Secondary school admission appeal

jakkigers

Yesterday my granddaughter found out that she had not been offered any of her preferred secondary schools. She is in a small village school with only 11 pupils in her year. She is the only one who did not get offered her first choice of the nearest school. In addition, on our estate (where the kids attend different schools) she is the only one out of five who did not get offered the first choice school. The first choice school for the others is the same one that she wanted.

We want to appeal this but are wondering what grounds we may have and would appreciate any advice. I am of the opinion that being the only one going to the school she has been offered will lead to social isolation at a time when peer group support is very important. Apparently there are only 2 other kids from the village who attend the school she has been offered (both being older than her).

Transport is another problem. She can get a public bus in the morning but will have a 40 minute before she can get a bus home in the afternoon. Neither of her parents work anywhere near the school she has been offered. At her first choice school before and after school care was available from her nan.

I would appreciate any help that can be given. My granddaughter is devastated ... as are her parents and me!

74jax

jakkigers wrote: »

I am of the opinion that being the only one going to the school she has been offered will lead to social isolation at a time when peer group support is very important.

Transport is another problem. She can get a public bus in the morning but will have a 40 minute before she can get a bus home in the afternoon.

I'm not sure I understand your first comment? Why would she be isolated, is everyone joining the school at the same time or is she joining later?

For the afternoon could she do an after school club or go to the library to get homework out of the way?

jakkigers

I’m talking about out of school social inclusion ... none of the kids who will be joining the school she has been allocated are close enough to us for her to socialise with. I think local peer group support is important for a child’s wellbeing. We’re going to investigate after school activities for her ... but it’s more the inclusion aspect I am concerned about.

We live in a very small village with limited transport so peer groups are important. If she goes to a different school than everybody else in the village, this may have a detrimental effect ... even for discussing things learned at school if different subjects are taught differently.

74jax

jakkigers wrote: »

I’m talking about out of school social inclusion ... none of the kids who will be joining the school she has been allocated are close enough to us for her to socialise with. I think local peer group support is important for a child’s wellbeing. We’re going to investigate after school activities for her ... but it’s more the inclusion aspect I am concerned about.

We live in a very small village with limited transport so peer groups are important. If she goes to a different school than everybody else in the village, this may have a detrimental effect ... even for discussing things learned at school if different subjects are taught differently.

Thank you and apologies, I totally didn't understand you at first.

At the new school your grand child will make new friends regardless of whether the local friends are there or not. So in reality even if they all went to the same school, they would all be making new friends (at school), then come home to the small village and have local friends.

Out of school I very much doubt they'll be taking about subjects... Plus they will all have different teachers anyway. They won't all be taking the same gcse's etc.

You will find your grand child extends her friend circle and has school friends and home friends.

jakkigers

I am sure she will make friends at the new school ... but will then be unable to socialise with them out of school. Friends in home village will still all be at the same school ... yes they’ll make new friends but they’ll be from our home area.

Additionally transport to her preferred choice is provided. Transport to her allocated school is not ... it’s a public service bus which last year was withdrawn and although now reinstated, nobody knows how long for. The bus stop is a half hour walk away .., living in a village can be a pain,

We’re going to appeal on those grounds anyway. It’s difficult to explain to a 10 year old why she is the only kid in the school and home area that hasn’t been allocated to the school ...

flea72

On what grounds did she not get offered a place? Also where she is on the waiting list?

dancing_star

Best not to get negative and upset around her. If the appeal fails, and she knows her entire family think she'll have an awful time at the school and be isolated, with no friends, it'll be a self fulfilling prophecy and she in all likelihood will end up miserable.


Tell her it'll be fine from the start, it'll be an adventure, and she'll have a fighting chance of being absolutely fine.

74jax

dancing_star wrote: »

Best not to get negative and upset around her. If the appeal fails, and she knows her entire family think she'll have an awful time at the school and be isolated, with no friends, it'll be a self fulfilling prophecy and she in all likelihood will end up miserable.


Tell her it'll be fine from the start, it'll be an adventure, and she'll have a fighting chance of being absolutely fine.

Good idea. I didn't even think of that.

Definately explain life is all about making new friends etc. At the end of the day she'll maybe go to uni - maybe not - and most likely end up working away from the village anyway so although she is only 10, building a solid friend base over various sources - village / school / after school club etc - can only be good.

kingfisherblue

A friend's daughter chose to go to a school out of the area that they live - it offered a better music programme. She was the only child from her primary school to attend. In addition to being separated from her friends, she had to cope with public transport as well. Being a relatively quiet girl, it was obviously a bit of a concern to her parents, especially as she could have walked to either of the other two nearby schools with her friends.

Two years later, she is positively blooming. She has new friends and still keeps in touch with those who live nearby. She still attends Guides, although those who attended her primary school have given up. This weekend she is away with other Guides, from different groups - she knew nobody else going, but I'm sure that she will be having a great time.

I am sure that her parents' positive attitudes helped. I know that it was her choice, whereas your granddaughter is in a slightly different position, but if you embrace it as a chance to enlarge her circle of friends, she will be happier. If there is a Guide unit that she can attend, or any other club or group, it may be helpful to enrol her if she is interested. That way, she may meet some of the other new pupils at her new school beforehand. Also, her new school might arrange transition days or a holiday club for new pupils - some of our local ones do.

Look for the positive aspects of the situation, rather than the negative ones. I'm not saying that you shouldn't consider appealing, but please make your granddaughter feel safe and secure about her future education, even if she is in a different school than her current peers.

Hermia

74jax wrote: »

Good idea. I didn't even think of that.

Definately explain life is all about making new friends etc. At the end of the day she'll maybe go to uni - maybe not - and most likely end up working away from the village anyway so although she is only 10, building a solid friend base over various sources - village / school / after school club etc - can only be good.

I agree. I think teaching children not to have just one group of friends is positive re: learning to socialise. It also means they are less likely to stay in toxic friendships because they have other options.

I went to school in London and we didn't often socialise outside school as we all travelled in from different directions. In my street all the kids came from different schools and we rarely discussed school stuff 'cause it was boring! Also a lot of kids go to secondary school intending to stay friends with kids from their old school. But often they end up moving on to new friends within weeks.

OP - I think your granddaughter will need to make a bit more effort to keep in touch with her current friends, but if they are good friends and living near each other that surely won't be that hard? Are there are social groups in the village she can be involved in that will help there (e.g. something like Girl Guides).

jakkigers

Thanks for all the replies ... we’re being totally upbeat around her and telling her what an adventure it will be. If it comes down to it, then we’ll do all we can to ensure she’s happy ... that’s our major concern.

We’re being backed in the appeal by her headteacher and year teacher so who knows ... we may be successful but if not, we’ll do some reshuffling to ensure that she can be at school on time and get home easily. It’s just so difficult when you’ve got such disappointment to deal with ... suppose that’s just life.