How long will a school hold a place?

[Ruby40]

I am moving back to the UK this summer and have 2 DDs to place in school in September: Years 3 and Year 6. I understand how difficult it is to get places in the same school. I would move back earlier if it meant that they would be in the same school but was wondering if a school had 2 places, how much time I would have to take up the places;ie: 4 weeks? 6 weeks? I just need enough time to move back, at the least 4 weeks. Does anybody know the answer or is it up to the LEA? I thought I would try here first before approaching the LEA as the admissions manager has not been particularly helpful. Thanks

They will only give you places if you have a fixed address in the UK

I think they will only have it open as long as noone else wants it. But they won't be able to formally offer any places until you are resident.

I probably wasn't clear, we have a fixed address in the UK and already a place for my younger DD to start Junior school in September as we have only been away on secondment.

You'd have to negotiate for dd1 but I'd say less than half a term ie. by end May. Presumably they won't fill dd2's place in short term if one is allocated to her next year, although if she is currently Year 2 would she already be at the same school ?