How can we get DD2 into DD1 and DSDs school????

[bratnav]

We are moving city (this week) so we can have joint residency of DSD. We are moving very close to her school/Mums house especially for this reason. We have managed to get DD1 a place in year 2, but there are no spaces so far in Reception for DD2. (DSD is in Reception).

The school receptionist is now practically DPs bit on the side they talk so much, and she seems to like him a lot, and has promised that if a space becomes available it's ours. We have applied to the council for a space but despite much chasing we have not heard back from them, not even an offer of an alternative school.

What do we do?

How large a school is it? It sounds as if you would definitely be top of the list but you have to wait until a space comes up. They do, bizarrely more regularly than you might think. But it is a waiting game. The bad news is that you're probably about a month too late as the most changes happen at the start of this term.

If you are happy with an alternative school for her then the council should have to come up with something, but I guess their obligation doesn't actualy start until she is in residence.

I don't think there is anyhting you can do.

there is a limit on class sizes and if there isn't a place there isn't a place.

bratnav - good for you for moving to be nearer DSD .

It sounds as if you are doing your utmost to get a place for DD2 and that the school is on your side. Be patient it sounds as if it will work out.

cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Once you have moved I would phone the LEA schools admissions dept (should be on their website), check that you are down for dd2 to be on the waiting list for this school and ask whereabouts on the waiting list you are. (Places do come up during the year: it depends on the area.)

Anna, well the DSD thing is taking a while, but can't go into it on here. Thank you for all your help and advice before

We really don't want DD2 to go to a different school as I have no idea how we would get all 3 girls to 2 different schools at the same time. I don't have a job in the new place yet, but will do, and DP will be starting work at 8.30. The girls are 6,5 and 4, so far too young to wait in a playground etc.

According to the council we are waaay down the list, but the school secretary said that we are top of her list, and as soon as all the Reception classes have been inducted (end of this week) the school can offer any places to whomever they choose and don't have to ask the council first. I am just worried that we will have a long wait, during which time it will be really difficult for DD2 not to be in the same school as her sisters.

I'd stay in close friendly contact with that school secretary then - it sounds as if the school fully understands how important it is for all your children to be at the same school and probably appreciates the huge effort you are all putting in to be near DSD and to be a much bigger part of her upbringing.

Yes, DP is calling her every couple of days. It would appear that DSDs Mum upset her somewhat whilst enrolment....

Yes, DP is calling her every couple of days. It would appear that DSDs Mum upset her somewhat during enrolment....

Yes, DP is calling her every couple of days. It would appear that DSDs Mum upset her somewhat during enrolment....

aaargh flipping computer

You need to check exactly where you are on the waiting list and also what the school's admissions criteria are. Siblings often are the first priority for places after looked-after children, so you probably will be close to the top of the list as your other daughter already has a place. Usually once places have been allocated, schools keep their waiting list in priority order according to the admissions criteria and - to avoid complaints and appeals - when places become available during the school year, the school offers them to whoever's top of the list.

It's impossible to predict when a place might fall vacant but if some children don't take up their places it can take a while to go through the procedure of offering the place to those who are still waiting, so you may have a chance of a place this term.

But when did you apply for your daughter's place? If you applied after the council's deadline (and most are in January) they're not obliged to offer you a place until all the in-time applications have been processed and places accepted or declined. Have they offered you anything at all? Our LEA sends out the late offers in about July so I would guess you'd have been offered something by now. Or have you applied very recently?

Fingers crossed.

We applied very recently as we didn't know we would be moving into the LEA area until the start of September.