In-year admission

mandm65

angelil wrote: »

To be honest, as it is so late in the year I would not rely on schools having places. I also think that for the children trying to integrate with other pupils with only a month left of the school year would be very difficult. I would home school them for the remaining month of the school year if possible and just wait to re-enrol them in school for September, but appreciate home-schooling may not be an option (even if only for one month) if both parents are working.

Yes you are right they are late and yes they are aware that only a month left but they were asking for what would be better option, wait until September or start the admission process now, we thought later would be better?

mandm65

FBaby wrote: »

How old are the children?

They are 12 and 9.

FBaby wrote: »

Are they coming back within the next month? Do they realise there is only a month left of school in England?

Yes they di and they expected to arrive end of this month.

FBaby wrote: »

The council would have to provide a place, but of course it might not be in their school of choice or the closest to their home?

What would they need to do to achieve above?

FBaby wrote: »

Do they have an official address yet as the won't be able to apply for a place until they do.

Yes they have secure a rented house until they find what they are after.

FBaby wrote: »

If they are in a transition year, the places for September will already all have been allocated. The council will be able to inform them if there are any space available now, if there will be in September, if not which school they will be offered and where they would be on the waiting list depending on the address for their preferred school.

Again i would appreciate if you could shed any light on the above, what would be the best option to manage the above, appreciate some of the things would be beyond their control, i.e space/availability in school of their choice.
cheers

mandm65

jackomdj wrote: »

if they got in now they have the summer to play with their new friends before going back in Sept.

Thats a valid point jackomdj, not sure why we did not think of that during our discussions!

doogle_chick

In year admissions for england and wales are now all co-ordinated by local authorities so they will need to apply direct to the local authority (LA) where they will be living. By all means they can approach schools direct to look around etc but many schools wont even advise whether they have places or not as they will just refer you to the LA. Also please note that many LAs wont accept applications from abroad as they are under no obligation to offer school places until a child is actually resident in their area. However they will be able to give the right to appeal if the school is full.
They may well find that many if not all of the local schools will be full, in which case the LA will either advise them to appeal or offer a place at the nearest school with a space but that may be some distance from their home.
Finally, some LAs wont accept rental agreements unless they are for at least 12 months so they really should get in touch with the LA where they are moving to and have a discussion with them to get the best information. Most LAs have a section on their website which may help.

TeamLowe

The LA will want confirmation of address and confirmation of when the children are in the country- a copy f their visas/immigration documents will do the trick. Just mentioning as sometimes one parent is sent to set up home a few weeks before the rest of he family arrive.

OP, it might be best to ring the la first, then go visit the schools where places are available to choose if there is a choice, rather than visit a school, fall in love with it to be told there's no places. Obviously they'll have the right to appeal but that's no garuntee and might only be heard in September now (appeals have to be heard within 30 school days so that takes us past the long summer holiday)

cottonhead

They can start their application now by submitting the application via the local authority where they will be living. They can request imediate entry or start in september. They will need proof of address in form of a rental agreement and then a utility bill. Schools should be aware of how many places they have, but some will not let on because they dont know how many applications the authority might be processing for that place, so they could say they have a place but its actaully gone by the time the family move.
If the family can put several choices in preference order thats helpful so if they dont get the first choice there is something else to work with. They will get a place one way or another as the local authority has to provide education - it might not be at the school they want though. If that happens they can go on the waiting list for their prefered schools or change their preferences and consider different schools. If they submit an application now for september they will probably here the outcome late July. Immediate entry at this late stage is probably unlilely with most authorities - depends on the work load.
Im guessing the area where they are moving doenst have grammar schools ? if so dont forget to apply for testing as well if they want that option.

mandm65

doogle_chick wrote: »

By all means they can approach schools direct to look around etc but many schools wont even advise whether they have places or not as they will just refer you to the LA. Also please note that many LAs wont accept applications from abroad as they are under no obligation to offer school places until a child is actually resident in their area. However they will be able to give the right to appeal if the school is full.
They may well find that many if not all of the local schools will be full, in which case the LA will either advise them to appeal or offer a place at the nearest school with a space but that may be some distance from their home.
Finally, some LAs wont accept rental agreements unless they are for at least 12 months so they really should get in touch with the LA where they are moving to and have a discussion with them to get the best information. Most LAs have a section on their website which may help.

Yes i think it would be best to go via LA as you rightly said that school may not disclose availability.

mandm65

TeamLowe wrote: »

OP, it might be best to ring the la first, then go visit the schools where places are available to choose if there is a choice, rather than visit a school, fall in love with it to be told there's no places. Obviously they'll have the right to appeal but that's no garuntee and might only be heard in September now (appeals have to be heard within 30 school days so that takes us past the long summer holiday)

Yes i agree it would be best to see where places are available before approaching the school, we hope it does not come to the appeals process!
Cheers

mandm65

cottonhead wrote: »

If the family can put several choices in preference order thats helpful so if they dont get the first choice there is something else to work with. They will get a place one way or another as the local authority has to provide education - it might not be at the school they want though. If that happens they can go on the waiting list for their prefered schools or change their preferences and consider different schools. If they submit an application now for september they will probably here the outcome late July. Immediate entry at this late stage is probably unlilely with most authorities - depends on the work load.
Im guessing the area where they are moving doenst have grammar schools ? if so dont forget to apply for testing as well if they want that option.

Yes we have looked at the 2nd and 3rd choice option so we are hopefull that they should get one from their choice, whats the likelyhood of they wont get a place in the first three?
Cheers