School appeals - help offered

icecubequeen

I wish I had seen this thread months ago :mad:

To say I'm having trouble getting my son into a school is an understatement.

To start from the beginning..

When both of my sons were born I registered them with the best primary school in the area and recieved confirmation by letter that they had been registered.

Come the time my eldest was due to start nursery there, I recieved a letter saying there was no room for him at the nursery, but he would be able to join the school when it was time for him to start reception.

I then moved house, and moved to a village outside the town. I thought it was then better to apply for another school a bit nearer. I went into the school spoke to the headmaster who said "leave it to me, and I'll get it sorted" That was last year. (I had also forgotten to take their names off the original school, so in theory they were still registered at the first school)

I still hadn't heard anything so I rang the school, they said they would get back to me, that was about 2 mths ago now.

In the meantime I contacted the council, they informed me that I was meant to contact them about school places, not the school itself, I didn't know this and no one had informed me of this. They looked on their system and neither of my sons were registered at either school I had their names down for :eek: So the first school, had no details of them, eventhough they had been in contact with me (unfortunately I lost the letters they sent:mad:)
and the 2nd school, had't done anything eventhough the headmaster, had said he would sort it for me.

The council sent me the form to fill in, which I quickly filled in with the 2 schools on it and sent back. Recieved a letter back yesterday saying he hadn't got into either, so yesterday I had a very upsetting day, it did make me cry, and in turn my eldest got upset aswell.

He has been offered a place in the next village, which I have avoided him going to, as it is probably the worse school in the area. I have been in contact with the council again, trying to find another school to place him at, and have asked for him to be put on waiting lists for both original schools.

My thoughts are now, should I appeal? I did have both of my sons registered at the first school since birth so surely I should have had a place allocated for them. Weird how they have suddenly lost all my details for both sons.:mad:

As for the 2nd school I would still like my kids to go there, but do I want to send my kids to a school with such bad organisational skills, I'm still waiting for the headmaster to get back to me about my sons place, eventhough the council have confirmed there is no room for this term

Sorry for such a long winded moan, but it has been going on for so long its hard to explain it any shorter.

Hels (upset, confused, and angry mum of 2 :rotfl:) xxx

Christmasshopper

linzz wrote: »

I stumbled across this thread when I had already submitted my appeal form. Our appeal hearing was on Tuesday and found out yesterday that we were unsuccessful! Looking at a few of the posts I think we were probably too personal at the appeal. I could have got letters from doctor and health visitor but didn't think we'd need them! Think I should have read 'the book' aswell. Felt ok yesterday but a bit down today.

Good to hear other people have had good news!

You can appeal once in each school year. So you could appeal again in September.
I'm sorry you weren't successful linzz. If you are thinking of another appeal it is worth buying the book.

Olivers_2

Hi Guys,

Totally new need advise.

I have sponsored from abroad my partners relatives (2 orphans under 16) to be cared for by us cos their mum just died of cancer and had no other relative in the country.

I have applied to nearest school and have to submit appeal docs cos the school is full.

Can I use these arguments in the appeal ?
both are girls and are vulnerable
both have gone through a traumatic time
1 has a stutte so high risk of bullying
Both have african accent when speaking english risk of bullying
1 school had a suicide cos of bullying earlier this year
both have been offered a plcae at different schools
these schools are 1mile and 2miles further than the preferred school
1 school had some incidents with racist attitudes
1 school is in an outer estate area where ethnic minorities are underrepresented. both schools dont have a representative governors board. the preferred school is representative
both attneded a faith school in their country
preferred school has high concentration of pupils from the same faith, unlike the other 2 schools offered

I dont have the current admission numbers in the school, dont know where I can get this?

any help appreciated. need to submit appeal docs by 4th jan.

Many thanks in advance

HappySad

Hello Oliver - no one so far has responded. You may want to read this thread then pm those who offered the support/info. Chances are they are no longer monitoring this thread....

Olivers_2

Thanks..Is there an online version of the Ben Rooney book, or other online material? I wont get it delivered in time for me, if I bought it now.Thanks again and happy new year!

HappySad

Sorry I don't think there are any online version. Could you get if from your library? My library had a copy of the book. YOu could go online to your local libraries websight and see if they have it.

Sarahsaver

Olivers sounds like you could use those points in your case. I am a school governor. If you do not want to say you can PM me, I would be interested to know what part of the country the school is in.
Get the admission numbers from the local authority website or OFSTED.

Christmasshopper

Olivers, I have just seen your post.
I would recommend looking at the school's admission policy online if you can. I think your children would be classed as looked-after children. Certainly in the county where I live, and I think lots of others, looked-after children get 1st priority.

HappySad

Below is part of my supporting letter given in during my school application. Will find out in a few months time whether it made a difference in allocating the desired school.


I am the mother of Xxxxx Xxxxx and I am registered disabled with xxxxx council. I am diagnosed with Bi Polar effective disorder and I am seen by consultant psychiatrist xxxx at xxxxxx Mental Health Services.

Xxxxxx school is in a unique position in being able to offer a full range of support at the required standard to meet my son particular needs. The reasons are as follows:

1. Xxxxx Xxxxx has a genetic predisposition to bi-polar disorder and therefore would benefit from a school that promotes strong mental health and self esteem.

2. Xxxxxx school has been able to demonstrate through its Ofsted report that it offers a full range of support at the required level that would support a child with this particular need.

3. I have detailed on a separate sheet titled "Representation for Special Consideration” (please find attached) how Xxxxxxx school’s unique range facilities would be essential for my son’s particular needs.

4. A child whose mother is experiencing a bi polar relapse requires significant support for low self-esteem and careful monitoring for potential adverse mental health.


I have enclosed a letter written by my consultant psychiatrist Dr Xxxxxxx to provide supporting evidence for my application to Xxxxxx School.

hoochi

to all you people who work in schools/admission etc is there any way i can get in touch with a teacher that no longer works at a school in order to get a written letter confirming bullying took place will the admin of that school have their address in old files is it worth taking them a letter asking them to pass it on, this teacher is my only hope thanks