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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask a question? what happens if a child doesn't get a place at any school?

29 replies

HRHShoesytwoesy · 23/05/2011 18:29

just saw it on another thread and didn't want to hijack.
so what happens if you don't get a place in any school?

OP posts:
pigletmania · 23/05/2011 18:32

I think that its up to the LEA to find them a place at a school, it could be far from where you live though.

MrsMellowDrummer · 23/05/2011 18:34

You could quite feasibly not get a space at any of the school's you apply for. I know people who this has happened to.

The authority is duty bound to give you a place somewhere though. It's usually the next nearest school with a space I think. Although at that stage in the proceedings, the next nearest school could be miles away.

MrsMellowDrummer · 23/05/2011 18:35

(sorry for the inappropriate apostrophising there Blush)

SarahStratton · 23/05/2011 18:35

We lived next door to a school. Neither of the DDs got a place :(

doley · 23/05/2011 18:37

We might be facing this in the autumn .

The county have a duty to give my son a place in the nearest school( with a place )they will send a bus ?

Anyway, I am very nervous right now !

Original poster
HRHShoesytwoesy · 23/05/2011 18:42

thanks, so they do get a space some where, I have visions of children with no school(mine are teens so I am just nosy)

OP posts:
doley · 23/05/2011 18:43

HRH ,I have/had those visions too !

worraliberty · 23/05/2011 18:47

I know of a few Mother's who have primary children not just in seperate schools but in seperate Boroughs...it's ridiculous that they are expected to be in two places at the same time Confused

Quodlibet · 23/05/2011 18:48

Not unfounded fears unfortunately - Lambeth Council have just announced they won't have enough school places by 2015. here

merrywidow · 23/05/2011 18:48

God I thought living 800 meters away and not getting in was bad; how did that happen SarahStratton?

merrywidow · 23/05/2011 18:49

I live in Lambeth - tis shite;I'm having to pay

PanelMember · 23/05/2011 18:49

If there's no place in any of the preferred schools, the LEA should offer a place at the nearest school with a vacancy. Some LEAs, though, fail to do this. I have just heard some appeals where the child had not received an offer of any place anywhere.

extremepie · 23/05/2011 19:15

I am wondering about what will happen with this myself - my son did not get into any of the 3 schools we applied to, and got offered a place at a school miles away which we cannot realistically get to (no car, not enough money for ridiculous amounts of cab journeys).

I've rejected the place we were offered as there just isn't any chance of him going to school there, and have basically said in my appeal that unless we get offered a place at a school close to us he won't be going to school.

I don't want to get all 'tantrumy' over it but I have no choice as apparently we are not eligible for free school transport either!

Bastards!

Oakmaiden · 23/05/2011 19:18

I thought that if they offer a place at a school which you had not chosen and which is over 2 mile aways then they have to provide transport?

PanelMember · 23/05/2011 19:21

Why are you not eligible for free transport, Extremepie? It's supposed to kick in at two miles. I can see your frustration, but rejecting your offered place won't increase your chances of winning at appeal. What's your back-up plan? (Maybe we should discuss this in Primary education).

MrsMellowDrummer · 23/05/2011 19:25

They only have to offer free transport if your first choice school was your catchment one. Otherwise you waive your right it seems.

At least, that's what happens here.

FlubbaBubba · 23/05/2011 19:36

In our borough (Richmond), a friend who has no place offered has been told the LEA is only legally obliged to offer a place the September after the child has turned 5 (i.e. next academic year).

It's a feckin' mess in Richmond, is what it is. :(

merrywidow · 23/05/2011 19:43

I feel for you extreme, I didn't get offered any of my choices. I was offered a school which I went to look at, with an open mind as I had heard bad things, and I left knowing I just couldn't send DS there. I went to appeal and was offered a worse school 5 miles away

The whole system and lack of places is a fucking disgrace

BarbarianMum · 23/05/2011 19:56
Shock

I'm all for skipping reception if parents' feel that's the right choice for their child but that can't be legal, surely?

FlubbaBubba · 23/05/2011 20:08

As far as I know, it would be a place for reception - just a year later than all his buddies :(

PanelMember · 23/05/2011 20:29

Don't think so, FlubbaBubba. A child can be deferred into the following academic year only in very limited circumstances (and LEAs approve very few requests). By law a child has to be receiving an education (in school or otherwise) by the time they are five, so the OP could try hanging on until then, in case a place comes up in her preferred school. Otherwise, her child could start at the other school and then try for admission to Y1 on appeal.

FlubbaBubba · 23/05/2011 21:01

Ah, well maybe as the child in question would only be 5 next summer, then the September term start is the one that applies in his circumstance.

He has no other place at all.

extremepie · 24/05/2011 10:24

Unfortunately for me, the school in question that I have been offered a place at is 1.973 miles away so juuuuust not eligible for free transport.

Like I said, bastards!

I have put myself on the continuing interest list for my first choice school and another one I didn't originally apply for (as I lived somewhere else at the time) and am now only 0.553 away from. The head teacher of my first choice school said I have the best chance of getting him in there as it is closest to me so i guess I just have to hope someone else rejects their place :(

My DS will be 5 next Feb, so I'm not sure where I stand legally but I reasoned that I can't send him to school if he doesn't have a place!

extremepie · 24/05/2011 10:30

I forgot to say that I do really want him to go to school, he currently goes to nursery and is really excited about going to 'big school'!

I also want him to make friends as so far he doesn't really have any and I feel that is partly my fault (for some reason) as my DS2 has autism and we don't really get out much :(

lesley33 · 24/05/2011 10:42

If it is under 2 miles - although only just - you and he can walk to the school. Lots of children and parents this age used to do exactly that.

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