How To Move Schools When Moving House

Moving to a new house can be a complex process, especially when children are involved. You’ll need to consider factors like the distance to family, friends, and quality schools. With many steps to follow for securing a school placement for your child, proper planning and research can help minimize stress.

Relocating to a new home and transitioning to a new primary school can be challenging, often leading to concerns about disrupting your child’s learning progress and navigating the school admission process. This guide offers helpful tips to make moving home and handling school admissions a smoother experience.

How to Secure a Place

Each school will have its own policy regarding mid-year admissions, and there may be specific criteria you need to meet, along with deadlines to follow.

Your local council will provide the necessary criteria for the schools you're interested in, and the application process will largely depend on your new location. Depending on your council, you may need to apply directly to the school or through the local authority.

To streamline the process, start by researching websites like Ofsted to create a shortlist of schools before your move. Identify the schools in your new area that you would consider for your children. It’s recommended to keep your child enrolled in their current school during this time, in case any delays affect your moving date.

Once you have a shortlist, reach out to the schools to inquire about their application process and the level of demand. If a school is oversubscribed, there may be a lower chance of your child being accepted, but you can always appeal the decision if necessary.

How to Prove Your Address for School Admissions

When applying for a new school for your child, you’ll need to provide proof of address for your new home. The address must reflect your child’s permanent residence at the time you submit the application. Although each local authority may have slightly different requirements, they generally ask for two forms of address verification. Acceptable proof of address can include:

A copy of your tenancy agreement

A utility bill from the past three months

A council tax letter for the current year

A TV licence

A copy of a tax credit letter

What Happens If You Move House After School Application?

If you’re moving house during the school application process, you will need to provide evidence of your new address. Proof of address can include:

A letter from your solicitor confirming the moving date

A copy of the lease agreement from your letting agent

When to Apply for a New School Place

Securing a new school place mid-year, also known as ‘in-year admissions’, can be stressful. Transferring to a new school during the school year requires careful planning. It’s recommended to apply at least six weeks before your child is set to start at the new school, though it’s best to submit your application as soon as the application period opens.

When schools are oversubscribed, the admissions office will apply specific criteria to determine placement. This typically includes the distance from your home to the school, your child’s academic record, and their overall welfare.

To ensure your child has a place in a school once you’ve moved, it’s wise to apply to several schools. Additionally, if you’re moving from abroad back to a home you own, you may be asked to provide evidence from a third party, such as a doctor’s statement.

School Catchment Areas and Distance Criteria Explained

A catchment area is a designated geographical region that determines whether your child can attend a specific school, based on their permanent residence and proximity to the school. The catchment area may change each year depending on the number of applications received. This is particularly important to consider if you’re moving long distances.

Generally, the closer you live to the school, the higher your chances of securing a place. While distance is often the primary factor in school admissions, some schools may also consider other criteria or use a combination of factors in their decision-making process.

Factors that may be prioritised in school places:

Schools will often prioritise places on whether a child has a sibling already at the school, and then go on to prioritise distance from the school as the next factor.

If the school is religious, then your child’s faith and religion will be prioritised sometimes over other non-religious students.

Medical and social needs might be prioritised in school admissions for certain schools.

What Constitutes a Fraudulent School Application?

Educational experts, Schools Week, claim that fraudulent applications are on the rise, which affects the number of genuine students not getting a place at their desired schools. A fraudulent school application can consist of:

Using a fake address

Using an address that isn’t your child’s permanent residence, such as a grandparent’s address

Renting a house near the desired school whilst still owning and living in a different house

Renting a house near the school but moving to a different location before the school start date

You must ensure the application uses the correct address to avoid delaying your child's school place. It can be an easy mistake if you are in between properties or have circumstances that mean your child has numerous residences throughout the year.

If you're unsure what address to submit, check with the desired school and your local council so you'll have peace of mind.

How Schools Check Addresses

The school will have to check and approve that your child’s address is correct before deciding on their application. Some schools or councils will make an effort to check addresses whilst some may rely on a tip-off of a fraudulent address from another parent at the school. Some cases of fraud will be detected through random checks, also.

Cross-referencing applications with council tax records

Cross-referencing applications with electoral roll

Spot checks on addresses

Potentially checking social media for evidence of address fraud

Can You Stay in the Same School After Moving?

If you're staying local and staying within the catchment area, then there is no need to move schools. However, if you're moving further afield and to a different catchment area, you'll need to apply for a new school place for your children.

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