Secondary School Admissions

tamarto

I hope not, i live very close to one secondry but a bus journey from the other.

I'd pressume as you have no choice if the distance qualifies the child for transport then it will be paid for you.

Jet

tamarto wrote: »

I hope not, i live very close to one secondry but a bus journey from the other.

I'd pressume as you have no choice if the distance qualifies the child for transport then it will be paid for you.

But currently if you choose a school outside of your "catchment" area, you have to pay for transport. Who will pay when you are forced to go to a school outside of the area? I can't see the government paying the £40 per week for each child.

tamarto

Jet wrote: »

But currently if you choose a school outside of your "catchment" area, you have to pay for transport. Who will pay when you are forced to go to a school outside of the area? I can't see the government paying the £40 per week for each child.

Well that's the point presently you choose, therefore you should be expected to pay. If it is no longer your choice they will have to pick up the bill, how can they expect someone on a low income to be able to afford it through no fault of their own.

scat

silvercar wrote: »

Home schooling is not something that should be decided on a whim based on failing to get a particular school when you are emotionally distraught.

It should be a decision made with full and propert thought because it is in the best interests of the child and having regard to the family situation.

The vast majority of people posting on this thread about their school allocation have already made a decision not to home school and hence their application. Throwing in the idea that you can home school as a reaction to not getting the school of choice is naive.

Responding to that on a purely personal note, I wouldn't presume to speak for others! , it wouldn't be a 'whim'.

A whim, quoting dictionary.com! , is an odd or capricious notion or desire; a sudden or freakish fancy.

There's nothing odd about having a back-up strategy in place. This isn't an emotional response but a logical one.

In an ideal world all schools would provide an acceptable level of education. The reality is they don't. I don't believe in accepting second best. If the school offered isn't of a standard I consider to be acceptable then my child won't go there.

In my area there is only one school in the vicinity that I consider to be acceptable. This was my first, and only, choice.

Home schooling is my back up plan. It wouldn't be an ideal option, I don't want to give up work as I enjoy it, but would certainly be a better option than settling for a school that would not afford my child the level of education that I expect.

That's not naive - quite the reverse! ( oh and for the record I'm a teacher :rotfl: )

poppyscorner

Very pleased DS got where he wanted to be.

I will be tickled pink if that happens for us when its my DS' turn our local school is awful 39% of kids leave with 5 grade A-C a terrible number. The cathlic one has a 100% rate so its a no brainer for me

My Ds like yours goes to catholic school because it is better he is not confirmed either we are catholic but not practising at all so we are thinking of baptism not just for the school reasons but because he enjoys the religion side of things and actively encourages me to attend school mass which I do am still trying to decide on it though.
As like others have said its a big commitment however I have to admit there is something about the mass sessions that appeals to me I feel like I belong but don't know anything about it so we have a lot to think about

Jaiden_2

Hello everyone, i'm new to these boards even tho i've been a lurker for a while, and came here in search of someone else in my boat. I've been freaking out about sending my daughter to secondary school even tho it hasnt been giving her any concern at all! kids eh!;)

So i checked online last night even tho the results were not due until 8.30 this morning and was very happy to see that she had got her first choice and not only that, but her 3 best friends and cousin all got in too:j . I had my appeals speech already thought out in my head and failing that i was gonna get on my knees and beg because its the only school that i wanted her to go to.

Sadly tho we know of a few who didnt get their first choice and even one friend who put down 6 schools and didnt get any of them!:eek: . I really hope it works out for the people on here who didnt get their first choice or have to appeal.

Ps please forgive my newbishness but what on earth does DD, ds, ds1 and so on mean cos for the life of me i cant work it out???

shykins

well mine took and passed the 11plus but hasnt got a place at the local grammar...approx 700 apply for about 100places and seems people in neighbouring counties have places but we dont <sigh>

aah well big up local comp time i spose,,, still they have us as parents they will do well wherever they go bless them

x

poppyscorner

Jaiden wrote: »

Ps please forgive my newbishness but what on earth does DD, ds, ds1 and so on mean cos for the life of me i cant work it out???

DD = dear daughter, DD1 dear daughter 1 or first born daughter, DS = Dear Son, DH = Dear husband, OH = other half

Those are the main ones used here and some still confuse me

silvercar

well mine took and passed the 11plus but hasnt got a place at the local grammar...approx 700 apply for about 100places and seems people in neighbouring counties have places but we dont

Don't give up hope. We were 80th on the waiting list of the grammer school a few years back and got our place witihn 3 weeks. A lot of people aiming for private schools encourage their children to sit for the grammer school as practice for entrance papers.

The reality is they don't. I don't believe in accepting second best. If the school offered isn't of a standard I consider to be acceptable then my child won't go there.

But second best would appear to be home schooling!

I'm all for home schooling for the right child, usually those that appear a little fragile at 11, but to keep a child at home and therefore limiting social contact compared to their peers, just because you didn't get your first choice school seems unfair on the child and the family.

but what on earth does DD, ds, ds1 and so on mean

DD= darling daughter

DS1=darling son 1 (the eldest presumably)

OH= other half

SIL=sister in law

silvercar

If you are over 3 miles from the nearest appropriate school that can allocate you a place, the county council has an obligation to provide transport.

This could be in the form of a bus pass for public transport, a seat on a school coach or a mileage payment for the parent to provide transport.

If you choose to go further afield thean the nearest appropriate school you won't get any payment/ transport provision though some councils will let you pay to use their coach services if there are free places.