No reception class in school in 2015

[Ninsgoldenberry]

My 5 year old did currently goes to a local faith school- free school. The school opened in 2010 and currently has a reception classes and year 1 classes. We were told on the the 15th April that the school will not have a reception class in sept 2015 as they missed some deadline from the council who are now unable to release funds! The children are currently in portacabins although there is an established primary/secondary school next to it- and they are able to use the grounds. I am now wondering whether I should move my dad into another school. I'm not very happy with the schools current accommodation and have had very little communication from the school. Just a little background- the new school is next to very established faith school and my this new school is part of the same trust. Just don't know what to do! I have a phoned a local excellent school and they have spaces in the current reception. What shall I do? So confused

[Ninsgoldenberry]

Sorry the school opened in 2013 not 2010!

[PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom]

I would probably move her. I couldn't trust a school that badly organised!

[CharlesRyder]

I would move for sure.

[Tollygunge]

The danger of free schools! How can they mess up something so crucial?!

[Ninsgoldenberry]

Thanks. That's my 1st thought. The school has Been so crap on communication, no reassurance for parents or anything! I mean has anyone ever been to or heard of a school with a whole year group missing? What will this mean in the long term?

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

Arrange to visit the other school this week. If your happy I'd move her. She's very early in school career and it should impact on her adversely.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

Sorry you're not your

[GreenEggsAndNaiceHam]

I would move her as soon as possible. I would imagine other parents are considering moving their children too and the spare school places won't stay spare long.

[PesoPenguin]

I'd move her asap, I'd be worrying that this school won't last much longer...

[nlondondad]

But we keep being told that Free Schools are independent of the Local Council and are funded direct by the Government, so, unless this is an aspect of the poor comms you are talking about, not having a reception class is NOT the responsibility of the local council.

It seems more likely that they have had few, or even no, children being offered places in reception for this year.

[Ninsgoldenberry]

We were told that there was a delay in securing the permanent site for the school and to the work to deliver the new building. Apparently there is a loan secured against the site and this has not been paid off- this is in breach of the funding agreement with Secretary of State and the terms of the lease with the council. The council will not grant a lease until the loan is paid of and the EFA will not be able to start building works.
I know that a number of people did apply for reception places- the attached faith school is oversubscribed., around 350 applications for 90 places - and this school would have defiantly filled places had there been a reception class in 2015.

[ouryve]

It has the hastily cobbled together vibe of so many free schools, unfortunately.

I think you definitely need to look elsewhere.

[Ninsgoldenberry]

Yes my feelings exactly! It's just disorganised and the lack of communication really annoys me. I would rather move her now then wait until next year.

[DownWithThisTypeOfThing]

Sounds like your council is acting responsibly to me.

[Leeds2]

I would move her, and would also do so quickly because I bet a number of other parents are thinking of doing exactly the same thing.