Surf1

We had a 16yr old at the time and they went into a state school ok. Then off to uni as a domestic student 

We were exactly in the same boat as you. We did not keep a property in the uk. Some universities classified our 19yr old as domestic others as international. This determined where our child went as we needed student loan (which we got). Since Brexit I expect there is more competition by universities to grab students  so may be some more options for you hopefully 

If you have been lucky enough to keep a house in the uk while away then you can get round the rules. The processes appear to be pretty dysfunctional and vary between different universities. Unfortunately a system that favours the more wealthy in society