Making the school applications process easier!

[mumonawire80]

Hi,

Back again. So having found the school applications process so frustrating I have managed to get a meeting with my local council and could really use your help.

I have a very quick questionnaire I have created and would really appreciate it any of you could spare a minute or two to fill it out for me. I’m thinking about the things that are most important to us parents when it comes to making these decisions.

Here’s the link. As I said, it would be great if you could spare a few minutes of your time. :-)

bccweb.typeform.com/to/ENVTSm

Much appreciated!

[soontobemrsmckeown]

Done

[Totallyoutoforder]

Done

[mumonawire80]

thanks every so much!

[mumonawire80]

Thank you for all of those who have managed to fill it in so far. The more I get the more of an impact we can make. I'm hoping the ripples will be felt by other councils too.

[Phineyj]

The main features that are important for me are I) whether my child has the slightest hope of getting in 2) the type of education on offer (round here 11+ is an option but only the private schools prepare for it) and 3) whether the wrap around care will enable me to get to my job. The other aspects you mention are rather unimportant compared to 1) and 3) for many people in the SE I suspect, and 2) is pretty important in Kent. I find it annoying that councils do not provide info on wrap around care or what % of parents at a school access it.

However, good luck with your campaign - councils certainly vary in how well they communicate.

[mumonawire80]

Thanks Phineyj. Very insightful.

[mumonawire80]

Morning all,

Does anybody else feel that the odds of getting your children into the school is a major factor? How about the wrap around care that Phineyj mentioned?

[motheroreily]

Yes definately agree my top criteria is there any chance of me getting a place and is there after school provision.

[mumonawire80]

thanks motheroreily :-)

[CruCru]

Done.

[99percentchocolate]

I don't know what other councils are like but my local one seems to do it pretty well - they publish lists every year going back a few years showing number of spaces, the criteria that was met with last child admitted (eg if out of catchment child was admitted, only up to sibling, or all applied offered) and the furthest distance away accepted. Really helpful and fantastic for being able to manage preferences/arrange visits.

[99percentchocolate]

Also agree with pp about wrap around/after school clubs. One school I visited yesterday revealed that they only had space for 26 children out of over 300 at after school club. One parent said she wouldn't have bothered with the visit if she'd known that.

[mumonawire80]

thanks everyone

[Phineyj]

That is crazy 99 percent. I wonder how they decide who gets them and if they have to reapply each term/year?

[LibrariesGaveUsP0wer]

I've done the survey. But I agree. My most important criteria were:
-chance of getting in

• ethos and atmosphere
  
• wrap around care
  

Some of those will be totally irrelevant to a lot of people too - I don't think my area has any single sex primary schools.