Page 2 | Deferring school until a place comes up

LondonMumBB · 2025-05-08T14:20:16+00:00

My child was offered a place at a school I really don’t want her to go to. As we are in Hackney, I know there is a lot of movement with people moving out of the area etc so I’m hoping a place will come up at one of the better schools at some point. Is it possible to home school my child and remain on the waiting list until a place comes up?

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OhSusannah25 · 08/05/2025 19:15

LondonMumBB · 08/05/2025 16:49

Thanks, she only recently turned 4.

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You have almost a year to wait for a decent school place. Your DD will miss out on early phonics and numeracy, though.

Original poster

LondonMumBB · 08/05/2025 19:52

BoleynMemories13 · 08/05/2025 19:11

I wouldn't reject it yet, keep your options open until September.

If you are sure you want to home educate until a space at your preferred school becomes available that's fine, but you definitely don't need to waste money on a tutor for a 4 year old. Join some EYFS groups on social media and you'll find loads of lovely ideas to help her learn though play. That's all she needs right now, lots of play. Read to her regularly, talk to her lots. Don't waste time on boring workbooks, especially for maths as they don't actually help children to learn concepts. Writing out 2+2=4 (for example) means nothing. Playing with physical objects helps children to visualise amounts (subitise) and work out how many there are altogether when learning addition/subtraction etc, without even realising they're learning. Play gives maths meaning.

Phonics can be researched online, and there are lots of helpful apps out there. Tutors are completely unnecessary at this age and would likely be unnecessarily formal.

Your child will meet children from the kind of families you describe wherever they go though. Writing off a school (and with it the kids who go there, most of whom are likely lovely despite their backgrounds) for those reasons is very sad.

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Thank you, I don’t like very formal education at this age so I agree with your advice re learning through play.

As for the school, I regularly see kids from maybe year 1 or 2 in the playground, swearing and calling each other terrible names and I don’t want my daughter to be exposed to that.

I think the fact that they always seem to have vacancies shows how unpopular the school is.

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ButterflySkies · 08/05/2025 20:22

Sounds similar to the school im trying to avoid! We did get good news today on waiting lists so im hoping it self resolves…! It’s a horrible feeling, and unfortunately some early years settings arent that pleasant. Keep me posted on how you get on, and sending a hug x

Original poster

LondonMumBB · 08/05/2025 20:26

ButterflySkies · 08/05/2025 20:22

Sounds similar to the school im trying to avoid! We did get good news today on waiting lists so im hoping it self resolves…! It’s a horrible feeling, and unfortunately some early years settings arent that pleasant. Keep me posted on how you get on, and sending a hug x

Oh that’s good, do you mean you got offered a place or are you high up on the list? We should find out tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted.

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stichguru · 08/05/2025 20:49

Certainly you can chose to HE. I would keep her on the waiting list at your preferred school. If you want to you could ask to defer the year, but then she will have to go into year 1 have missed reception which would not be ideal as she will have missed out on those early friendships and also you might not have kept up with everything she would have learnt.

I would see if you can find other HE parents as they might well have tips and also meet ups and so a chance for her to interact with kids her own age. I would really think hard though about how long you are prepared to hold out for a place. Do you want to hold out for as long as it takes? A few months?

AuditAngel · 08/05/2025 21:38

Dreichweather · 08/05/2025 17:40

With her month of birth she would start in her age appropriate academic year, so year 1 if after Sept 2026 and she would only be able to join if there is a space.

You need to check the if the school admission criteria apply to the list, it usually does. It means someone who joins the list after your child maybe placed higher up.

Not necessarily. This used to be the case, if you deferred then you joined the same cohort in year 1. My sister deferred her twins who were born late August, but premature. They started school a year later but still in reception, where they would have been if born at term.

QueenofFox · 08/05/2025 21:42

I'm in the area and it's a super high sibling year (which some are saying because of Covid, people had siblings closer together). I know there's 30 - half the year in some of the N16 schools so I would say it's unlikely spaces will come up soon. Reception in all the schools are lovely so I would do that for school readiness and to get her into the routine ahead of a potential move in yr1 or even 2.

