HELP PLEASE - LONG SORRY!!!!

[LesbianMummy1]

My daughter had her letter to say she has not gained a place at the junior school she wanted because we are out of catchment and although her infant school feed into the junior school there were too many applications under her criteria for getting in so they have used distance and we are too far away has anybody else had similar experience and got any tips on appeal?

We wish to appeal as she attends infant school out of catchment due to us her parents receiving homophobic abuse when we lived next door to our catchment school which is infant and juniors we had to move house as a result but unfortunately are still same catchment school. The school she is at now is 1 mile exactly from home the junior school is 1.25 miles away.

My daughter has been awarded a place at another junior school but I am not convinced is the best school for her for a start head teacher doesn't like people to be differen e.g. from ethnic minorities. She has got a few friends going there but not close friends also the times will be difficult to collect my youngest from nursery he has just got in which is best nursery in city so huge achievement to get him in there and feeds onto infant school my daughter is leaving which i want him to attend next year

Has anybody got any ideas on how to boost our appeal many thanx

[LesbianMummy1]

bump

[blametheparents]

Have you fully checked the admission criteria?
At our Infant/Junior school the 1st criteria is whether you are at the Infants school. Children who are get first choice at the Junior school.
How is it that there was/is enough room for her at the Infants school (which has a statutory max of 30 per class) but not at the corresponding Junior school (which, incidentally, does not have a statutory max nbr of children per class)?
Is she the only child affected?
Are there any children who have got a place at the Junior school who do not attend the Infant school?

[LesbianMummy1]

criteria are:
1)children in care
2)medical reasons)
3)religious or philosophical reasons
4)catchment area)
5)outside catchment with sibling at school who will still be there next year
6)outside catchment attending infant feeder school
7)outside catchment not at feeder school

only know of one other who is not going as same criteria as us apparently cut off distance was 0.459 miles they are 0.499 miles as i say we are 1.25 miles away

[LesbianMummy1]

anybody - please

[clam]

What makes you think that the Head "doesn't like people who are different?"

[LesbianMummy1]

it gives reasons to appeal as cases to consider for last few spaces head at other school is known for this also when we went to look at school she said to a group of us that they have children who speak x ammount of languages but they have to put up with that because of the area they are in my daughters infant school is round corner but they use it as a positive aspect of the school not a negative

[Spidermama]

Can I ask where you are?
It might be worth contacting local press to tell your story.

[LesbianMummy1]

portsmouth am gonna contact my local councillors for advice as two of them helped us move and are aware of the situation

[clam]

The thing is, you might be on dodgy ground if you imply during an appeal that the Head of the school you've been given is prejudiced in some way. I agree that her remark re: languages was possibly indicative that she's not totally inclusive in approach, but am not sure that would stand up in court, as it were.

[LesbianMummy1]

would not use that would use fact daughter has firm group of friends at school we want would aid her through any bullying etc also time needed to collect my son from nursery would have 5 minutes at other school and is at least 5 minute walk if they let daughter out on time other school would have 15 minutes and also 5 minute walk

[beautifulgirls]

Have you contacted the school directly to get her on a waiting list? It is possible for some reason someone may not take up a place that has been offered and you may get lucky on that too.

[LesbianMummy1]

yes was first parent to do that however the school have said they still have to use the same admissions policy really depressing 2 years ago my friend got her daughter in from same infant school and they lived more like 10 miles away

[pollywobbledoodle]

can you appeal on philosophical grounds....re previous abuse?

[cockles]

another lesbian mummy here. do you know any other gayfamilies who have been at the school you want? that might be an argument for 'social need' tho I suspect that has to be aplied before admission decision and poss. not after appeal. Otherwise you will have to go for waiting list & start at other school - distance not an easy criteria to fight. good luck

[LesbianMummy1]

pollywobbledoodle bit thick here but how would that work don't really understand how to use philosophical grounds

[pollywobbledoodle]

sorry, i misread op, thought the abuse was from people linked to school......

may be instead of arguing that one school is intolerant you could that the other has demonstrated tolerance and inclusiveness that is vital given previous experience?

Did you put anything about your circumstances on the application form?

[LesbianMummy1]

not on form as no space to put any reasons but attached letter stating our reasons have reread appeals proceedure and it says appeals body can admit above schools limit too apparently last year nobody appealed even though it was oversubscribed so figure i have nothing to loose by trying

[pollywobbledoodle]

haven't had to do this so no expert
good luck!

[Smee]

Go and talk to whatever set up there is centrally at the council for admissions. Haven't a clue what it's like in Portsmouth, but where we are they're a nice sympathetic bunch, and know how the system works, so might know of a way you can appeal. I agree though, waiting list may be the answer - kids quite often move. What number on the list are you? They have to tell you that, don't they?

[LesbianMummy1]

letters only came out today I found out yesterday as had applied online so went straight there don't think they will tell me what number on waiting list as first to hand in form but as i say they still use criteria above for waiting list

[brainfreeze]

Were any authorities involved during the abuse? police etc?

You could use their report if so to help appeal.

[LesbianMummy1]

yes police and councillors to aid us with move as well as domestic abuse department from hospital as it was classed as that for some reason that good idea thankyou

[TooFoggy]

go on the waiting list asap

[NewTeacher]

you can try and appeal but unfortunaltely they will use the rule that they cannot have more than 30 kids in a class as its illegal and you have no real grounds for appeal as the council have processed your application fairly.

I know it sounds harsh but its true. Have a look at alternative schools and get your name down on CI lists.

We had the same problem as you having one child at nursery the opposite end of town from the allocated school. Council dont care and its not a ground for appeal!

Wish you luck and hope your child gets into a good school.