Confused about sibling places

[Lochie]

My son is nearing 3 and we'll be applying for schools next September.

I was just wondering if someone can shed light on how sibling places work? We don't own a property round here so next summer will likely rent near to our preferred school in Lambeth (we know the school we want as my son has been going to the surestart centre there since he was 6 months old). We currently live a few hundred meters outside the catchment area where we are lodging with family, however the school we want is still only 0.4 miles away from where we are now (but not close enough).

With sibling places, if we lived in the catchment area and then moved say a mile outside of the catchment a year after our son started school, is the sibling guaranteed a place, i.e. is there still a distance limit on sibling places?

Any advice appreciated as I've looked in the Lambeth schools guide and can't find an answer!

Thanks in advance

[Vik]

There is usually no distance limit on sibling places. My sister moved about 3 miles from her oldest son's school, but was still given a sibling place this year for her younger son. (Even though she applied to much closer schools.) I know of other people that have done the same.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Lochie, if the school you are applying to is under local authority control, as most primaries are, than yes, you would get a place for a younger sibling. If however the primary is an academy or becomes an academy, be aware that academies set their own admissions criteria and may not have a sibling policy (although most currently do).

Renata

[Lochie]

Thank you both

[sally31]

Yes Lambeth do give siblings priority,

The catchment changes every year so be aware of this,

I know someone that lives 350 meters from my sons school who didn't get in!

Good luck x

[Mellors]

The only time I think this could be an issue is if there are more siblings than available places, then it would come down to distance as well.

[Mens]

My friend told me that where she lives (stoke newington...not sure of borough), the sibling policy does not apply if you are outside of the catchment area. This was changed this year so hopefully other boroughs won't follow suit.

[muhsiena]

I know someone that lives 350 meters from my sons school who didn't get in!

Good luck http://www.keyforex.info/g.gif