Changing Schools on moving home, appeals? anyone BTDT?

[hermionesmum]

Hello Ladies,
We're due to move house, within the same county, after half-term. I've been told that both the primary schools within walking distance of our new home don't have vacancies in my daughter's year groups and we'll be offered a school a bus ride/car trip away.
Does anyone have any experience with this, and the associated appeals process? We are literally going to be living in the same street as a perfectly good primary school and this sounds bonkers! Any advice?

[orangefoot]

I'm not sure you can appeal against it to be honest. The school can't break the class size 'target' for a number of reasons that they will be able to jsutfiy very stoutly.

When we moved to Abingdon from Oxford the school at the top of our road could take ds1 into year 6 but not ds2 into year 1. The Catholic school 10 minutes walk away could have ds2 in year 1 but not ds1 in year 6. I was looking at crazy mornings and different everything for at least a year then someone's house move came together and freed up a space in the closest school for ds2 so all was well.

Things can change quickly so keep in touch with your preferred school.

[hermionesmum]

Thanks for responding, Orangefoot. Not the first time I've felt like crying over this move!

[orangefoot]

I'm sorry to hear that, moving is never simple but it is easier if you are moving somewhere where things will be better or new in a good way.

Just to put another spanner in the works, would you consider not sending her to school for a while? A family on the Oxon home ed list is home educating their 5-6yo until they can get a place for their son in the school they want. It might be worth considering.

Where are you moving to?

[hermionesmum]

Temporary home education has crossed my mind, tell me more! as has driving them back to their current school, (1/2 hour trip), until places come up so they don't move have to change schools twice. We're moving to Grove btw.

[Helen_A]

If you want them to go to a specific school - then HE until they are available may be your only route. And the LA will lean on the school for you to go 'up the list' if you tell them that....

If you accept a place elsewhere for them, then they are considered 'suited' and will end up at the bottom of the waiting list for the other school. But if the school is literally just accross the road, then you may/should be top of the list by dint of distance, and once you have one child there you will then 'tick' the distance *and* the sibling at boxes which will lead to a much shorter wait again.

[orangefoot]

Grove is close to me! Well, about 20 minutes away. We meet up with some other home edders just outside Wantage every Friday from 12ish to just after 3 if you wanted to come along for a chat.

Have a look at the OxonHE Yahoo group or PM me if you want to know more.

[hermionesmum]

Thanks for the link, Orangefoot. I've joined the yahoo group and I may just be in touch regarding meet-ups, thank-you.

[flapjack]

I know a few people who have been through the appeals process unsuccessfully on those grounds- there aren't enough schools in North Swindon to absorb the kids living on the new housing estate so they drip down to my boys' schools, and even down to the local playgroup. Sorry

[hermionesmum]

Thanks for all your responses, ladies. Of all things we've called off the move! We've found something big enough, that we can afford, in our beloved home town Life has suddenly got so much easier!

[orangefoot]

: That must be a relief!