To move back from abroad to get into a decent secondary school?

[lul37]

My DH's work contract abroad ends in two years in June 2020. So we would need to all relocate back home by then.

My older DS would be starting secondary school on our return in September 2020. Is it worth returning a year early, this September 2019 (me and the DC only)? Just so that we can apply at the right time and try be in catchment, and so that we stand a fair chance of getting into our preferred secondary schools?

I have called the LA/schools and they said I need to be resident in the UK when I apply and my DS as well. My younger DS would still be in junior primary.

The good secondary schools in our area are already oversubscribed. I'm worried if we moved too late after the application deadline that we wouldn't get any of our preferred choices. Obviously don't want to move back too soon while my DC are going to school abroad, but then again, we will need to move back eventually and this will affect DS for the next seven years of his schooling.

What would you do? Move back now or take a gamble a place will open up at the last minute after we return back?

I would move back a year before and choose your address very wisely, don’t assume ‘furthest distance successful’ or trust estate agents, check the data. Stupid school system.

Check out primaries too but getting into primary might work out. Most places will either bulge a year 5 or 6 primary class or people in the same situation as you will leave, vacating spaces.

I would move back a year before and choose your address very wisely, don’t assume ‘furthest distance successful’ or trust estate agents, check the data. Stupid school system.

^ This

Yes I agree with the above. If which school your children attend is important to you, you need to do your research and act accordingly. This may well involve moving back and applying from in catchment (check oversubscription data to see just how close you need to be).

I agree with other posters. Move back early and choose your location very wisely.

Also check if feeder schools get priority and assess how school places have been allocated in recent years. You may need to move back earlier to get DC into a feeder school. There was movement in year 5 in local schools due to people trying to get I to the feeder school.

Are there any grammar schools? Mine sat a late test then got into our preferred school as their score put them near the top of the waiting list.

The gamble is only worth it if you can comfortably lose. So if you could afford to pay for a private alternative then take the gamble but if you can't you need to move back in time to apply.

If your preferred choices are usually over subscribed, how do you imagine you’ll get a place if you apply after the deadline?

Applying after the deadline doesn't necessarily mean you won't get into an oversubscribed school, if the criteria put you to the top of the waiting list and there is movement. We applied in the March and a place was offered in the May.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Hubby thinks it's too drastic and doesn't agree I should move back earlier just for schools. Wish grammar schools are an option, but DS1 struggles academically to even meet his targets at school. He has not been classed as special needs but he is at the low levels in his class. Am wondering if he actually had a statement of SEN if it would help him get a place then??

@TheGrey1houndSpeaks we would hope that in September 2020 after we moved back a month before, some children might not show up to start year 7 at our preferred schools and we would be offered one of their places instead (whilst being in the catchment ofcourse). Then we wouldn't have to leave one year early from abroad and split up the family. But I'm wondering how often there is movement of spaces just prior or during the first week of September at schools.

If it's a Forces move then particular criteria may apply to you - check. Out the Forces Covenant.

@Rubusfruticosus what you said is exactly what we would be hoping would happen. However the earliest we could move back is early July 2020, then find a property as close to the preferred schools as we can and apply during the summer.

I'm sure there is a continuing interest list in operation between March and September so ime you would be unlikely to walk into a free place that comes up before the September. I think you should be coming back now to stand the best chance of getting into a primary before this September (applications need to be in by October).

A diagnosed SEN is unlikely to be enough to get him into a higher group for admissions. Some schools do have a 'social, medical' type group for admissions but it's hard to get considered under that.
The old statement of needs has been replaced by an EHCP and they can be difficult to get.

I think you are right and your husband is wrong. Cost up a private school in a feasible area for 5 years, not forgetting to do compound interest of 5% a year and for safety, assume VAT comes in in fees. That should focus his mind...

I say 5 years as good state sixth form places are easier to come by than year 7 places.