How to Move Schools When Moving House

Moving house? Research schools early, apply in advance, and support your child's transition for a smooth educational change.

A house move can be very stressful for not just the adults in the family but also the children. There is so much to consider, and it can easily become a nightmare.

Before moving day, without even thinking about booking time off work or hiring/choosing a removal company, you might have to consider the fact that you are moving to a new location. For children, moving house in this way can be extremely stressful, no matter what age they are, and some kids may struggle to adapt to their new home.

With a new location comes new schools, so it is important to make the transition as easy and seamless as possible. Help them prepare for the move early on – look for schools in your new area and get them to participate in the decision. You will, of course, want the best school possible, so you will need to do some research. The last thing you want is to cause a delay in your children’s education because you couldn’t prepare yourself in time and submit the relevant application form.

Please also contact your child’s school to let them know that you are leaving and that you are looking to move schools to your local area.

How Can I Find The Right School?

Firstly, you will want to research what schools are in the area. Do this while your kids are still at their current schools to avoid any delays or breaks in their education.

Try to arrange for them to start the new school at the beginning of a new term or academic year so the transition is slightly calmer. Moving during term time can be really tough on a child.

Once you have a few ideas, look at what people say. Ask around on local Facebook groups, look up Ofsted ratings and see if you can get feedback from students, parents, or staff. You should also visit the UK Department of Education website and look at their statistics – you will be looking for their exam results, attendance, and many other things. With eight out of ten schools rated as Good or above by Ofsted, you will need to research to find the right one for your child.

Helping Children Prepare

It is important that your children are used to the idea of moving house and moving schools before the actual move before you start packing. It will be a big upheaval for them to enter a new environment; understandably, they may struggle with this a little.

The welfare of your children should always come first, so make sure you provide support for them both before and after the move. At least 15 school days before the moving date, show them where you will be moving to and maybe even let them explore the local area so they can get a feel for the place.

Applying For Schools

Depending on how far you are moving, you might find that the local authority for your new area has a different rule for school admissions than where you are currently. Sometimes you need to apply through the local authority, other times the school handles these directly. You should apply at least six weeks before the day you want your children to start – although applying much earlier than this is suggested to be sure of a place. The application process is the same whether you are looking for primary or secondary schools.

Not all applications are successful, so you will want to make a few to ensure you definitely get a school in your area. When applying, you should give proof of your new address. With a new home, there is plenty of paperwork, so finding a document with the new address should be easy. A tenancy agreement or a solicitor's letter confirming is a good document. However, don’t use a fraudulent address, as they will find out!

The school application should also include their academic record, any important health information, and whether they have any special education needs.

Should you need to move mid-term, the research you do is even more important as they will need to help your child settle during term time. They can sort out a school start date, offer advice and help get your kids up to date with some planning.

My Application Was Denied

There are many reasons why an application for one of your preferred schools may be denied. They may feel that you live outside the catchment area, or the school may be oversubscribed, and you have been put on their waitlist instead. This is why it is important to apply to a few.

You can appeal to the admissions office if you believe that your application should not have been denied. Certain staff members – whether at the school or at your local authority– will assess this appeal and may ask you to show why this school is a better fit than others. If this particular school offers clubs or extracurricular classes that your child would join and other schools don’t, this is the time to mention them.

Don’t forget the council is legally obliged to help find you a suitable option for your child. Whilst they may offer you one that you don’t want, do your research before turning it down and appealing to another school on your shortlist. Applying for a school during a house move may seem crazy, but with these tips, you should be well prepared.