The extent people would go to get into the school of their choice often goes beyond reason with some parents separating for a while for one of them to move closer to the school they want for their kids to provide that precious proof of address necessary to apply, others suddenly find God hoping to get into the better rated religious schools and the bravest just fake it risking prosecution. It actually happened in Northwest London where a woman has been prosecuted for faking separation from her husband and providing a false address (source- The Telegraph).

The recession has caused a lot of parents that would normally favour a private primary school to opt for a good state school so even in sought after areas like Richmond and Wimbledon (West London), traditionally good for schools, good state options are now oversubscribed. I’d like to share this interesting and very worrying article I read on the Telegraph on Saturday titled The Great School Scam as it is very close to home and I am sure a hot topic on every parents’ mind.

The article points out how two thirds of local authorities have reported a surge in primary-school applications, while the number of children aged five to seven in classes bigger than the legal limit of 30 has risen to 10,010, more than double the 2007 figure of 4,280. In London, 25 out of 33 boroughs are unable to cope with demand.

My 5 year old has started his primary education in Italy where state primary schools are a dream compared to what I have been reading about UK schools, from the number of pupils in classrooms and the level of education, to the extra curriculum activities and school meals. We’ll be returning to London in the near future for my husband’s work commitments are making his work trips more and more frequent, but I am very concerned about the kind of school place my son will be offered with a late application. My plan was to move to West London where I knew the schools are good, but after reading this article I am not so sure anymore.