AIBU to think that they should have said it was first come first served?

[BluebellCockleshell123]

A letter was handed out in school bags on Thursday about a club that my DC really wanted to attend.

I was on holiday & my DC were staying with their grandparents. I got home last night and this morning when packing schoolbags, my DC gave me the form which said that it had to be handed in before or on Tue 28th. I didn't have time to fill it all out before school so thought I would hand it in tomorrow morning.

Today I got a message to say that the club is already full!

The club is one that you get preference for the next block if you have already done the first block, so chances are that DC will never get into it now.

DC is gutted. AIBU to think that if they have a deadline on the form that they should accept all applications up to that date and then do a ballot if there are more children than places?

Not sure whether to complain to school or not.

Tough luck. People who were really keen would have made sure the form was completed and returned asap.

I taught secondary. I had many tutor groups. There were always keen students who would make sure they got in first, and always less organised ones who thought it would all be done for them. It's a life lesson.

I think yabu that they should do a ballot. I think yanbu to be upset that there wasn't a notice saying there was limited places and to get the form in ASAP.

I think you're right. Also that this sort of practice discriminates against children who live between two households, whose parents work shifts etc. A deadline is a deadline. You meet it, you're considered. ASAP / FCFS are quite different things.

How old is your dc? Could they have filled in and returned the form themselves? Or filled in and waved in front of you to sign? That would mitigate the school's idiocy but not excuse the mis-description.

I think you're right. Also that this sort of practice discriminates against children who live between two households, whose parents work shifts etc. A deadline is a deadline. You meet it, you're considered. ASAP / FCFS are quite different things.

How old is your dc? Could they have filled in and returned the form themselves? Or filled in and waved in front of you to sign? That would mitigate the school's idiocy but not excuse the mis-description.

Of course you are right. If it is FCFS then the letter should have made that clear.

Yeah your way is fairer, though our school also does first come first served.

YANBU - some parents aren’t quick off the mark for this stuff (for all sorts of reasons) and it’s a shame that their kids have to miss out as a consequence. I’ve had this when I’ve been away for work for a couple of days and missed stuff like this before (my son’s dad wouldn’t think to be checking school bags) - fortunately my DS’s school does do the names out of a hat thing

Poor communication skills from School re only certain number of places so FCFS. I'd mention it to school secretary for future or similar letters.

Our school does fcfs but it then has a waiting list and those pupils get first offer for the next term of the class. Which seems a fair compromise.

I hate FCFS. Parents who do pick up can put the form in immediately. A deadline and then a pick out of a hat situation is much fairer, with a wait list for those who missed out.

If it is FCFS then at least other people should get a shot in the next block.

YANBU. FCFS discriminates against lots of groups, almost anyone except those with organised SAHPs who can fill out the form there and then on collection before going home.

Similarly for secondary school trips. Enough notice should be given to allow families to work out whether they can afford it, and to pull together the deposit.

We did the pull out of the hat thing at our school this year.

Many parents complained that it must have been rigged as their DC did not get into the club 🙄

YANBU - at the school I work in we never do FCFS, it is seen as unfair, particularly for school trips or a club where a deposit is needed and it is much easier for some to come up that with than others. We always set a return date and then draw names.

Obviously you are right. If it was going to be first come, first served they should have said so - but anyway that is obviously an unfair way of allocating places because there will be parents who, for good reason, can't get forms in quickly. It is really ridiculous to say this is simply "tough luck".

Also, if progression to the next block is dependent on participating in the first block, they should have arrangements in place that ensure that keen students aren't prevented from progressing in this way - e.g. ensuring there are enough spaces for all who want to do it, or offering repeat sessions of the first block.

Ours do names out of a hat once the deadline has passed. Then those that don’t get in, get prioritised for next time.

Either fcfs or a deadline with a draw from the hat if over-subscribed. When my DC were going on trips or wanting to join a club, I would not always be able to confirm straightaway. Some careful thought around budgeting and logistics is often needed.

It probably would have been an idea to put that on the letter but to be honest for any club with a limited number of places (school run or not) I would assume a first come first served basis.

It probably would have been an idea to put that on the letter but to be honest for any club with a limited number of places (school run or not) I would assume a first come first served basis.

So would I, except if a deadline has been given!

I’d definitely make a point of saying something to the school. It’s very unfair what they have done. YANBU at all x

The school i work at have deadlines on all club letters and names are drawn at random for each year from all the kids who got their letters in on time.
If there was a deadline on the letter then you should complain to the school.
If there was no deadline on the letter then it's generally seen as first come first serve.