What happens if we move house after school? application

[Boohoo123456]

I am wanting to move house to be close to the school we want our child to go to for year 7. However, I am currently due a baby so cannot put house on market just yet but will fo around July/August. However, it may still take a few months to sell and even longer to complete!

If it turns out that we miss the deadline and still haven’t moved but do move a couple of months later, will we be able to reapply for the school we are now in catchment for?

Thanks in advance

Your application needs to come from the child's permanent address; so if you haven't moved by the close of applications, you need to use your current address (though some LAs will let you use a future address if you have exchanged by then).

Once you have moved, you can apply immediately from that address to local schools. Most LAs have a "late application within reason" date - check on their website - for just this type of situation. If they don't, or you miss this too, you can still apply, but it will be a late application and thus be considered after all on time applications. You will still get a place somewhere, but it may not be in a school of your choice as it will be wherever there is a space after the first round of allocations.

You can apply for schools in the new area from your current area - if you are moving within the same LA, or to a neighbouring one, there shouldn't be a problem. If the schools don't show up on the drop-down on your current LA's form, contact the admissions team and they will sort it out for you.

If you are definitely moving, name new area schools first, but just in case you haven't moved in time, name one or more (depending on how many preferences you can name) schools in your current locality that you have a good chance of being allocated.

If you haven't moved in time to submit your change of address and still be an 'on time' applicant, on March 1st you should be allocated a school in your current area, but be on the waiting list for the new area schools from the off, as they were higher preferences than your allocated school (check, however, whether this is automatic in the area). Then as soon as your new address is accepted, a) you should move up the waiting lists and b) the new area will now have to offer you a school place in the meantime, even if it's not one you're desperately keen on.
It just saves time, not having to go through the whole application process again as a late applicant.