In year application into sept year 8

[atomicnotsoblonde]

I'm relocating due to my NHS job. I'm currently commuting a 100 mile round trip but need to move as it's killing us, as I have to do on call shifts on top of a full time job. My child will need a place starting in year 8 in September.

How do I navigate this? The new LA can't tell me which if any schools currently have places. If I apply to all the local schools are they are full, then what happens? When should I apply for September? I assume the schools are mostly closed over the summer, but I have to sell my current home.

I'm worried sick about what will happen and where they will go to school. This is in the staffs area.

Any advice welcome. Thank you.

Once you move, the new LA has to find a place for your child somewhere. If all schools are full, they can use the Fair Access Protocol to get a school to take your child even if they are full.

Any applications you make at this stage will come from your current address. That means you will only get a place if a school has a place available and no waiting list. Even if you did get a place, the school will expect you to take it up within a few weeks, not wait until September.

Your better option is to check at what point you can apply from your new address. Depending on the LA, that may be when you exchange contracts on your new home, or you may have to wait until you complete. The LA's admissions team will still be working over the summer, but there won't be anyone working in the schools so it may be a week or two into the autumn term before your child gets a place.

@prh47bridge thank you so much for replying, this is really helpful.

My preference is for a catholic school as my child has been in catholic education since nursery. I can apply on faith basis and have the relevant certificates etc, but I entirely appreciate the current need is for any school!! If the catholic school had no vacancy, would the fair access protocol apply on faith grounds or does this not count in these circumstances? Thank you

If the Catholic school is full but another school has places, you will be offered a place at the other school and the FAP will not kick in. The FAP only applies when your child has been out of education for 4 or more weeks and there are no places available at any local school. Even if it does apply, you will be offered a place at whichever school is best able to cope with an additional pupil regardless of faith. That may be the Catholic school, but it may be a non-faith school or even a school of a different faith.

Brilliant. Thank you so much for clarifying. It's so hard to get any sense out of the LA. Really appreciated, thank you