Sorry for misjudging you, it's just se23.com has a bit of a reputation for controversial posts designed to get people a bit het up (I am thinking back to the 'should kids be allowed in cafes' debate and the infamous 'buggies on buses' argument....)

Of course you can have an opinion! was just surprised you were considering writing to the council.

It does seem unfair for all concerned I do agree. There are a lot of stressed and unhappy parents at the moment hoping to get a place for their children.

Most people I know who have moved away have moved their kids to a different school. The only cases I know where this hasn't happened is when the schools in the new area don't have places, so the parent has no choice but to stay with the school. I think siblings is a small part of the problem, the main issue is a genuine shortage of places, lots of house building, but no new schools being built.