changing schools

Hi all,

I am after some advice regarding changing my children's schools.

Basically, due to the financial settlement, I will need to move with the kids into rental accommodation. In my area, rents are very high and frrankly out of my reach. I am thinking of moving about 5 miles away where the rental costs are approx £250pm cheaper. This will however mean changing the kids school as we will be out of catchment.

I have looked at other optons like them using public transport but this would cost £100pm, and is not practical for one daughter. Also they would be in a different school to all their local peers.

My ex will strongly oppose the move but will I need his permission? If he does apply for a PSO, what are his chances? The children also have a court appointed guardian who understand the position.

FWIW the school is a good school, not as good as their current school but still an achieving school.

Thanks for your help

GMS

If the guardian agrees it's the only sensible option, it's wildly unlikely that the court would disagree. Stability and security at home will be more important to the children's development than the difference between the schools.

My ex will strongly oppose the move

GMS is this the same ex who does not want to stay on the mortgage and is trying to force you and your children (one disabled) out of their home even though with CM, SM etc you can pay the mortgage, keep the kids settled etc etc?

He sounds like a control freak who, for whatever reason, is trying to "punish" you - and in doing so is going to cause yet more major disruption to his children's lives.

I know you don't want to go to FH but I really think you have no choice. A judge who has heard the evidence and seen him perform in court would hopefully see straight through him and put the needs of the children top of the list. I would strongly recommend you find the wherewithal to instruct a barrister directly and also do all you can to build a strong case for you staying in the FMH at least while the children go through education .. and for you to have sufficient share and SM to be able to buy a place for you and your disabled daughter when the house is eventually sold.


My assessment, on reflection, of what you said about the FDR recommendations is that the judge in awarding you all the (small - 30k) equity plus 36% of the pension was trying his/her best to maximise the amount of assets you could have. I suspect that the £40k in shares he admitted to on the day of the FDR was not factored in to this direction as it was probably a conclusion reached by the judge without this information.

Stay strong.

Hadenoughnow

hadenoughnow

Just to put into context for you - this is the ex who left because I didn't pay enough attention and drove him into the arms of another woman, who then made an offer to me that 'we stay as we are', he would help me out financially. When I said no and started divorce proceedings, he stopped paying anything and said what was to come was all my own fault and I would be forced to accept his scraps (his words). Unfortunately, he turned out to be right.

He continually insults and degrades me with words. Because of this I refuse to engage with him any longer and now I'm the bad parent for refusing to 'work' with him! He reported me for emotionally and physically abusing my children ­base­d on an arguement he had with my teenage daughter and injuries 'not consistant' with my account. Hence the guardian. The report however said I was fine and he was the problem.

To top it all, I got a call today from said Guardian that he is applying for an emergency residency order ­base­d an another arguement with my teenager. She didn't want to speak to him which in his eyes means I obviusly came home and shared the results of the proceedings with her. The reality is that she was with her friends and he won't buy her a new phone so she's peed off!!

I don't really think I can go on with any proceedings. He got me to such a point earlier in the year that I broke down and could not stop crying, was signed off work etc. He told me to do everyone a favour and kill myself.

GMS

You are clearly well ahead of the game in the Children Act application. Unless the guardian says your daughter should move, it's just not going to happen. He merely exposes himself as the thoroughly unpleasant and manipulative individual he sounds to be.

May I ask why a father ­object­ing to a school move makes him unpleasent and manipulative. May be it isn't practical but if it was a good school and the incatchment area schools were bad I would be ­object­ing but I don't see why exressing my view would make me unpleasent and manipulative.

James53

Perhaps you have not read the history. The main reason for the school and house move is because I have to leave the FMH and cannot afford to rent in the area.

I would dearly love to stay in the town I live. My daughter is autistic and the move, both house and school, will be a major trauma for her.

It was her father's decision not to contribute any further to our income and not to agree to a mesher. THAT is the cause of the move. Thus ­object­ing to the move is therefore manuipulative and unpleasant given that his actions caused it. He is an exceptional high earner and could easily pay maintenance to ensure we stay in the FH or even rent in the area but he says that is out of the question.

And please understand, as I said the school I propose to move them to IS a good school.

GMS