Reason for preference?

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

I am currently applying for our DD to be admitted to junior school, year 6 in September. We bought a house in the catchment area and she and I will move in the summer. When I was looking at houses, I went and visited two schools that feed the senior we want her to go to. Both are faith schools, both are good, but one really impressed me over the other. I am not sure how to word the reason for preference box. The head of the less good school told me that she thought our DD would struggle to fit in as she's never lived in the UK . I also prefer the colour of the better school's uniform [shallow].
Any suggestions greatfully received.

[redskyatnight]

I don't think it matter at all really. Unless your DD has SEN that are catered for at 1 school and not the other, it will come down to which school (if any) has a place.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Thanks for the reply. DD doesn't have any SN and I know that the school I want will have two spaces available. I'd better get it into the post.

[prh47bridge]

The reason you give for your preference does not play any part in the admission process. The only exception would be if you had evidence that your DD should be in a higher admission category and there wasn't anywhere else on the form to put this information.

My personal view is that it is generally best to leave this box empty. There are circumstances in which the reasons you put can come back and bite you if you end up appealing for a different school.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Thanks for that. I did wonder about the biting me on the arse aspect if she didn't get into school one. School two may take umbridge if I write the head wears too much make up, her nails are too long and the uniform wouldn't suit DD.

[cory]

it's not just about the head taking umbrage: it would make you look very shallow and unworthy-of-being-taken-seriously if you ever do have to go to appeal.

I think it is helpful to look at this space from the LEAs pov: try to see it not as "why do I think school X looks nicer than school Y" but "why do I think the LEA should give my child priority for this school". These reasons don't have to be SEN, they can be social reasons, but they do have to be quite serious, and they do have to distinguish your child from the rest. After all, it is perfectly likely that all the mums in the neighbourhood prefer Head X's dress sense- that doesn't explain why your child should be given priority.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Sorry Cory, it was a joke. The reason I prefer school one is the head was much more positive about how my DD would fare considering she's never been in the British school system. Head two was virtually stating that she would fail. I know it won't be easy. Yikes.
The schools are equidistant from our house and both seem resourced equally well.

[prh47bridge]

It is more likely to bite you if, for example, your reason is that you want a faith school but then end up allocated a place at a rubbish faith school that you don't want and appealing for a place at a non-faith school. The panel would know what you put and would therefore question why you are now appealing for a non-faith school. The obvious answer is "because its better" but that won't help your appeal.

Of course, I hope you don't need to appeal.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Thanks, both the school have a really good ofsted report and both are feeders to the senior that we want DD to attend.
We've only got to break the news to DD that she'll be leaving her current school and not having her Daddy around full time for a year.