moving nearer the school

susieq · Post by **susieq** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:04 pm

I wonder if anyone can help me especially anyone with experience of this or if you have a legal background and are familiar with this kind of thing.

we are in catchment, so would not be moving from outside catchment but due to over subscription only criteria used is distance therefore as we are the furthest away within the catchment we didn't get into school of choice and we have older children already at the school. Appeal imminent. If we moved nearer the school, or had a rental agreement set up would this be legally acceptable and for how long would we need to stay there? Advice from the LA is "that this would be deemed as a temporary residence of convenience" so they are saying No. However others are saying go for it!

Obviously this would be a huge financial thing for us to undertake therefore any advice at this stage would be gratefully appreciated.

Ambridge · Post by **Ambridge** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:22 pm

Hi - sorry to hear of your predicament - are you in Bucks?

If you give an idea of where you live and the school you were hoping for, I am sure someone will be along soon who can give you some advice.

Guest55 · Post by **Guest55** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:24 pm

I wold urge caution - it is unlikely to work. I know Bucks have taken places away from children even after they have started the school when 'dodgy' practice has been uncovered.

Sally-Anne · Post by **Sally-Anne** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:36 pm

Hi susieq

I would advise against it in the strongest terms. Bucks Admissions are likely to scrutinise such a move extremely carefully at this stage in the process and, as Guest55 says, you risk your child being withdrawn from the school even after s/he has started there. Do you really want to risk that humiliation for your child, and the possible taunts that his/her parents are "cheats"?

Instead, why not focus on the legitimate route - your appeal? Although siblings beyond Year 10 do not count officially for admissions, if they have been right through the school, then there is little doubt that your 3rd child will want to emulate his/her siblings. Perhaps s/he also shows talents that match the specialist status of the appealed for school? Such things do run in families ...

Read Etienne's "Appeal Q&As" http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11plus ... nswers.php if you have not already done so - Section C is most relevant.

Sally-Anne

Post by **Etienne** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:40 pm

susieq wrote:others are saying go for it!

That sounds like very bad advice - for the reasons given by Guest55 and Sally-Anne.

susieq · Post by **susieq** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:26 pm

moving never sat well in the first place. The worry of not knowing whether a move may go against us longterm was causing sleepless nights. We love where we live just heartbreaking that our home is "not near enough. This Appeal is costing me sleep and my sanity??! In the light of day harsh facts and the morale implications cause a huge reality check. Am working hard on the Appeal and trying to get this right.
Help & support provided from this website has been brill. Thx u. Deep breaths all round!

Guest2009 · Post by **Guest2009** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:09 pm

susieq wrote:
"...would this be legally acceptable and for how long would we need to stay there... "

Sally-Anne · Post by **Sally-Anne** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:46 pm

Hi Guest 2009, and welcome!

I can only reiterate the point I made above to susieq:

Sally-Anne wrote:Bucks Admissions are likely to scrutinise such a move extremely carefully at this stage in the process and, as Guest55 says, you risk your child being withdrawn from the school even after s/he has started there.

The provision to give a new address in Bucks exists to allow people moving in to the area for genuine reasons to do so, asuming that they have every intention of staying here permanently.

I am aware of people who have tried to play the system, and they have been caught out. I know of a case a few years ago where another parent "shopped" someone who was using an address of convenience in Bucks to gain a school place.

The rules should be interpreted according to an individual's personal moral code, and with the full understanding that if someone attempts to cheat the system and is found out, it is the child who suffers.

I would advise anyone against taking that risk, and in the strongest terms.

Sally-Anne

SunlampVexesEel · Post by **SunlampVexesEel** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:48 pm

susieq wrote:If we moved nearer the school

If you did then I cannot see why you could not use that as grounds for appeal.

susieq wrote:or had a rental agreement set up

That sounds simply like an attempt at fraud. There is plenty of anedotal evidence that this type of practice goes on but you are probably a bit late to embark on such a dubious path.

Only my 2p worth

Regards
SVE

Guest2009 · Post by **Guest2009** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:22 pm

Hi Sally-Anne

Thank you for your clarification. I agree with what you said. But what should one do if one has genuine reason several years later to move away from the area? Does it mean the child will have to leave the school?

moving nearer the school

moving nearer the school

Re: moving nearer the school