Dreichweather · 08/05/2025 21:55

AuditAngel · 08/05/2025 21:38

Not necessarily. This used to be the case, if you deferred then you joined the same cohort in year 1. My sister deferred her twins who were born late August, but premature. They started school a year later but still in reception, where they would have been if born at term.

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Yes, I know. I have done this with my own children but this only applies to summer born children (born between 1st May and 31st August) and OP’s child was born before May.

BangersAndGnash · 08/05/2025 22:00

OP as well as being on the waiting lists for your higher preference schools you can also now apply / go on the waiting list for any other school you would consider.

pjani · 08/05/2025 22:03

There are large numbers of vacancies across London due to people moving out during covid and a drop in the birthrate. Are you sure you’ve exhausted all local good schools, even in neighbouring boroughs? I bet at least half of Hackney’s primaries have vacancies. Have you called the council admissions officer or asked for a list of all schools with vacancies? And done the same for neighbouring boroughs, if travel is realistic?

Reception can be such a fantastic year, they play, they learn, I think it’s worth double checking you’ve exhausted all good options first.

Original poster

LondonMumBB · 08/05/2025 22:13

QueenofFox · 08/05/2025 21:42

I'm in the area and it's a super high sibling year (which some are saying because of Covid, people had siblings closer together). I know there's 30 - half the year in some of the N16 schools so I would say it's unlikely spaces will come up soon. Reception in all the schools are lovely so I would do that for school readiness and to get her into the routine ahead of a potential move in yr1 or even 2.

Yup, most of our choices are in N16 and sibling numbers are deffo high!

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Dreichweather · 08/05/2025 22:16

@AuditAngel sorry I think my message may come across as a know it all and dismissive. I wasn’t aiming for that.

I would always encourage parents of summer born children to defer as I belief it’s benifical for them all.

Original poster

LondonMumBB · 08/05/2025 22:16

pjani · 08/05/2025 22:03

There are large numbers of vacancies across London due to people moving out during covid and a drop in the birthrate. Are you sure you’ve exhausted all local good schools, even in neighbouring boroughs? I bet at least half of Hackney’s primaries have vacancies. Have you called the council admissions officer or asked for a list of all schools with vacancies? And done the same for neighbouring boroughs, if travel is realistic?

Reception can be such a fantastic year, they play, they learn, I think it’s worth double checking you’ve exhausted all good options first.

Ive probably not exhausted all the options tbh. I sort of assumed that anywhere that has vacancies isn’t v popular and therefore not great. We’ve looked at some private options in the Islington/Highbury area so we wouldn’t mind travelling. Does anyone know of any good schools in Islington/highbury or towards King’s Cross? Those are all easily accessible for us.

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BoleynMemories13 · 08/05/2025 22:23

LondonMumBB · 08/05/2025 19:52

Thank you, I don’t like very formal education at this age so I agree with your advice re learning through play.

As for the school, I regularly see kids from maybe year 1 or 2 in the playground, swearing and calling each other terrible names and I don’t want my daughter to be exposed to that.

I think the fact that they always seem to have vacancies shows how unpopular the school is.

Edited

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Whilst I totally understand your feelings, my point is you won't be able to avoid her being exposed to swearing, whatever school you send her to. Judge a school on their ability to teach, rather than the ability of the local parents to parents. You'll get 'undesirables' everywhere I'm afraid. If it's your local school, she'll be growing up in that environment wherever you end up sending her to school. They'll be the children she sees at the park etc.

Learning to mix with people who are different to you is a life lesson. You can still bring a child up with morals, despite them attending school with children who are not set the same good example at home. We do not use those words in our home is all it needs.

I do understand your feelings, I really do, but I think you're naive to think she won't be exposed to such language at your preferred school.

BoleynMemories13 · 08/05/2025 22:28

Oh and you're very wrong to assume anywhere that has vacancies isn't a good school. The birth rate is falling. Many many great schools currently have vacancies. Very few schools in my town, and the town I work in, are full for next year. I would happily send my child to many of them. Every area is different, of course, but "they have vacancies so that means they can't be very Good' isn't a great theory to go on. Visit anywhere local to you with vacancies. Make your mind up from first hand experience, rather than assumptions.

