Temp school places in the UK

[*Snowdrop* 603]

My daughter (4) and I are going back to the UK for 3-4 months but possibly longer next week to take care of my Dad after heart surgery.

I want her to go to school while we are there. I have emailed the local education authority and they told me to ask the schools directly. I have approached the one we want and explained to the head that I am looking for a temporary placement in their Reception class. She said that should be fine.

Does anyone know whether there is any reason why she would not qualify for a regular school place even though we are not planning to stay permanently?

She is a British citizen through me and we will be resident in the district for several months.

The precedent for short term placements include traveller children and forces kids, diplomat's kids who move schools regularly and between different countries within the school year.

Does anyone else have any experience with this?

[Cody and Daisy 373]

No one here is going to be able to really give you answers for that unless someone has done it themselves.

Instead of asking here, call local schools where your dad lives and ask them.

That is where you will find the real answers to help you.

[*Snowdrop* 603]

Well I as I said in my post - the local school we want her to go to says it's okay.

But the reason I posted here in the UK forum is because there may be a chance that someone has either done it themselves or has direct knowledge through their profession of the issues.

I have researched extensively online and can't find any indication that it's not possible. But I am interested in other people's experiences too.

This is a board full of multi national families who move and live between two countries - so there's a chance someone does have some extra insight.

Sometimes people on here are a lot more informed than officials employed at organisations.

[Cody and Daisy 373]

Well I as I said in my post - the local school we want her to go to says it's okay.

Then you already know that your child can attend the school.

But the reason I posted here in the UK forum is because there may be a chance that someone has either done it themselves or has direct knowledge through their profession of the issues.

There is a chance of that but it is slim considering this website is for those wanting to leave there home countries.

I have researched extensively online and can't find any indication that it's not possible. But I am interested in other people's experiences too.

Maybe contact the local council? They could give you the laws on the area to tell you if the school is correct?

This is a board full of multi national families who move and live between two countries - so there's a chance someone does have some extra insight.

Like I said it's mainly those who move to the usa or are trying to. Slim chance but you never know.

Sometimes people on here are a lot more informed than officials employed at organisations.

Well some people are more informed with some aspects because they have done it.

But every school board and district is different, so what may have happened in one area of the country could be different in another.

I honestly think your best bet is to contact the local council. They will know more on their district area than people on here.

[Boiler 43,583]

You can be illegal and stil qualify.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

You can be illegal and stil qualify.

Yup sadly so.

[Boiler 43,583]

You do not know how long you are going for. Why even raise it?

[2ndMessiah 184]

My daughter (4) and I are going back to the UK for 3-4 months but possibly longer next week to take care of my Dad after heart surgery.

At 4 years of age, would it be fair to say your daughter is not even in kindergarden yet?

I know you will have your hands full looking after your father, but how hard would it be for you to home school (I see from your profile you are a journalist, so I assume a reasonable level of education on your part) the child and prepare her for the US education system when you return.

[whiteyadam 4]

Kids in the UK start school at 4.

My Fianceé and I put her daughter in school over here whilst she was visiting for 5 months on a tourist visa. There is absolutely no reason to be denied a place at a school unless A) The school does not have the capacity to take her or B) You are not inside the schools catchment area.

I just had to fill out a form and send it to my Local Authority who then got her a place in the school.

Kind regards,

[*Snowdrop* 603]

Kids in the UK start school at 4.

My Fianceé and I put her daughter in school over here whilst she was visiting for 5 months on a tourist visa. There is absolutely no reason to be denied a place at a school unless A) The school does not have the capacity to take her or B) You are not inside the schools catchment area.

I just had to fill out a form and send it to my Local Authority who then got her a place in the school.

Kind regards,

Thank you!

I knew someone on here would have done something similar - go VJ!

[*Snowdrop* 603]

At 4 years of age, would it be fair to say your daughter is not even in kindergarden yet?

I know you will have your hands full looking after your father, but how hard would it be for you to home school (I see from your profile you are a journalist, so I assume a reasonable level of education on your part) the child and prepare her for the US education system when you return.

If it was just academics I was worried about then I would definitely consider homeschooling but it's actually peer socialisation that I am looking for.

She already goes to preschool 3 x a week in the US and is a very social little girl - she asks to go to school every day and really misses her friends on the days she doesn't go.

She also responds really well to a regular routine so being able to go to school five days a week 9am-3pm should be a good fit.