No offers from chosen schools. DD in pieces. Please help!

[MayorMumbum]

In a bit of a panic! DD has not been offered a place at any of the schools we put down. Instead she has been offered a place at one of the worst schools in the country.
She has anxiety and trichotillomania and was desperate to stay with her two best friends (both got in to her chosen school except her). She is in pieces, I'm in shock and don't know what to do.
I'm going to try to appeal but I don't know what her chances are and I'm prepared to home school her rather than accept the place we have been offered.
I'm just after some advice really. Best way to get her a chance of getting in, things to bring up at appeal, next steps etc.
I can't bloody believe it! We went to six open evenings, spent hours looking at schools etc only for no place at a single decent school. Argh!

Try not to panic, OP. I think you posted the other day as well and the two friends live nearer to the first choice school?

It's a tough year for school places because the birth rate was very high (or it certainly was round here, I'm in the SW about an hour from you OP) so yes, some of the last distances admitted have dropped a bit this year.

Last year my DD missed out on her first choice by a small distance too - she'd have got in any other year, we have neighbours that attend that school - we had picked a strong second though and got that fortunately. I appealed for the first choice and didn't get it either! I did find the secondary school picking stressful, tbh.

I would accept the place (although it does sound as if you don't have a choice in the matter!) and get yourself on the waitlist for everything on your list. Check with the Council to see if they put you on automatically or if you have to ask. Good luck!

She's very far down every other list so it really does feel that it's this school or nothing and home ed so hopefully there is some movement!