School admission

[Deleted User]

Im not bothered much about work really because I work from home majority of the times. I only travel 2 days a week to office, so it’s more important for the school to be as close as possible to where i live as it’s an everyday thing rather than work. I am currently registered with council as homeless since July and I was bidding houses but then in September I found this house through WDH and it turns out I was eligible to buy through the shared ownership scheme so I went for it and now just waiting. Council was trying to find me accommodation but at the time I was living with friends and I had a roof above my head so other people were more priority, those ones that had nowhere to go for the night. And I was told it’s very busy now with homeless people and they need to prioritise… but then I couldn’t live with my friends any longer they’ve asked me to leave so I paid for Airbnb. I’ve booked until January and I hope my house will get sorted until then but what if not? I’ve been told in September it’s 28 days and we can exchange contract and move in shortly after but then we faced issues and we have delays. I’m just going crazy now worrying I’ll end up with nowhere to go, my child is scared as we don’t have home and not good mental condition. So I was thinking maybe best option is to give up on house and try to find rent? It’s been too much and I just don’t know what’s best to do. 

Sarahspangles

marcia_ said:

 Schools are used to getting applications from those who are homeless or travellers and catchment areas don't mean much anymore with parents able to select any schools they wish. 

Our best local primary could fill reception five times over with first choice applications. To guarantee getting in, parents need to be in catchment and also able to tick another box, like having a sibling at the school, and the remaining seats are filled by those geographically closest within catchment. This is the result of parental choice.

I don’t mean to further depress the OP but for now I would focus on whatever solution is least tiring for both in terms of commute and wrap around childcare arrangements. Then join the waiting list for local schools when things are more settled.

maman

marcia_ said:... catchment areas don't mean much anymore with parents able to select any schools they wish. 

That's a common misconception. The relevant act says that parents can express a preference for any 3 state state schools but those schools still have to apply their admissions policies. So @[Deleted User] is still in the position where they will not be offered a place in a heavily subscribed school unless they fulfil the requirements of the admissions policy which always prioritises living in catchment area.

marcia_

maman said:

marcia_ said:... catchment areas don't mean much anymore with parents able to select any schools they wish. 

That's a common misconception. The relevant act says that parents can express a preference for any 3 state state schools but those schools still have to apply their admissions policies. So @[Deleted User] is still in the position where they will not be offered a place in a heavily subscribed school unless they fulfil the requirements of the admissions policy which always prioritises living in catchment area.

 Not always, there are several schools near me where their only priorities are religion and/or sibling in the school 

maman

That's true @marcia_. but they will probably be voluntary aided or controlled or even free schools. In any event, I don't think that OP is looking for a religious school or that her child has an older sibling. 🤔

[Deleted User]

No there’s no siblings. And religion won’t impact either. It’s just me and my boy. I share 50/50 custody with his dad but in terms of school, he’s not very supportive so I’m on my own 

Savvy_Sue

I'm guessing we're talking primary school, so what I'm about to say is less applicable, but just to say that both here and where we moved from, secondary school catchment areas (or priority areas, as I think they are now called) are rarely an obvious shape. I've just quickly looked at a few, and in each case the school is nowhere near the centre of the area the school serves - in one case it's right on the edge! It's worth checking that out at an early stage. 

maman

IIRC most catchment areas work as the crow flies from the school to your home so your point is very relevant @Savvy_Sue when it comes to choosing a property in a sought after area. 

silvercar

Lots of quirks in the system at local level. My area they will also consider travelling distance to the next alternative school. So if school A is your first choice but there is another school nearby, but another family in the same admission band as you would have to travel a long way to their alternative school, they would get priority. 

maman

Yes @silvercar, it probably does vary from one LA to another. They have to find a place for all children and if there's nothing close to home, in my area, they provide transport until the local school has a vacancy.

I think OP needs to speak with the admissions department of her own Local Authority and ask what they advise in her circumstances.