infant school admissions advice needed

[fireflym]

hi, I wondered if anyone had any advice or knows where I can get advice about my child's school placement offer. He is currently in a nursery within a school and has been there since he just turned 3. I assumed that he would be able to go to this school because he was already there and it is our nearest school, only 5 minutes walk away from our home, and so did everyone else I asked as my nephew had gone there too and lives further away (with no other siblings there, etc). When the admissions were due in, I had applied him to this school straight away, but thought I will leave it and look around at other schools before I put others as backup, with lots of people saying you only need one anyway as he would get in. Anyway, when the deadline passed in January I didn't get the back up schools added in time as we had a death in the family two weeks before, and I had to spend a lot of time helping with arrangements and emotional support. I know that's not an excuse but as well because of how the death happened I ended up going to my doctor around the same time as the deadline to ask with help for depression and anxiety because of the death (unfortunately the healthcare where I live is awful and I still waiting months later for counselling sessions- so is the person who is the closest linked to it) all the while my anxiety/depression has gotten much worse. I did state that this is hindering my everyday life and I get anxious taking my child to nursery (even though I do manage to most days), I have asked for help everywhere but there is none for this. And now that he has not got in to his current school, the only place they have offered me is a place that takes 40 minutes to walk to (I can't drive) with no bus route to it, where there are many closer other schools. I don't know what to do as I know the longer journey will make my anxiety worse and I don't want to completely uproot my son from his school as his nursery really is part of the school as he has already had a horrible year losing someone close and I just don't know if there is anything I can do at all to help as this is my first child and I am completely lost as how to appeal, what to say, where to ask, and what to do, as it is hard to do things at the moment anyway. Sorry for the long post, I just thought maybe someone might have some advice so I can know what is best to do for my child. Thank you.

[prh47bridge]

I'm assuming you are in England.

You can appeal if you wish. Your chances of success depend on the size of classes in Reception, Y1 and Y2. If any of those classes have 30 pupils (or would if the school was full) this would be an infant class size appeal. This means you should only win if a mistake has been made and you should have been offered this school. I can't see anything in your post that indicates a mistake but you can still try even if there is no evidence of a mistake. Sometimes a mistake is discovered in the hearing and there is a remote chance you will get a sympathetic appeal panel that will find a way of admitting your son even when they shouldn't.

You also need to make sure your son is on the waiting list for your preferred school. You may get a place that way.

If the offered school is over 2 miles away by the shortest safe walking route the council must supply free transport for your son to get to and from school. Note that they do not have to provide transport for you to accompany him.

[Almostapril]

There is lots of advice on the primary ed board