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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:
TantrumsAndBalloons · 16/10/2013 18:15

Or maybe it's the council genuinely not having any school places in the school you want and finding you an alternative.

They aren't doing it to piss you off. They have found a place at the nearest school with 2 places.

Yes. It's too far away. I get that. I also get it isn't the school you want.

But there is nowhere else. They cannot magic 2 school places out of thin air. You aren't the only one in this situation.

You are acting like you think this is a personal slight against you when it is not. It's logistics. A late application or an in year application means the "good" schools are already full.

Surely you must have expected this?

Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 18:11

"Did you not say up thread that you were in bishops Stortford?"

I didn't say at the station.

As for your kids Tantrums I wasn't arguing about the poor children that have to travel for miles every day, I am saying it would be nice if less kids had to.

OP posts:
shushpenfold · 16/10/2013 18:09
Grin
Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 18:08

"muses on the fact that the OP has managed to offend both state and independent school parents in one thread......talented lady."

I try my best.

OP posts:
Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 18:07

If you make an application that is inconvenient, then I am sure the council will want to retaliate, by being awkward.

However they did not offer a school for 4 months then offered one so far away id need a helicopter. This is the council being belligerent, or just saving money on not educating children.

OP posts:
shushpenfold · 16/10/2013 18:05

......muses on the fact that the OP has managed to offend both state and independent school parents in one thread......talented lady.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 16/10/2013 18:05

gaba I thought you said up thread that you were in bishops Stortford. Obviously I was mistaken.

But it really is a 15 minute walk. It's my old school. I walked from broxbourne station to school every day.

But, if you aren't actually in bishops Stortford or on a direct train line, it's irrelevant really.

Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 18:02

Assuming it is a 15 minute walk, and its not, more like a half hour treck, they would still need to change twice before they even reach BS station.

Each time you wait 10 - 30 minutes for the next bus or train, it can take 2 hours even by public transport. Besides I said 2 hours for driving, hopefully less for public transport but still too far.

OP posts:
TantrumsAndBalloons · 16/10/2013 18:01

No, they go to school in cheshunt.
A state secondary school in cheshunt.

Because my dd was bullied so badly at the school in north london that she attempted suicide. And because the girls that were making her life hell had friends at every other school in our local area. So she needed to get out.

Sorry if that's taking a place away from a local child.

But it's just an ordinary state school in cheshunt so I doubt anyone really gives a toss, do they?

TantrumsAndBalloons · 16/10/2013 17:58

Did you not say up thread that you were in bishops Stortford?

Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 17:56

Hey tantrums.....

""My DCs travel from north london to hertfordshire every day for school on the exact train that your DCs would use.
It takes them 14 minutes on the train."""

Your kids going to Hockerill or one of the others by any chance?

OP posts:
TantrumsAndBalloons · 16/10/2013 17:55

But, gaba there's no spaces at your local school.

And that's because you have just moved into the area.

That's not the councils fault, it's not the schools fault, it's not the children's fault. It just is what it is.

If you make a late application surely you have to accept that, chances are you won't get the school that you want?

Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 17:55

Well tantrums, how do they get to Bishop's Stortford,, grow wings and fly?

OP posts:
bruffin · 16/10/2013 17:55

My ds has an after school job at sheredes pool and walks from Broxbourne station do walks it regularly. Why have you 5 changes from Bishop Stortford.

Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 17:53

prh47bridge There is no mistaking what it is.

The kids in that school have well connected parents, or are genius level to keep up the scores.

It is not a 'private' school where the parents pay a fee, it is a 'exclusive' school where rich kids magically get a top but free education.

OP posts:
TantrumsAndBalloons · 16/10/2013 17:53

How is it 5 changes? I don't get it.
Train from bishop Strortford to broxbourne
Walk or 310 bus to school, 15 minute walk or short bus ride.

Where are the 5 changes?

Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 17:48

Are you sure it is only 15 minute walk, maybe I was looking at the wrong station, but that doesnt change much it would still be 5 changes.

It would be slightly quicker on the train than car even before, particularly in the morning, but an absolute nightmare, and still too long.

I have a school yards from my house, 3 more in walking distance, and a half dozen more 5 minutes on the bus. They are clearly having a wind up offering this.

OP posts:
TantrumsAndBalloons · 16/10/2013 17:36

Sheredes from bishop Strortford is one train which takes approx 15 minutes. It's a 10-15 minute walk to the school from broxbourne station.
Of course there are buses in the morning from the station- how on earth do you think other children get to school?

Where are you getting 7-9 changes of train and bus from?

It would only take 2 hours if you planning to walk there.

My DCs travel from north london to hertfordshire every day for school on the exact train that your DCs would use.
It takes them 14 minutes on the train.

prh47bridge · 16/10/2013 17:28

I think the OP mistakenly thinks Hockerill is a private boarding school. It isn't.

prh47bridge · 16/10/2013 17:27

Hockerill is a state school (to be precise, an academy), not a private boarding school. The funding they receive per pupil is broadly the same as other academies in the area in addition to which parents pay a fee for boarding. No rich kids are getting high fees paid by the taxpayer.

meditrina · 16/10/2013 17:10

Which private boards school is receiving state money?

I know there are occasional SS placements into the private sector, but thught those are in cases of exceptional need only, not enough to keep a private school afloat year on year.

And if the school is 30 mikes, then the LEa has to offer transport. For secondary age, this might be a free termtime travel pass. Did they offer one? For if they offered nothing, then this needs to be pursued as it is a clear breach of their duty.

bruffin · 16/10/2013 17:02

Bishop Stortford to Sheredes is a very easy journey by train trip certainly nothing like 2 hours. Bishop stortford is on same line as Broxbourne which is a 15 minute walk from the school. There are very regular trains and fast ones. I use that line to get to work and children come a lot farther than hoddesdon to get to schools in Bishop Stortford.
Sheredes was a failing school but i think its on way up. Unfortunately its in between two outstanding school

Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 15:50

Hi, daphnedill.

First time on here in a while and you just posted before me. In the end last week they finally offered Sheredes, that is best part of 30 miles away!

We estimate that on the morning run it would take well over 2 hours to get there, and since it is nearly impossible to use public transport (7 or 9 changes of bus and train) we would have to drive them. The council said there would be no chance of taxi fees being paid, I suppose because the cost would be too high.

So for the time being we have not accepted their offer and will look into home education, as we were recommended to do by the council. I guess this is Herfordshire county council's cunning wheeze at austerity measures, I wonder how many other children have no school to go to in this county. They must be saving thousands.

OP posts:
Original poster
gaba · 16/10/2013 15:31

Hi, 2Girlsdad.

I would put it this way, how fair is it that a private boarding school, is receiving state school money and at a very high per capita rate.

That is to say some rich kids getting their high fees paid by the taxpayer. The point I was making before is precisely that there are no local children, or very few anyhow.

OP posts:
daphnedill · 16/10/2013 15:30

PS. Just realised Mountfitchet College has been renamed Forest Hall School.

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