DD1 is on the waiting list for four schools. There are literally no other schools we could get to - we don't drive, I actually receive low rate mobility DLA as I find it so hard to travel longer distances.
She is numbers 1, 3, 8 and 12 on the waiting lists, and they are all single class admissions. I happen to know (ie was told by someone on the council in an informal capacity) that there are at least 15 too many children, on the first applications, for the schools in the LEA. The LEA area is one of the most deprived in the UK.
I have been advised to appeal, even though the criteria have been followed, as apparently often just appealing makes the school reconsider. I can also ask people to speak on my behalf who have influence, not sure if it would make a difference, but they offered. My disability is apprently not relevant anyway.
I'm a bit about this though, as it seems unfair - whay should DD1 benefit because she has parents who are able to do all the appealling and so on, over a child whose parents might not be as "on top" of thier education? DD1 is already reading short words, doing simple sums and so on - surely a child who isn't needs the place more?
On the other hand, I genuinely don't know what we will do - even three of the schools would be a bit of a struggle as only one is in walking distance. We live quite near the edge of the LEA, so if they offer us a place anywhere in the area, it could be more than an hours travelling time away. We would most probably HE, but my health means I have to use part time nursery even now, so I don't know how we would manage.
I've always been very much of the opinion that things need to be fair, that sometimes it is difficult but you shouldn't push in the queue, etc. Then again, I have two DDs, we're talking 11 years of our family life here...at the same time, I'm not sure if I could look the other parents in the eye, knowing I wasn't meant to be there.
She is number 1 on the waiting list at our closest school. It's not got an excellent reputation, tbh, but me and DH are fully prepared to go in for PTA, governors and so on, in fact I am even considering if my health will bear me becoming a governor of a school in the really, really deprived area - although it would be too far to travel twice a day with two kids, I'm trying to work out if I could get there by myself for governors duties, just to help in any way I can.
The education person on the council, my MP, my councillor and so on are all aware of the situation, I have tried to keep it on the footing of "look at this problem that lots of parents are facing", rather than "look at my poor daughter", and a couple of local journalists have mentioned they might like to do a story, but I'm worried that it might unduly influence people in favour of my DD.
At the same time, she is my DD, I would move heaven and earth for a better life for her. Just not sure that a better life is possible in a world where she can get better schooling (and push other children out) based on her parents being able to shout. I would much rather shout on behalf of her and the at least 14 other children in the situation.
Or am I being too innocent here, and all the other parents are clambering over each other?
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AIBU?
To not want to push my DD ahead of others in the waiting list?
22 replies
BPisme · 23/05/2011 14:54
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