Genuinely wanted to move close to Gordon School but...

[harry75]

Hi!

First time, please excuse my ignorance.

My DS is in year 5 and he will be starting his secondary school (year 7) in Sep 2017. I guess last date to apply for admission is Oct 2016.

For his secondary school, we really like Gordon School, West End in Woking which is 9 miles from our home. This area has a very nice primary school which our DD can join as well.

I was looking at school's admission criteria and has found the following:
The School, in conjunction with Surrey, will investigate any applications where records show a change of address within the previous 12 months

What does this mean?
A. Does this mean applicant has to move into area at-least more than 12 months? If this is the case, its not possible for us as only 5 months are left to apply for admission.
B Or is it just an investigation to find out its a genuine move?

My situation is that, I own a house which I am planning to sell and move close to school but that I wanted to do, only, once admission will be confirmed. Here is what I am planning:

1. Rent out my own home in June 2016.
2. Move to catchment area of school (on rent) in June 2016.
3. Get admission for DS and DD in the local primary school in June 2016.
4. Apply for admission for Gordon School in Oct 2016 for DS.
5. Wait for admission result in March 2017.
6. Sell my own home and buy a house in the catchment.

does it makes sense?

Just wanted to clarify that I have visited the school area and really like it. I can see myself and family living there. And later my DD can join this school as well. Work wise it will be closer as well, so win win situation.

Any input would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

poster AllPowerfulLizardPerson - Thanks, I did not check with LA yet but will do that. However, I am not sure they can give this in writing ;)

The thing is, school admissions are not like courts of law where reasonable doubt will get someone off. If the LEA believe you moved into that address purely for admission purposes that is sufficient for them to not use that address, even if you intend to live there permanently.

And that's exactly what you are doing!

I have to agree with a PP - if you can afford to buy another property in that area you can afford private. Gordon's ain't that good!

titchy I have heard so many good things about Gordon, that has convinced me its even better than private school. Moreover for sending private two kids is like paying £40000 a year and at Gordon its just £13000.

To convince LEA, I can show: - actually you can't show any of this yet

1. I have bought property in the catchment and moved it there with my family. The new home is decent family home. - big assumptions there. You haven't bought a property because you haven't even started looking and you certainly haven't moved
2. I have only one council tax bill which is where I am living. - yes, that would be your house now, as above no new house has been sourced yet
3. My GP, Dentist are local - as above
4. My children are going into local primary school (which I have confirmed with school, they have place) - they have a place NOW, will they have a place in September or whenever you manage to move?
5. My work is nearer as compared to the other - fairly irrelevant, you are moving approximately 9 miles, it is not a life-changing distance
6. Existing house is on long term rental - how on earth can you say that? It's hasn't gone on the market yet! Also, you are very unlikely to get a long-term rental, you will most likely end up with an AST of 6 months with a break clause at 4, or if you are lucky a one-year rental. What happens if it doesn't rent in your very tight timescale and you are persuading Surrey CC that you really do intend to rent this house which is sitting empty?
7. Existing house is on Buy to Let mortgage. - not at the moment it isn't! You will have to arrange that with the bank, plus persuade them that you have sufficient deposit for the new house, can manage the new mortgage payments as well as possibly an extended period of paying two mortgages if your house doesn't rent.

You present this list as if it has all already happened or is guaranteed to happen when, in fact, most of it is pure speculation. You not only need all of this to happen without problems but you need it to happen soon!

OP, have you visited the school yet? Talking to parents whose children are already there, or who wanted to get their children in but didn't is one thing.

Actually visiting the school, and weighing up whether it's right for your children is critical.

How much cheaper it is than private school is irrelevant if it doesn't suit your children

Stillunexpected haha very funny :))

Ofcourse, I am not saying I have done that or will definitely be doing that!

Its just to ask, if someone can successfully work on this plan , is it enough to convince to LA. Please don't take it personal.

What is state boarding? About £12k p.a.? Why all the pissing around?
Stay where you are, pay for a boarding place, guaranteed entrance. What's the problem?

Your plans will just end your child with no decent secondary choices if Surrey deem it fraud.

ElectroStallion - Its not about money but boarding is not an option for us...

SuburbanRhonda yes, I have been talking to some friends whose kids are in Gordon and that has convinced me!

And have you visited the school yet? Please don't make a decision about a school for your child without even visiting it yourself.

Obviously parents who pay for their children to go there will sing its praises! You have to see it for yourself and decide if it's right for your children.

It's Gordon's btw

It's obviously not about money if you can afford two houses in Surrey!
Why don't you just pick the best day school in England and move there, if you don't wish him to board?

I don't want to sell my current home because there is no earning in the bank deposit and will keep that home as an investment.

With the best will in the world OP - the school admission process is big and complicated enough without it having to take into account your investment preferences. . If Gordon's is your absolute preference - understand their criteria and meet them, properly, or choose a different school. It might be a trade-off. It's what a lot of people do.

Even £13,000 is hardly state education.

Of course Gordon's will get good results because it's so heavily oversubscribed that the school can be picky about who it chooses. There will be a small percentage of SEND children, but not to the extent that many schools have.

You say boarding isn't an option but not for financial reasons. What about going for a weekly boarding place and then going for a day place after half a term? I've no idea how the school works, just an idea but I wonder if, once you are there you can change your boarding basis.

Otherwise, why not move to somewhere like Fleet where you can live anywhere in the town and get a place in either of the two good secondaries?

Or why not look around the school to see if it's right for your child before wasting time hatching unworkable plans to get them in?

If you apply god a full boarding place, you stand a better chance I think. That way, you do t have to move. I should know as I did😊

Apply for a full place I meant

Sorry - didn't read the whole thread and still haven't but picked out two things
Electro stallion --SPOT ON! Pay the boarding fees or forget it
Haraul - it seems you're trying to
a) get you children in and not want to pay boarding fees
b) pull a fast one
Sorry, I don't think that will work. Be honest, tell them where you live. If, as you say, boarding is not an option, you might have to look elsewhere.

Namechangeparents - you can't do that. Once you enter for a place, I'm afraid that's you for the duration of your child's stint there. 😊

Gordons is really hot on this now as it's such a popular school and quite a few people are financially able to make the system work for them (iyswim). We didn't move and of course didn't get a place and were still 18th at the end of a year. If you apply for a boarding place you have to show a geniune need for boarding, not just that you think it's an easier option, sorry!