House move after secondary school deadline

[Karen333]

Hi, can anyone help please?

We are moving house and it looks like our sale will go through in November / start of December. We are moving into rented so will not know our new address by the deadline on 31st October.

I have tried to speak to several,people at our local council to confirm the position but don't seem to be getting anywhere, I wouldn't have thought it was that difficult! I can't be the only person to move in November!

If the application is considered as late does that mean it isn't looked at until all other places are allocated i.e. In March?

The council guide to admissions isn't clear at all but I have found a paragraph saying that any changes of address after 21st Feb won't be considered until after 1st March. To me this means that if it's before 21st Feb it will be considered in the initial allocation process.

Does anyone else have experience of this? We were considering a move to a different area and they were quite clear that if your change of address is before Feb you can change preferences no problem so I can't see why my local council can't tell me?

Thanks

P.S. I'm panicking cos the main reason for the move was to get into the good school we are moving to be close to and it might be a complete waste of time with her having to travel back over to the rubbish school close to where we are now, help!

Are you sure the February date relates to secondary school admissions? That sounds more like a date for primary school applications. If you PM me the name of the LA involved I will be happy to take a look if you aren't sure.

Thanks, its Wolverhampton council and we are selling the house

Please see page 47 and page 52 of the admissions booklet

It's Shropshire council that says you can change preferences due to change of address up to 1st Feb, I wish Wolverhampton council were that clear.

Can anyone please help? I have to say whether to accept the offer on our house tomorrow and I don't know what to do, there's no point moving if she can't get into the school.
I have tried to push the council for a clear definite date and answer and I'm getting nowhere, I have also emailed them but they could take ages to reply.

Interesting and about as clear as mud. I think it is certainly arguable that the admissions booklet implies they will take into account any new address up to 28th February but it would be better if you had a definitive statement from them, ideally in writing (email will do). If the council won't answer you will have to decide whether or not to take the risk. If you do decide to take the risk and they use your old address you can argue on appeal that the admissions booklet implies they would use your new address, but obviously it would be better if you don't end up having to appeal.

I wish I could give you a clear answer as to what to do. I'm afraid I can't. Sorry.

As clear as mid definitely, glad it's not just me that thinks it. I will try again to get some sense from someone tomorrow., thanks.

Sorry, meant mud, brain has melted!

In any event put your desired school in 1st place on the CAF. It does give a Feb date in the booklet for a change of address, but the fact that you are moving from an owned house into rented accommodation may raise suspicions.