Secondary School Admissions

Jet

Commiserations to those who haven't got the place they wanted and congratulations to those who have.

I'm hearing a lot on the news about new admissions policy this year, but don't really understand what's changed.

I'm going to be going through this for secondary school for my son next year and I'm worried. I'm trying to move house to get out of this town simply because the secondary school is awful. All the other schools around the area are massively over subscribed and I know I have absolutely no chance of getting him in if I don't move to the area. It's all very well saying that we have a choice, but it seems to me that if you live in my area, you have no choice at all. :rolleyes:

jimsmum

good luck all and comiserations to thoe who havn't got what they wanted.
I do not understand this process and to be fair havn't heard of it, i must live in an area that don't do this.We just choose a school and send them their

sunnyflower

3KIDSNOMONEY wrote: »

i am so useless at standing up in front of people and my OH isn't much better - going to try and get hold of a copy of the book mentioned. really can't believe this - if it were to go on grades and ability my daughter is incredibly bright which makes it even more annoying.

It's worth ringing your chosen school and ask to go on the waiting list in case anyone drops out. Maybe arrange to see headteacher / deputy.
Write a letter, I did that once and got a phone call the next day offering my daughter a place at lower school, purely, I think because I made an extra effort.
If you appeal; throw everything at them!! Your daughter is bright, stress that you feel she would benefit at that school.
Does it have a specialism? Does that apply to your daughters interests / potential achievments?
Look at the schools ethos / mission statement. Demonstrate you have a knowledge of the school.
Say it's easier to get her there because of you / your husbands job.
Has she got friends going there?


It's a dog eat dog process, so unfair, I've been through appeal system twice,
(one successful, one not). It's nerve wracking, and makes a joke of so called parental choice.

My last appeal was over 5 years ago, but I still remember the worry, and I feel for all of you who are in this awful position now.

Zziggi

sunnyflower wrote: »

It's a dog eat dog process, so unfair, I've been through appeal system twice,
(one successful, one not). It's nerve wracking, and makes a joke of so called parental choice.

The choice there is, is hobsons choice. There's been something about the so-called parental choice on the BBC website that i read only this morning. There sin't REAL choice in most cases. I got my DS into my desired school which i was soo pleased about. i thought that, despite being out of the catchment area, i would have no problem getting DD into the same school on the "sibling ticket". However due to local boundary changes, new housing estate etc etc. It became painfully obvious to me after september's intake that even having a sibling in the school was certainally no guarantee. The school told me they expect not to accommodate even all the catchment area kids who have already expressed interest - nevermind the parents who hadn't! (my LEA puts catchment above siblings). The Head's only suggestion was to buy a house right opposite the school (as one teacher did to get their child in only 6 months earlier!). So i made the difficult decision to more DS to my less favoured (but still reasonable results, OFSTED etc) catchment area school and I am not expecting to have a problem with DD now. However, I know i am just lucky that my catchment school is half-decent although it is not my preferred school.

3KIDSNOMONEY

OH has rang the school and they have already sent out appeal packs to everyone who didn't get a place. Another child who lives about 3-4 miles nearer than me has got in - all his other criteria is the same as ours so hopefully this works in our favour, and means that we are not too far down the list. going to get to school early to see who else got in. i know people who have moved house to get into this school but this isn't an option for us.

Hope lots of your have been successful - the whole process seems so daft.

Luk_on_the_brightside

Has any1 received an school place via email yet??

Im still waiting! cant stand it any longer - oldham councils website says it sends online app results on 1st march im just wondering if i should call them

Mrs7ones

I received my letter in the post this morning. DD has the place in the school we wanted.
Big sigh of relief from me

carolpinkdreamer

3KIDSNOMONEY wrote: »

got my letter- daughter has 'no current offer' at chosen school and has instead been given a place at a school i would never send her to. can't stop crying and not sure what to do. gonna have to appeal but failing that i really don't know where i will send her. gutted.

Oh god, poor you! I think I'll be in same position very soon. I've rung our council and they're posting them today 2nd class post!

tilly's_mum

Originally Posted by 3KIDSNOMONEY
got my letter- daughter has 'no current offer' at chosen school and has instead been given a place at a school i would never send her to. can't stop crying and not sure what to do. gonna have to appeal but failing that i really don't know where i will send her. gutted.

So sorry to hear your daughter didn't get a place - the same happened to my daughter a few years ago - she didn't get her third chioce. I agree with Sunnyflower about throwing everything at them at appeal - the school I wanted was a church school, was a language school, easy to get to as there was a bus from around the corner, her friends were going to this school and nobody was going to the school we were offered. In the end we didn't have to go to the hearing as she was offered a place a few days before.

Good Luck

RainbowChild_2

Well here we are in the same boat as 3kidsnomoney! So it's appeal for us too