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Original poster

How on earth do you manage to get your DC into an oversubscribed school?

57 replies

ripsishere · 09/06/2012 08:46

Due to a change in circumstances, we are moving to the LB of Sutton. I have four schools that I would like DD to go to, all have massive waiting lists.
We (that is she and I) moved from abroad, bought a house and got her into a feeder school for the oversubscribed school she was due to start in September.
DH was unable to find a job locally so we hare moving to London.
I went down for two days and stayed with a lovely MNer (thanks frank) and tried to find a house to rent.
Unfortunately, there were very few. I have got one, all that is needed is contracts signing. DH is still abroad so it will have to be done by email.
The point is HOW the actual fuck does one go about getting into a decent school at this late point in the year?

OP posts:
Original poster
ripsishere · 10/06/2012 11:58

at your sensible post tiggy. My DD is top of her class for English and maths but I don't know how good the rest of her class is ITMS.
She has always been at DHs schools, some great, some not so good. We came back from Belgium and got our house in order that she could go to feeder blah blah blah.
At least I can phone tomorrow and have a look on the net this afternoon for alternatives.
I'm not sure I want her to go to a single sex school anyway. There are pros and cons.

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tiggytape · 10/06/2012 11:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ripsishere · 10/06/2012 11:19

I will of course look at local comps. It was just that these were the stand out schools.
To complicate things, I've lost her baptism certificate. I took it to school last week for her preparation for confirmation mass. I think I left it in the pub.
I've emailed the church, but they haven't replied.
She was done in Oman.

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YouBrokeMySmoulder · 10/06/2012 10:57

They have a strict criteria based on date of baptism, attendance at feeder school, mass every week and then distance I think. Would be interesting to know what the waiting list looked like, you would come after people who lived a long way away though if they went to mass every week.

I would look at the local comps too.

Original poster
ripsishere · 10/06/2012 10:44

Baptised at three weeks, goes to a church school now and goes to mass on alternate weeks. I can't tolerate too much religion. DH is the god botherer and he lives in Belgium at the moment.
I haven't discounted ordinary schools, it's just that those were the ones suggested.

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YouBrokeMySmoulder · 10/06/2012 10:30

If she isn't outstanding then the grammars are out. St phils is quite a way away, was she baptised before her first birthday etc and have weekly mass attendance? Have you discounted normal schools like Cheam high?

Original poster
ripsishere · 10/06/2012 10:25

She is bright, but not outstandingly so.
I am interested in Nonsuch college, Wallington, St. Philomena's and one other.
I think she stands more of a chance with SPs, I can play the RC card there.

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tiggytape · 10/06/2012 10:23

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YouBrokeMySmoulder · 10/06/2012 10:18

Oh I see, yes that is tricky. I have no idea how in year admissions for the grammars work if that is the issue. Where else are you looking? Can you afford private until a place comes up?

AngelEyes46 · 10/06/2012 10:11

How does it work for grammar schools? Could rip try wallington girls (dd to take the exam outside the normal cycle)?

Original poster
ripsishere · 10/06/2012 10:04

Secondary. She is just 11 and will go into the first year of senior school.
We are renting in Worcester Park.

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YouBrokeMySmoulder · 10/06/2012 09:56

Rip are you talking primary or secondary? There is some movement at some schools especially in primary at prep age for boys. Whereabouts are you renting?

tiggytape · 10/06/2012 09:51

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ripsishere · 10/06/2012 09:46

I know, it's just the variability of the schools.
Unfortunately, there are some outstanding ones and people rent houses to enable them to apply Angry.
I went to the local area boards on here. There was someone fishing for a house to rent. Reading between the lines it was for that purpose.

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mankyscotslass · 10/06/2012 09:45

Mummytime is correct - they do have to find you a place, but not necessarily at the school you want.

If you don't get the school you want, you can always try the appeal route - no guarantee of success, but always worth a try.

mummytime · 10/06/2012 09:37

The LA still has to give you a school place once you live there.

mankyscotslass · 10/06/2012 09:34

Yes, Forces, or the FO, for Crown Servants.

Original poster
ripsishere · 10/06/2012 09:33

Ah, back to square one. We are not service personnel. I assume by that you mean forces (Army, Navy, AF)?

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mummytime · 10/06/2012 09:31

Schools DO NOT keep places, they may have to take crown personnel over their admission numbers, but they don't reserve places (sometimes they do give them places in the normal admissions round although they haven't moved yet but have got thei relocation orders). LAs also have to find you a place although some try to wriggle out. They can also force a school to take additional pupils under fair access.

mankyscotslass · 10/06/2012 09:14

Sorry, but I don't think the schools having to keep places is true. Sad

I'm just begining to look at secondary schools and entrance criteria though, so not 100% sure on my facts.

I think there is special provision for Crown Servants/forces moving into an area, but other that that it's the Fair Access Protocol that applies.

LEA have to find you the nearest school with places, if there is nothing that would be considered reasonable (and remember they can expect DC to travel a fair distance for Secondary), then the Fair Access protocol would be applied to make space for your DC. (I think)

Admissions or PRH could tell you more.

Original poster
ripsishere · 10/06/2012 08:25

Glad to hear the last thing. Thanks. Will get on to it tomorrow. The long BH weekend really slows things down. Although to be fair, I didn't have a house until Thursday.

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sashh · 10/06/2012 08:15

All schools have to have a couple of places for people moving into the area so you have a better chance if you apply as someone moving in than as someone who has been there for 10 years.

mummytime · 09/06/2012 11:29

Also do appeal! Find out things like classroom sizes to help your case, that the school can take another pupil and that it is the best school for your daughter. You may be lucky and someone might move so giving you a place. I have known plenty of people move into an area and get their children into very oversubscribed schools, so it can be done.

tiggytape · 09/06/2012 09:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ripsishere · 09/06/2012 09:42

Thanks, it seems the London stuff is different to the rules up here.
I'll just have to plough on. We've got the house, DH is arranging for our furniture to be shipped directly to that rather than come here then go down.
It is all so trying.

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