To think the council were rude and unhelpful.AGAIN

[cantsleep]

My LA are useless.

Numerous problems with them over the years and again today.

All I wanted to do was find out if the admissions department had received dd2's school application.
Apparently they didn't know and would not know if it was there till after the deadline in jan!

I explained I needed to know they had it before then as if they hadnt got it I'd have to send it again as if I don't know till after the deadline her application would be late and she could miss out on a place.

It was sent in 2 weeks ago (paper application) and the woman said how ridiculous that I hadn't done the online application as I'd have got an email confirmation.

Surely they could find out if dds form has arrived or not before the deadline?

Could you do the online one just to make sure?

I'm confused. She has to get a place in a school, she isn't going to not go to school because they didn't receive your form?

Do it online.

Not sure I can do 2 applications-would it mess things up if they then receive two?

Why didn't you do it online?

Local authorities are really strapped for cash

They don't have the funds to send a snail mail receipt

They have 2 options online form or paper form. I did paper one but they can't confirm they've received it.

I assumed I'd be able to just phone and they could check that dd was on their system but they said they don't know and won't know till after the deadline.

Why offer two ways to apply if they criticise me for doing the paper form ? Surely they must know if her form arrived or not?

I had this last year with DD. it stated they would confirm receipt of the form within 10 working days (by email).

Called them after 15 working dys, they didn't know. Had DH call a few times as well. Their excuse? They were busier than expected! Hmmm, they set the application dates/decided on the confirmation time etc. and yet were surprised when a lot of peo

I didn't have this problem with dd1 or ds1. Sent forms in, phoned couple of weeks later and they confirmed they had received them.

If they tell me after the deadline that dds form has got lost somewhere and they didn't get it then she has no hope of a place in the school as late applications are not prioritised.

Gah, pposted too soon.

We're surprised when a lot of people began calling as they weren't getting confirmation of the submission in the time the council stated.

They were very sympathetic though. I'd continue to call, but be polite.

Ps we did paper submission, as our council web site is shocking to use, we didn't trust it to work.

Should have been were surprised.

Our council provides a little postcard that you have to stamp and address yourself and they will post it back to you when they get the application.

I'm just stuck in my ways! Did the paper forms with dd1 and ds1 so just did it for dd2 as well.

I will phone them again tomorrow. I was just surprised at the general bad attitude and tone of voice. The woman I spoke to was so unhelpful and rude.

Sorry - again, what is the issue? They can't tell your dd she isn't going to school?!

They can though if the application form hasn't arrived. If they don't know till the deadline and then tell me I will have to put in a late application.

Our la process the on time applications first, allocate places then deal with late ones by which time there will be no place at our preferred school which will cause us huge problems.

Well, I would do it online.

I would ask whoever you speak to at the council first, before sending in an email application - just in case receiving more than one application would result in them refusing them all.

I thought the 2 options to apply- online or paper should be equally acceptable otherwise why offer them both.

I chose paper form, not realising it would be a problem.

Surely the online applications go straight onto the system then as and when paper ones come in they are put on too not just left in a pile gathering dust till the deadline day?