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Original poster

No school place AT ALL in my county. I have to apply to neighboring county

295 replies

gaba · 02/09/2013 02:46

We moved into Hertfordshire, and applied to the county council for places for the two DCs, only to be told, nothing is available, please try Essex?

Their last school is over 30 miles away so it isn't an option, but I have four schools within walking distance from my new home. I had no idea things were this bad, I thought I would be given a choice!

I have spent weeks reading through miles of legislation and can find nothing that defines what a reasonable distance should be, or what exact rights to an education there actually are. (It is all very vague, there is little or no detail in the laws on this that I can find).

If anyone has experience with this sort of problem, I would really appreciate any help.

OP posts:
tiggytape · 02/09/2013 11:48

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tiggytape · 02/09/2013 11:36

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meditrina · 02/09/2013 11:20

When you're an in-year application, you have to take the situation as it is, not how it could have been if you had moved in step with the main admissions round.

I suggest you don't use the "good kids into good schools" line when dealing with LEA, unless you want all sympathy to your (very frequent to the point of normal) circumstances to evaporate.

Original poster
gaba · 02/09/2013 11:06

The school I am sure they are talking about in Essex, has spare places for a good reason. (nobody wan'ts their kids in it)

I know beggars can't be choosers, but asides from the bad reputation of the school, I will have to drive my kids past the four schools they could walk to, through the morning traffic to the M11, then a few miles more and back again twice a day.

It seems crazy when my 'local school' is busing kids in from miles away, that I have to take my kids, to a school miles away from here.

OP posts:
Original poster
gaba · 02/09/2013 10:51

I know what you mean, that's what I think. But I know what the people who work in that department think their job is too, and that is not getting good kids into good schools, rather getting problem kids into any school. I don't think they would be sympathetic to my little 'plight', I can understand their point.

I will certainly give it another try though, for the sake of making it official in writing.

OP posts:
mummytime · 02/09/2013 10:49

Your LA needs to offer you a place, this could be in Essex if it is a reasonable distance but it has to come from them. Then they would have to offer transport (but if you applied direct to Essex they might try to weasel out of it).
Your LA can use the FA to make a school give you a place. Also as your children are not KS1 they should stand a reasonable chance at appeal.

titchy · 02/09/2013 10:42

FAP SHOULD apply in your case - your children are the definition of difficult to place!

Original poster
gaba · 02/09/2013 10:23

Ok

Thanks for all the replies, I wasn't expecting so many already. I will answer them one at a time:

The DC's are in year 8 and 10.

The council have not offered any school, but have mentioned that there are schools with places in Essex, It seems I would have to give them permission to offer me a place in an out of county school. Since the nearest one in Essex is a fair drive away, on the other side of the M11, and is not ideal for our children I have not replied to that letter.

I am starting the appeals, but was just hoping that their was some clause somewhere that could get them into a more local school.

From what I understand the fair access protocol only works for children with difficulties, and / or difficult to place. There are a few vague areas in that legislation that could be used, but my guess is that it would't be a good idea to try it. (I have been reading all the laws over and over)

I have notified the last school, and probably wouldn't have a place there anymore. BTW I said recently, but I should have been clearer, we moved several weeks before the holidays. To clarify the last question, the last school is 30+ miles away, I have not been officially offered any school, just told that 'there may be something available in Essex if that's OK with me'.

Thanks Tiggytape, that's kind'a what I was thinking / doing.

Thanks everyone, I will be busy on the computer all morning and will check back more often.

OP posts:
Coconutty · 02/09/2013 09:06

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tiggytape · 02/09/2013 09:02

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meditrina · 02/09/2013 08:26

Btw - what do you have in writing?

Are you preparing an appeal for the 4 schools you want which have rejected you? Evidence which shows the council is behaving unreasonably by not finding you any place should strengthen your case at an appeal.

LIZS · 02/09/2013 08:25

Have you notified last school that your dc are moving , if not I wonder if others may be in similar position and all will only become clear when term begins.

meditrina · 02/09/2013 08:23

You're not necessarily going to get a school within walking distance. If all schools are full, then the council should activate FAP to compel a school to go over numbers. But this will be the school that it (not you) thinks best able to cope with additional pupils. And if you are close to a boundary, it might mean a place in the next county.

The places should be within a 'reasonable' distance - not defined and in practice dependent on local geography and travel links. But over 3 miles and transport should be provided. I don't see how 30 miles can be seen as reaasonable.

wonkylegs · 02/09/2013 08:13

It's your LAs obligation to find you a place not for you to go hunting round the country randomly
Some advice here

LIZS · 02/09/2013 08:07

how old are they can you lodge appeals and go on waiting lists. Chances of 2 places at the same school are limited but you may yet find something more local, especially given that many will only resume business this week. How far is nearest Essex school ?

titchy · 02/09/2013 08:03

Fair access protocol should apply assuming you're a fair distance from an Essex school (though fair distance could be an hour or more away....). Herts would have to provide transport though.

lljkk · 02/09/2013 07:53

Very curious how you will sort this, OP.

lougle · 02/09/2013 07:47

What year groups are your DC in and how far are you from the Essex border?

exoticfruits · 02/09/2013 07:24

How do they get to school if it is another county?

hatsybatsy · 02/09/2013 07:13

I thought your LA had an obligation to find a school place for you? Someone will be along who knows more about that in a mo...

How far away is Essex from you? If your close to the boundary then it's worth a try?