to not want to walk 35 miles to get to somewhere I dont even want to go :@

[WomanScorned]

We have been allocated a reception place at a school 1 3/4 miles away. That's 17.5 miles a week, in rain or shine. Or snow and ice, on top of a long school day for DS's little legs. And double that for my 46y old achey hips and dodgy knees.

I'm trying to be positive, looking at running shoes and making the most of it, but this school run's going to be f***g miserable, isn't it?

Would I be very unreasonable to shout 'shut up' out of the window, at the smarmy swines running around the playground of the school 5 metres away, who are gloating and laughing at me, because they got in and we didn't?

25 minute walk! each way

not ideal

But in reception just get a book and find a cafe

The school we have been allocated is outstanding, by the way. It's in a more affluent area and is oversubscribed. The local one is average. Lots of private tenants, FSMs and English as a second language. But it is very much part of the local community and that's important to me.

Glasgowdtevenagain - we trialled it and it took him 40. No cafe, just a Tesco express and a pub. It's in the middle of a large, newish private housing development. Besides, I need to get back home to work - and the pittance I earn doesn't stretch to hanging out in pubs and cafes. If it did, I'd buy a car!

Ugh, how irritating of the admissions woman.

Definitely appeal, OP, it does seem that you have an excellent case.

Don't blame you for dreading the walk - I do not have as far to walk as that on the school run and it's time consuming, not to mention freezing in the winter and miserable in the rain.

I am not noticeably fitter or thinner for walking miles a day for 8 years, btw. And my knees have had it!

You have my sympathy. We didn't get into the village school which is 2 mins walk up the road as we moved into the village at the wrong time (summer hols). We went on the waiting list and are quite high up as I have a mobility disability & we live so close but there has been no movement.
I drive DS to school in town 4miles away everyday (4miles x4 trips as I work from home so 16 miles a day) , I've been doing it for a year now & it is a PITA but you do get used to it. I couldn't physically walk it and there isn't a bus so car was the only choice for us.
I find it really annoying as I drive past all the cars driving into the village from outside to drop their kids next to my house!

My apologies! I forgot you were walking with a young child!!

The local one is average. Lots of private tenants, FSMs and English as a second language

Not sure why thats relevant......

Private tenancy is the way forward! I will never own a house again - this way I can afford to rent somewhere I would never afford to buy - thread hijack!

If you need to get back home to work - surely you wont be home till 0930 - say - and in reception is it not morning only for a few months - then a 330 pm finish...

Good luck, OP.

Do you have the paperwork to do with your old house - notice of eviction or concerning your problems there? A photo of the fact that it is no longer residential? Your new tenancy?

Yes, wonkylegs - it's like we're being mocked, isn't it! We use the school bell as our cue to leave for nursery in the mornings. Very early children sit on our wall, waiting to be allowed in to the playground. They wave at DS, who sits un the window chatting about what he will play in the playground. It's OUR school, dammit!

Glasgow - it's relevant in the case of suspected fraud, ie, pretending to move to get in to a good school. The one we have the offer at IS a good school. But we don't want it,bee want the local one. Surely I'd be a bit stupid to commit fraud to get in to a worse school?!?

The walk there and back is over an hour. That's 2 hours longer than the local school. Yes, reception is morning only, so I could work from 9.30 -12.30, instead of 9- 1. Or sit outside for 3 hours.

CharmQuack - we weren't evicted! We fled from nightmare neighbours. Yes, I can prove it was/is uninhabitable.

Are you in England, WomanScorned?

Assuming that you are, all children are entitled to a full time school place from the September after they turn four, so you could insist on full time hours from the outset if you wanted.

However, I don't think that will be an issue as your case for appeal sounds very strong and you will hopefully get a place at your chosen school

Op I think what Glasgow meant is why is fsm , private tenants and English as a second language relevant to calling the school average . At least that is how I read it.
However if ofsted have rated the school your ds got in to as outstanding I don't understand why you wouldn't want your ds to have the best education available. 1 3/4 miles is a perfectly acceptable walking distance.

soontobesix just because a school is rated "outstanding" by Ofsted doesn't mean it's the best school for your child. Personally, I would prefer that my child went to the local school even if it was perceived to be less good than a school much further away.

RuddyDuck talks sense. 'Ofsted Outstanding' does not equal 'best education available'. There are so many other factors to take into account.

I would also choose the local school over an outstanding one a distance away.

If you haven't already, contact your local MP. do that today, get them on side, they can start asking akward questions.

25 minutes for a 4yo to walk 1.75 miles! That's some speedy children you have there glasgowstevenagain. We have about a mile to walk and it takes my 4yo about 20mins depending on mood. Was longer when we first started until she built up some stamina.

I really hope you get in on appeal OP but if not I would recommend decent waterproofs, a three wheeled scooter and something to pull it along with for your ds. Doesn't help much with your dodgy knees though...

OP I used to be on our LEA's appeal panel. From what you've said here my key questions, which you've not been entirely clear on, is 'Did you inform the admissions people of your change of address before the closing date?' and 'Can you prove it?'. If the answer is yes to both, then I'd grant the appeal.

Liegeandleaf One of my DDs managed 25 mins for 1.75 miles at 4 yo. The other did not have her stamina so I used to take the pushchair as back up, until she was about 6yo. Yes, obv we got comments about being too old for a pushchair from people (who drove!) but we ignored those . Children vary physically.

OP - you say you moved a week or so before closing date - did you put your application in after you moved to the new house or before?

Yes, I applied from my new address. They've already acknowledged that I did, but have said that, without proof, they used the address on their system. They didn't contact me to tell me that proof was required, though, they simply disregarded it. I phoned them when no allocation letter arrived, and was told it went to the address on their system, ie, the inaccessible house.

That's very reassuring, pleasejustshootmenow. Thank you.

DS is used to walking, but isn't used to the long school day first. The time spent walking is equal to one whole school day per week.

WomanScorned - I was just wondering if you managed to get your DS into the local school.