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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

getting into reception when relocating - how to I do it??

12 replies

flintski · 26/04/2009 08:18

hello all,

am relocating to the south over the summer - its been a bit of a last minute decision and so obviously we haven't been able to apply for a primary school place for dd who is due to start school in sept (we have a place where we already are) - am i right in thinking that I just have to contact as many schools as i can to get her on lists if they are full?

Also, we will not have a permanent address at first but plan to use in-laws for a bit - can I give this address now even though I am not moving until the summer (as I am a teacher so you'd think i would know all this!!)

any help/thoughts appreciated, (and whether you think I am mad to do this!)

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EldonAve · 26/04/2009 08:20

usually you can't go on any lists until you have actually moved

Original poster

flintski · 26/04/2009 08:27

thought so - how does it work though if I am not moving until august but she should be starting school in September? Sorry if i sound ignorant, I just want to make the right decision

OP posts:

purepurple · 26/04/2009 08:28

I think you can apply to the schools and go on the lists .
We did for high school when we moved across the country.
We were allocated a school miles away from where we would be living.
We appealled and won, all while living 200 miles away.
Just use your in-laws address.
It should not be a problem getting into a school, as long as there are places. Just contact all the schools directly.

EldonAve · 26/04/2009 08:29

you get pot luck or a place at an undersubsribed school

best to call the council primary admissions dept and possibly the admissions person at the schools you are interested in

Original poster

flintski · 26/04/2009 08:34

thanks purepurple - its good to know it can be done - think I will make loads of calls this week and see how I get on. eldonave - i know it will be pot luck - that's why I'm wavering - thanks for the input.

OP posts:

purepurple · 26/04/2009 08:44

I've just remembered we moved when DS was at primary school too. He was in YR3 or 4. I sorted the school out before we moved, without a permanant address. I just got the yellow pages and rang round all the schools till I found one with a place.

I think the most important thing is to secure a place, if you don't like the school when your DD is there you will be in a better position to move her.

EldonAve · 26/04/2009 08:44

depending on the pressure on school places if you use your inlaws address before you live there you may be asked for proof

ouchitreallyhurts · 26/04/2009 09:02

We are doing the same currently - last week we went to the school in our new village-to-be and were given application forms etc.
as yet we haven't exchanged contracts so its all in the air but we wanted to make sure the children would have a place - they've done this based on our current address.

they have also offered to have dd in the induction afternoons at the new school rather than the one her older siblings attend so she can make her new friends and feel more settled.

Original poster

flintski · 26/04/2009 09:11

That's really interesting ouch thanks - we are planning to try to organise some visits to some schools near my in laws as we will be staying with them until we sell our house so I don't feel we are hoodwinking people!
agreed purepurple - I think we will aim for a place and if we have to move her after, we will.

On a slighty different note, how have your kids coped with the move? My dd is v switched on and keeps telling me she wants to go to school with her friends and I feel bad that we are taking her away from them even though I know its for the best in the long run!

OP posts:

purepurple · 26/04/2009 09:39

we have done several moves and i think both of them coped well
with DD we moved just before she started in reception, june. She managed a couple of settling in sessions but did not know anybody when she started, not that seemed to bother her. She went on to become very popular and was on the school council for years.
We moved Ds twice, and he coped well too. He is completely different to his sis, more shy and reserved.
But he did ok at school and has an apprenticeship and a small group of friends.
TBH I think children can cope with moves and changing school, it's the grown ups that find it haed!

Original poster

flintski · 26/04/2009 12:13

that is what everyone keeps saying to me! I think I am more worried than she is tbh, she seems quite adaptable and we will just have to make an effort to join lots of clubs etc to make new friends.

thanks for all you help - am hoping I will get some help from the schools/local authority when I call them back next week.

oh and I have only just realised my spelling mistake in the thread title - and I'm a teacher tsk tsk!

OP posts:

purepurple · 26/04/2009 12:26

I am sure she will be fine
there are thousands of forces children that move schools and they seem to turn out ok

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