Moving schools but reception class full

[wombpaloumpba]

DS1 is moving schools next week, this is due to him consistently finding the current very large school noisy and stressful, so moving him to a smaller, calmer school where I think he will be more able to thrive.

DS2 has a place for reception in sept at DS1’s old school. He is on the waiting list for the new school.
there is one other child on this list. The head has eluded she may be able to get him in on sibling priority but couldn’t promise and it’s obviously down to the admissions team also.

Just wondered how likely it is DS2 will get in?
Dreading the logistics of 2 children at different schools (about 2.5 miles apart).

It relies on at least one child withdrawing. Dc2 won’t be a sibling until ds1 starts, so may move to no.1 then but that cannot override Infant Class Size restrictions.

They won't be able to 'get him in' under any circumstances if they are full, due to infant class sizes being capped to PAN. Whatever their published PAN, they can't exceed that. What the headteacher will have meant is your son will likely move to 1st on the waiting list once his brother starts, due to sibling priority, and therefore is more likely to get a place as you only need one to drop out.

None of us can say how likely that is to happen though. I'm in a very transient area where people move all the time. Our list for Reception changes on each round of allocations each year, with some moving on and others moving in to the area. It will change numerous times before September. Whereas at a previous village school I use to work at, it was very rare for people to move.

It will be awkward for you to get them both to different schools, but you made this decision. I understand your reasons for wanting to move him, but there may have been other smaller schools who could have accepted both. Really, it should have been researched properly before obtaining and accepting DS1's place. The awkwardness cannot be used as a reason for appeal, as you've put yourself in this situation. Does either school have wrap around care? I hope so for your sake, as you'll have to rely on this until DS2 gets a place in order to get them both to school on time. If they both do, maybe one could do breakfast club and one after school club to spread out drop off and pick up times?

Yes that is true. They do both have the option of wrap around care. I actually did research a few schools and it was hard to find one with room for my eldest in year 1. Originally we were hoping to move to a different area for next year but we haven’t been able to sell our house, we had someone withdraw an offer which meant changing schools has been more last minute than I would have wanted it to be. Thanks for your advice

Know a family who were in a similar situation. The younger child was in the same school by Christmas so a bit of a pain but worked out in the end. It will happen for you it’s just how soon.

He will likely move to the top
of the waiting list if the other child doesn’t have a sibling (or other criteria from admissions policy).

Also be aware, if another child want the place, who also has a sibling in the school, but who lives closer then they will take priority over whoever is already on the waiting list. I won’t worry you by saying what will happen if this mythical child turns out to be twins!

But don’t worry, plenty of time for movement, some of the children could well be offered a place at a school which was higher up on their preference list and decide to take it which will nudge things along.