School places dilemma

FatVonD

pop37 wrote: »

We had this a few years ago, (being vague deliberately) a preschool worker shopped a parent who did the same thing, she wanted the place for her child. End result the parent who lied lost the place and the preschool worker did not get the place as she hoped but also lost the respect of the parents and other staff as she had used confidential info to do it.

No chance of that happening to Skintchick though and regardless of whether the preschool worker got it or not, somebody who was entitled to it did.

Spendless

My council have done spot checks on addresses used too using the electrol roll, though for Secondary school places not primary and withdrawn them if they have been found to have given false information.

Janepig

I'm not sure I'd get involved if it didn't affect me, although I suppose if this person's child is awarded a place under false pretences then it would have a knock on effect further down the line.

I'm quite surprised that she hasn't had to provide rock solid proof of her address to the LEA though, I thought this was standard practice nowadays. Also, I know afew years ago our LEA brought this in where you had to provide proof of address (although afaik DD/DS's school is the only oversubscribed one in the LEA). They messed up the first year they did it though because they didn't have the "small print" on the form to say what the consequences of giving a different address would be. That's been changed now too but it might be worth having a look at the T's & C's on the application form Skinty to make sure that if this person is caught out then they can do something about it.

The only other thing I would say is that I do know of some working parents who apply for school places near to where their parents live, rather than where they live, on the basis that it's their parents who would take the child to school and it's easier to apply in their catchment area than in the child's actual catchment. Does that make sense? Might that be why this person is doing it?

Jx

FBaby

Morally, you should do it, but it is a hard thing to do. I would be really torn apart.

What surprising me is that she would do this when her local school is actually an even 'better' school. Could it be that she works and will be dropping her daughter to her parents so they can walk her to and from school?

It still wouldn't make it right, but I could understand it better.

Lunar_Eclipse

I wouldn't report it, on the basis of let he without sin cast the first stone. We are all immorally guilty, whether we realise it or not.

I suspect it will all come out in the wash, if this woman has actually lied on her application form. I wonder if the child does spend time every week at the grandmother's house, or there is a plan for her to do so when she starts school to be nearer or for childcare reasons etc.

(Also, the only person to be directly affected by your action is an innocent 4 year old child.)

thunderbird

I think you will need to be prepared for the fact that she may realise it is you/your husband that have reported her

mucklebones

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

(Also, the only person to be directly affected by your action is an innocent 4 year old child.)

Agree with this.

notanewuser

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I wouldn't report it, on the basis of let he without sin cast the first stone. We are all immorally guilty, whether we realise it or not.

I suspect it will all come out in the wash, if this woman has actually lied on her application form. I wonder if the child does spend time every week at the grandmother's house, or there is a plan for her to do so when she starts school to be nearer or for childcare reasons etc.

(Also, the only person to be directly affected by your action is an innocent 4 year old child.)

That's not how school admissions work. They ask for the home address, not the most convenient address.

They are potentially disadvantaging an innocent 4 year old child who is entitled to a place, fair and square.

Do you advocate the misuse of other public services too?

peachyprice

I would leave be unless you are 100% aware of all the facts surrounding the family dynamics, it's not going to have any effect on you or your children afterall.

If it's not the best school she may have a very good reason for wanting a place at the school near her parents, taking that away from the child (because that is who may suffer most) for your own satisfaction of 'doing the right thing' could lead to a difficult home/work balance for the family concerned.

The fact that she is speaking openly of it in the pre-school may well mean that the school are aware and are supporting her, if this is the case reporting her you will just make you seem petty and bitter.

peachyprice

notanewuser wrote: »

That's not how school admissions work. They ask for the home address, not the most convenient address.

They are potentially disadvantaging an innocent 4 year old child who is entitled to a place, fair and square.

Do you advocate the misuse of other public services too?

That isn't strictly true, certainly in my LEA you can apply for a primary school place near to an address of a childminder who will be taking a child to and from school if there is an established relationship.

And as OP isn't in possession of the full facts this may well be the case.