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Secondary education

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Original poster

Changing address in year 8

8 replies

the2childparent · 28/08/2025 13:36

Hi All,

We live in Watford and we own two houses in Watford from past 6 years and both were used by us on and off during this time.

Last year my son applied for Watford boys grammar school and we provided both the address. Both are in inner catchment however one is close to the school and one little further away.

The school asked for documents to prove that the property closer to the school is used by us and I provided all documents (Purchase documents 6 years old, latest council taxes, utilities, etc.), however I also mentioned that the other house is also used by the family. The school came back and said that they have reviewed the documents and our situation and agree that they can consider the address closer to them for admission. Please note my son also got excellent marks in 11+ exam , so I am not sure on what basis he got admitted to the school (catchment or marks or both).

Now that he is in Year 8 - we have decided to rent out that property and move to the other house which is still in inner catchment but a little further away.

Do you think this will raise flags with the school even when he is now in year 8 and we have been upfront with the information? that is we did not hide during admission that we have another house a little further away.

OP posts:
Itdoesntmatteranyway · 28/08/2025 13:41

They won’t kick him out for it. They might think you’ve played a game, but you are allowed to move house.

lanthanum · 28/08/2025 16:58

Moving after starting at a school does not trigger any need to change school. The only problem would be if they thought you were being fraudulent in your application, but it sounds as if you were open and honest, so I think they are unlikely to pursue that. Why have you decided to relocate now? If you were only at the other address to ensure he got a place, then you were playing the system, but I doubt they'll pursue it. If it's because something else has changed, and relocating gives someone in the family an easier commute, or you've decided you need an extra bedroom, then fair enough.

TizerorFizz · 28/08/2025 17:03

The school can do nothing but the rat is truly smelling I think.

Original poster
the2childparent · 28/08/2025 17:41

lanthanum · 28/08/2025 16:58

Moving after starting at a school does not trigger any need to change school. The only problem would be if they thought you were being fraudulent in your application, but it sounds as if you were open and honest, so I think they are unlikely to pursue that. Why have you decided to relocate now? If you were only at the other address to ensure he got a place, then you were playing the system, but I doubt they'll pursue it. If it's because something else has changed, and relocating gives someone in the family an easier commute, or you've decided you need an extra bedroom, then fair enough.

Thanks for your response. The reason why we want to move is - My wife has lost her job so its difficult to maintain both the properties plus renting out one will give extra income too. We will move to the bigger house and rent out the smaller one which is closer to the school. The other one is also in the inner catchment area.

OP posts:
Original poster
the2childparent · 28/08/2025 17:52

lanthanum · 28/08/2025 16:58

Moving after starting at a school does not trigger any need to change school. The only problem would be if they thought you were being fraudulent in your application, but it sounds as if you were open and honest, so I think they are unlikely to pursue that. Why have you decided to relocate now? If you were only at the other address to ensure he got a place, then you were playing the system, but I doubt they'll pursue it. If it's because something else has changed, and relocating gives someone in the family an easier commute, or you've decided you need an extra bedroom, then fair enough.

Also one whole year is already passed and he is in Year 8 now - its not that we did it as soon as he got the admission.

Yes we were upfront and did not hide the information that we own two houses. They even at one point said as per their rules they will use the house which is further away and I just said thats okay - however is there a way I can prove we live here and they asked a list of documents and we provided all of them.

My concern is that I want my daughter to go to Watford girls under sibling rule next year and I dont want this to become an issue for future.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 28/08/2025 20:57

Well dc isn’t going to be chucked out so what’s the issue?

Jerrantula · 28/08/2025 23:36

By Year 8 it will be fine. I've heard of places being withdrawn early in Year 7 if parents move house just as soon as the child starts, but by Year 8 the student will be too settled to move them. I don't expect the sibling rule will be affected provided it doesn't state that the sibling must be in catchment. We did a similar thing, sold our house to go into a rented flat to get into a top non-selective state school. We lived there for almost 2 years but moved at the end of Year 7 into a house out of catchment. The move was never questioned and we never had to explain why we moved. Dc2 and dc3 were able to get sibling places with no issues. As long as you know the rules and stick to the them you will be fine.

LIZS · 29/08/2025 08:25

You need to check the criteria which will be applied to prove dd’s address for her application. Some LA may not recognise your “new” address if you have recently moved and have an alternative property available. Likewise it may cause issues for your “tenants” if that address is already used for an application.

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