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Parents Buy School Appeals Advice

9 replies

uwila · 06/03/2006 14:25

Not sure if I think this is a good or bad thing (probably bad) but as I know there are peopl on here who either or are about to get notification that their kids didn't get a place, I thought I'd post for conversation...

\link{http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4768284.stm\Parents Buy School Appeals Advice}

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uwila · 06/03/2006 20:43

I can't believe nobody wants to discuss this.

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GDG · 06/03/2006 20:50

Wow, that's interesting Uwila - I didn't realise such a service was available!! I hope I never face an appeal situation but I guess if I was desperate I'd do anything - although in principle I guess it's a bad thing as it's just another way to 'buy' education.

However, every parent does what they have to for their own child - their child comes first of course - like private education or buying into a catchment area. We bought our house for reasons other than school but the outstanding primary school was a key reason for wanting to be in the catchment - it doesn't come cheap so I guess some might argue I 'bought' education too?

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uwila · 07/03/2006 08:58

I agree, if push came to shove as a parent I would probably do everything I could to get my kids into the best possible schools. But it is a sad day when we have to hire a consultant to get our kids into acceptable state schools.

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HenniPenni · 07/03/2006 09:33

Had my DD not got into her first choice school we would willingly have paid for a consultant to help with the appeal.

we also moved house to ensure that our DDs got into a decent primary school. I agree that that is also paying for your childs education, we have been extremely lucky, other parents haven't.

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DominiConnor · 07/03/2006 12:31

I know of lawyers being used on more than one occasion. Not sure about "consultants".

The problem is of course that many schools are so bad I'd go hungry to make sure my kids din't go to one.
It's not a "choice" thing at all is it ?
To me "choice" is where you pick a school that has a particular style that fits your kid. Actually "choice" means middle class parents not sending their kids to crap schools.

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Jennypog · 08/03/2006 09:43

I always think it is so easy to criticise other people when you are not in the situation yourself. If someone offers to help you for a modest fee and you believe that it will work and is cost effective for you, of course you will go for it.

I am just a little suspicious of so called "experts" who love to take your money off you. What qualifications does this man think he has to be successful in school appeals? Surely the appeal panels would start to wise up on this when they keep seeing the same face in front of them? I know nothing of appeal panels, but it seems obvious that the panels wouldn't like parents trying to play the system.

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uwila · 09/03/2006 09:11

Jenny, I'm not sure who your comment is directed at. But, I didn't mean to criticise parents. Yes, absolutely I might pay this if had the need/desire to get my kid into a school that turned him/her down.

I think the bad thing is that the education system has gotten into such a state that this is required.

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Jennypog · 09/03/2006 11:24

uwila

I am not directing my comment at anyone in particular - did I offend you?

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uwila · 09/03/2006 11:49

No. I just thought that maybe you thought I posted this having a go at parents who would use this service. And I just wanted to make sure you knew that was not my intent at all.