Moving older siblings primary after doing younger child’s reception application

[LaceyAnne]

We have recently decided to move our year 4 child to another primary school having done an in year application. However, we have done put younger child application for reception for the current school and we are past the deadline of changing to the new school.
does anyone know the best way to try and either get the application changed or the best option for changing the preference once the reception place is offered?
is it easier to accept the place and put on contained interest? Or do I reject and re apply for new school or do I accept and add a new preferred.
finding it so confusing.
we do live very close to the new school and also for the reception child by then we will have a sibling there.
thank you for your help

Thank you.
I think based on the risk of loosing the original application place if I do a late application (as this deleted the original) then I think my best bet is going to be continue with current application, move our elder child, let LA know that we will have the sibling connection and then go on continued interest after round 1.

he is at the nursery of the first application school anyway currently so worse case, if we have to wait on the list for a while at least he is somehwere familiar until he gets in.

im praying it’s doesn’t get that far and there is movement on second round and he gets in on sibling.

just such a hard decision as we were past all the deadlines literally by 3 days when we decided to move the eldest.

just want them both at the same school with just one drop off and pick up.

I agree that you should not switchto a late application now, but you can find out a couple of things which should help to put your mind at rest.

Your LA should tell you if in September last year there was a waiting list for your prefered school, or if they all got a place by start of term.
They shoudl be able to tell you if the current reception class is at capacity ( itis called being at PAN) that will tell you if this school is oversubscribed with a long list, or if it usually manages to offer places to all.

I think enough people have told you already that yes, there is a chance, even with a very local two form entry school, that a late application will not get an offer.

A few multiple births, a couple of LAC, a child or two with the school named on their statement, a big cluster of siblings and the number of places available are suddenly reduced as those applications - as well as all the other in time applications - would take preference over your late application.

And sadly being in the Nursery does not count as a criteria any school I know.

Do as others have advised. Keep the original application, you will most likely get a place which means you HAVE a confirmed place for September. When the waiting lists open apply for the preferred school, but of course hang on to the offered place until a new place is confirmed.

For your older child do the in year application. If it is unsuccessful you can make another in year application in September, most authorities only allow one a year. Go on the waiting list for that place.

If your younger child gets a place this might help in an appeal for the older place if that was needed.

If either child gets a place at the preferred school then the others place on the waiting list will improve if they have a sibling criteria.

But the important thing is keep the original application open !!!!!!