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Original poster

Sorry, no open evening this year (unless you're in our special club)

29 replies

daycounting · 04/09/2017 09:31

An oversubscribed secondary in my area normally has a big and very busy Open Evening each Autumn. This year they've announced they won't be having one, though it will still be possible to book on one of a very limited number of tours during the school day as an alternative.

In the meantime, Year 6 parents at neighbouring (and former feeder) primaries (all leafy) have been invited to a talk by the Headteacher of the secondary saying "This meeting will provide you with an early opportunity to discuss matters of mutual concern and interest about the process of secondary transfer and the induction of Year 7 students."

I've heard they held similar meetings in previous years (in addition to the Open Evening) and it was basically a preview of the Headteacher's Open Evening speech, but with more opportunities to ask questions.

Is this sort of favouritism allowed? My gut feel is it's probably completely legal, but surely it's a bit dodgy?

OP posts:
BubblesBuddy · 04/09/2017 10:27

So what is the criteria for getting into the school? Are these primaries in catchment? Are the vast majority of the pupils likely to come from these primaries? Do they think only a handful of places will be available outside these schools, based on their knowledge of operating their admission system? I would take a tour on a working day. You will see more. Is your child likely to get in based on the criteria? Leafy lane makes no different unless these areas are catchment. Do you live in catchment? Are many places this year likely to go to siblings? You will not know that, but it could be a factor. You have to look at the admissions criteria to see why the evening is structured this way. However they will have to follow their published admissions criteria so who goes to what won't make any difference in the end. Are you certain they have not reeastsblished feeder schools? Is it a religious school?

DizzyDandelion · 04/09/2017 10:22

I suspect trying to be secretly selective in an informal sort of way.
Nasty but not unusual...

Original poster
daycounting · 04/09/2017 10:18

No, it's an evening meeting, for parents not kids. And they're no longer feeder schools - the feeder school system was dropped before it became an academy a few years ago.

OP posts:
Ladymuck · 04/09/2017 09:41

I suspect that it is done at the request of of the feeder primaries - far easier to have most of your Year 6s out on one particular day, than spread over a number.

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