Apologies, if title is wrong or misleading but this is how it seems....
My child's secondary school place has recently been not accepted even though he fits all criteria.
I applied online last year via my local councils website (as required and on-time). After going to see the school on opening day, we was given a form that needed to be filled in by myself, a priest confirming how many times he attends church and a copy of his baptism certificate. This is apparently the new admissions criteria as the school does its own admissions! Unfortunately, my mental health took a turn for the worst in the following months which then resulted in me being under the mental health crisis team around October when this form was due to be handed in. I received a text message from school reminding me that the form's deadline was in two days. Given everything that had happened in recent months, I had totally forgot about the form but filled it in and gave it to my eldest to take into school. I was under 24 hour care at home and was unable to leave my house so was therefore unable to go and get this form signed by the priest. Cut a long story short, the form was refused as it was incomplete. I contacted the school (2 working days after the deadline) to explain my current situation but was met with a woman who was neither empathic or understanding and was told that i missed the deadline...END OF BASICALLY! I explained that I had recently attempted suicide after having suicidal thoughts and this is why i was unable to get the form filled in by the priest as I was mentally unable to do so. Around a month later, I emailed the school expressing my dissatisfaction at the lady I spoke to, and also stating that I believe there should be certain circumstances in which deadlines should be exceeded. I personally think my situation was one of these circumstances!!! Anyway, got met with yet a robotic "whilst I sympathise with your situation, we have to adhere to the deadline policy". However, I was glad I just had something in writing confirming my side of the story, should this affect his place.
Fast forward to two weeks ago, I received an email stating that my child's place was not successful. I was confused at this seen as he has an older brother that goes to this high school, is he baptised, lives in close proximity and goes to the primary school which I think they call a leading or follow on school (don't quote me on that). In my eyes, he fits all criteria so was really confused! after contacting the school directly, I was told that he was not offered a place at the school due to this 'form' not being handed in. However, my friend did not put in this same form and her child will not have a sibling at this school come September, yet her child got offered a place!
I can not help but think this is personal, maybe because I complained????
I have appealed the correct way but have tried speaking to the school in the meantime but they are just not interested at all!
My question is.....Surely my circumstances of being under the crisis team is reasonable grounds to extend their so called deadline? I really don't understand in today's society, how people are still not understanding towards mental health!
I am sorry to rant, but this is affecting my mental health again and I feel like it is my fault my son has not been given a place :-(
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Is it right that my mental health has affected my childs school position?
49 replies
Desperatemum03 · 12/03/2020 16:31
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