I forgot to attach the supporting documents for DD's secondary school application

[FreiasBathtub]

ARGH help I'm in an absolute panic!

Forgot to attach the supporting documents for DD's secondary school application. I sent them over yesterday but can't get a clear answer from the council as to whether the application will now be treated as late.

Does anyone have any experience of whether councils are allowed to treat an application as late if supporting documentation is missing?

Kicking myself here.

What supporting documentation are we talking about?

Yeh what were the supporting docs? I never sent any. Was it a letter from the priest for a Catholic school or similar?

You can still add it. Just go to the account you applied. They allow to do that for some time afterwards. Or contact the local council if it is after that time

Oh thank you all so much for responding! We are in London and have to submit proof of address and birthdate.

I emailed them over last night and phoned the council in a panic this morning. A very nice lady reassured me that as long as the form is in on time (which it was) I am ok and won't be treated as latr. Such a relief. Minded to get it in writing though just in case.

Yes, you should get it in writing. That way you have proof if they do something different to what they've said.

@FreiasBathtub We are in London and have to submit proof of address and birthdate.

Out of curiosity, which council?
It's crazy that each council has a different bureaucracy.

Wandsworth asks for proof only if they cannot find you on their records.
Lambeth being Lambeth, one of the worst councils if you ask me, asks for documents in the child's name. They don't accept account statements (like a junior ISA) and, if you are not on benefits, the only option is a "child NHS registration card". I wonder how legal this is

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions-and-appeals/proof-address-and-date-birth-documents-school-0

This reminds me of the "bullshit jobs" theory, of how certain people create unnecessary rules and unnecessary jobs just to justify their existence
https://davidgraeber.org/articles/on-the-phenomenon-of-bullshit-jobs-a-work-rant/

Don't worry! I did this a few years ago as the stupid form lets you submit the application and then only asks for supporting documentation afterwards and the previous application for older DC didn't need as much evidence (yes, it was Lambeth).

They just contacted me to say could I provide the documentation and it was all fine - the key thing is the actual application is in on time.

Thank you all again!

I'm in Waltham Forest - I do understand the rationale to prevent fraud but given that DD currently attends a school which they run you'd hope they could figure this out internally. All my documentation for her (bar the birth cert, which they obviously have from her primary application) was issued by the council!

Just in case a future parent finds this in a panicked search...all was well and DD got her place despite the school being oversubscribed. Phew!

This nearly caught me out too - Lambeth only tell you these are needed after you submit the application, so had a mad scramble to get proof of add with DD's name on. Her school friends from other boroughs didn't need it.