Should we appeal?

[IrisApril]

We are moving house (only up the road) to a place with a lovely village school. They have space for our youngest to start Yr 2 in September, but our elder daughter going into Yr 5, they don’t have any space. She is at the top of the waiting list, but so far no movement.

When we toured the school, the headteacher was really lovely but she basically said please don’t appeal because it costs the school money. And hinted that there should be some movement at some point.

I just phoned up again and still no movement, so we are facing the prospect of driving the children to two different primary schools come September. We both work full time and only one of us drives, so it’s going to be very difficult (although we will have to manage it somehow with busses/breakfast club/help from grandparents who live 2+hrs away).

Would you appeal? I don’t want to lose out on the goodwill of the headteacher and school, or start off on the wrong foot. But on the other hand, it’s going to make our life very difficult, she is a sibling (or will be from September), and there are only 30 children in Yr 4/5. I know that legally for KS2 they are allowed to go to 31 - the headteacher just doesn’t want to. She is a very quiet and well behaved child so I know she’d be no bother!!

Help! I am conflicted.

This will be a pain, but most of this will remain a pain until you move, as you will still need to get the bus to the village and back, even if your eldest does get a place. I would focus on trying to pass your driving test or seeing if there are any current local parents who would be happy to help you out once a week or so with your eldest.

I'm not sure where you got that legally they can have 31 at KS2? It's not a strict limit of 30 anymore, but most schools do still cap at 30 per class unless there are exceptional circumstances. I wouldn't appeal just on 'it's more convenient and a better school'. You usually need more of an argument than that. You might be lucky and a family may move over the summer. I guess the challenge is it sounds like a mixed class, so possibly only 15 in your DDs year, so not many for someone to leave.

When are you moving? If in the next few weeks then get your youngest into the new school before the end of the summer term and apply with the new address and sibling priority for the eldest straight away.

@BendingSpoons A school would admit over 30 (if that’s the class size based on pan) for ks2 if dc is looked after and a echp naming the school. They have no obligation to go over pan and class size at ks2 could be less than 30 based on pan.

Year 2 in September are all pandemic babies, which is a small year group nationwide. If you hold off on starting your youngest daughter and keep both kids in their old primary school, that space is unlikely to go away. (Though you do risk your other daughter losing her space at the top of the waiting list if she isn't a sibling - you'd need to look at the criteria).
I agree with previous posters though - if a space comes up it's likely to be in September.

@IrisApril if she's at the top of the waiting list at present but you have neither moved nor started her sibling there yet, there's a good chance there's no one else on the list at present!

She is a very quiet and well behaved child so I know she’d be no bother!!

This is - as it should be - irrelevant.

Can you make the juggle work for a month? With the bus, your parents, your DH taking a bit of leave? As it sounds like things will be easier if you pass your driving test at the end of September.