Why might a new school with space refuse DD (mid year)?

[MoonshineSunriseDaydream]

Due to needing to relocate (far from ideal, can't be helped), we have to move schools for my Y7 daughter. We are hoping she can start after Easter.

I have been advised by the Admissions officer for our LA that a place is available at the school we wanted.

I've emailed the school to follow up, and check on start dates, and he replied with this. My question is, is them agreeing to admission likely?! Why would they not?! On what grounds can they refuse us? Worried!
"I received notification from X at X local authority Admissions.
The information is given to the Head mistress and Governors’ Panel.
If DD's admission is agreed, I will call you to arrange a meet date and the Head of Year 7 will give you a starting date at the meeting.
If the admission is refused, you will receive a letter in the post stating the reasons why."

:/
Thanks.

I think that’s just a boilerplate response

Is it a church school? They can be more fussy with admissions that standard local authority schools.

Most places will just admit a new student though, unless there’s serious behaviour / attendance issues.

It's just a bog standard reply that you receive when you apply for an in year place.

We had very similar when my daughter moved (although primary not secondary). She got in as there was space. Good luck!

So everyone who applies will get that, for every year, whether the year has space or not. Then presumably you will hear soon that they do have space.

Ah thank you all so so much.
I was really stressed. LA said there was space, I accepted, assumed it was a done deal. The email from the school really threw me into a panic.

Fingers crossed we are in.

Thank you.

No, not a church school. Would definitely not fulfil their criteria.

Do you all think things can move as fast as DD starting after Easter? We are hopefully meeting the people as detailed above this week. I am aware term ends on Friday.

@MoonshineSunriseDaydream as others have said, the message is boilerplate, but to answer your question, if your child has been permanently excluded from 2 schools they can refuse you and refer you to the local authority's fair access protocol. Or, if they have more than one applicant for the place they can refuse you in line with their oversubscription criteria.

Ah, thank you. Good to know. No, not been excluded. So hopefully we are in. 🤞🤞🤞

I work with children with a history of (very) poor behaviour at school and schools often decline their mid year applications, following discussions with the previous school. It will be standard response but if there aren't any issues with DD the application will be accepted

Thanks so much.
Pure relocation, no previous school problems.

What happens to the children who get refused a place because of the problems you are dealing with?

They're classified as "Hard to Place" and the LA has to find another way to educate them. Sometimes this means offering a school a financial incentive to take them, sometimes it will be tuition at home or online, sometimes it will be an alternative education provision.

There are whole teams within LAs trying to get education for children no one wants 😥

Gosh, how hard for all involved.

Thank you for your work within this field, whatever it is you do.