Refusing school place in year admissions?

[Chikoletta]

About to move to a new area and the local primaries are all full, apart from 1 which I don't want my child to go to.

She is on SEN register but no EHCP, the school would not be a good fit. Felt like crying at the thought her f
going there (Not a usual reaction!).

She is going into y2. Schools out-of town might be a possibility but I'd be reliant in a rural bus service to do school run as I don't drive

What happens if/when they offer a place at unwanted school and I refuse? Any similar stories/input gratefully received

Can answer any Qs when kids in bed

Nothing happens you home educate or send her to another school. If you do neither the LA will serve a school attendance order and name a school that has places. You can then send to that school or another of your choosing, if you don't you will be taken to court and fined.

If you refuse a place, they don't need to offer you anywhere else... you have to sit it out on waiting lists or find another school further out with vacancies.

You can appeal, but its likely to be unsuccessful under Infant Class Size regulations

BUT.... families often move over the summer holidays so just because there's no spaces now, doesn't mean there won't be a space in September.

Good luck. In Year applications are tricky.

If you don't want the place available, then you have to home educate I guess.

I'd ring and speak to the schools, they may be able to fill you in about whether they expect a space to open up in the near future.

Thanks.

Has anyone done home Ed for a while? How long did you wait before a space came up? I know it's impossible to predict but curious anyway

I would advise you to take this place but keep looking for other schools in the are.

Because..?

For year 2 you could have a long wait as ICS rules apply. If you refuse an offer the LA does not need to make another. Is an ehcp possible? More difficult to get while HE but not impossible.

The local authority has an obligation to offer your child a school place. That school place does not have to be in a school of your choosing and it will be one that is undersubscribed, especially as ICS applies.

You could join waiting lists for schools that you prefer and either send her to the school you don’t want, or HE until a place becomes available at a school you do want.

As far as waiting times go, it’s impossible to predict. Some waiting lists move, others don’t and you’re still constrained by ICS.

Because then you stay in the system and there is an obligation to provide you with a space somewhere.

Why doesn't she have an EHCP if she has SEN?

Not all children with SEN has, or indeed needs an EHCP.
Accepting the place means that your child will at least be receiving an education and you can still look for a place in a school you’d prefer. Once you’ve declined a place the LA have no obligation to find you an alternative place. You could end up homemeducating your child for months. Are you able to do that?

What's wrong with the school?