Saracen · 09/05/2025 02:01

In most areas there are plenty of home ed get-togethers, so there's no need for your daughter to be lonely! Most home ed groups are on Facebook and you should be able to find them via the FB search bar. Here's one for Islington, for example: https://www.facebook.com/groups/508847254224322/

Another option would be to keep her in her current nursery a bit longer, if you think she'd continue to be happy there. She should be able to stay and will remain eligible for the early years funding until she reaches "Compulsory School Age" at the start of summer term 2026. If you are interested in doing that, tell the nursery. They will assume she is starting school as soon as she's eligible, so her place there might get filled if you don't let them know you want her to stay on.

Original poster

LondonMumBB · 09/05/2025 09:35

Saracen · 09/05/2025 02:01

In most areas there are plenty of home ed get-togethers, so there's no need for your daughter to be lonely! Most home ed groups are on Facebook and you should be able to find them via the FB search bar. Here's one for Islington, for example: https://www.facebook.com/groups/508847254224322/

Another option would be to keep her in her current nursery a bit longer, if you think she'd continue to be happy there. She should be able to stay and will remain eligible for the early years funding until she reaches "Compulsory School Age" at the start of summer term 2026. If you are interested in doing that, tell the nursery. They will assume she is starting school as soon as she's eligible, so her place there might get filled if you don't let them know you want her to stay on.

Thank you! I’ve asked to be added to some fb groups. She’s not attending nursery at the moment so that is not an option unfortunately.

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Original poster

LondonMumBB · 09/05/2025 09:35

I’ve just been told that she’s 19 on the list for our preferred school. The intake is 60. Does anyone know if it is realistic we would get a spot eventually with that position on the list?

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Original poster

LondonMumBB · 09/05/2025 09:36

I shall add were like 70/80 on the other waiting lists 🤦🏻‍♀️

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urbanbuddha · 09/05/2025 09:53

Not for September, I wouldn’t have thought, but I’m guessing.
The people who’ll know will be the school. Phone them and ask what previous years have been like. Stay on the waiting list and check in with the school at least once a term so they know you’re still interested.

As others have said it’s probably a good idea to take the place in the offered school, at least for reception.
If I’m understanding correctly the school she’s been offered is rated outstanding by Ofsted for behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years provision. It really doesn’t sound bad.

Original poster

LondonMumBB · 09/05/2025 10:07

urbanbuddha · 09/05/2025 09:53

Not for September, I wouldn’t have thought, but I’m guessing.
The people who’ll know will be the school. Phone them and ask what previous years have been like. Stay on the waiting list and check in with the school at least once a term so they know you’re still interested.

As others have said it’s probably a good idea to take the place in the offered school, at least for reception.
If I’m understanding correctly the school she’s been offered is rated outstanding by Ofsted for behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years provision. It really doesn’t sound bad.

Edited

Thank you, we are considering all options but just worried about moving her mid year hence why we’re strongly considering home ed. I found out she’s number 8 on another out of borough school (they have 60 places). Is that more realistic would you say?

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urbanbuddha · 09/05/2025 10:13

I would think so. Turnover is fairly high in London atm. Not definite but more hopeful.

In your position I’d go back to the offered school for another look. Ofsted reports are definitely not written on tablets of stone but it would be very unusual for a dire school to be rated outstanding in 3 categories and good in all others.

LondonMumBB · 09/05/2025 10:18

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TheNightingalesStarling · 09/05/2025 10:25

With a Feb birthday, she will need to be in education (including home education) by Easter next year. So you can keep your school place, and say she will be starting at Easter rather than September.

Look at further away schools that have places.

pjani · 10/05/2025 22:08

Have you looked at the ‘compare school performance’ government website? Put Islington in as the borough and click primary school.

I used to order from highest to lowest achieving the high scores on everything and if it is 20% or more, I think that is a pretty good score.

You can also look for the % meeting expectations (80%+ seemed good to me).

If those schools also have good or outstanding ratings, you read the report and it sounds good, call the school and see if there are places. I am sure there are plenty of Islington schools meeting those criteria with spaces due to the reduced birth rate and falling school rolls.