LA then it will be the first application they accept , not a verbal agreement with the school.

I am not sure what happens in the case of schools who administer their own applications, I imagine the same thing will apply, the school accepts the first comer, but haven’t experienced this.

Hope you get good news soon.

@viques thank you for your help. We got offered the places this afternoon 😊. Very quick turn around.

That’s great news! I hope they settle in quickly.