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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be upset over school allocation

78 replies

Wineandpyjamas · 16/04/2019 06:52

I know I probably am BU but surely I can’t be the only one?

We are 0.3 miles from our preferred school - it’s the closest one to us. My DD has a physical disability and this school is the only fully accessible one in the area. Looked around it and loved it.

Our 3rd option was the huge, estate primary which hasn’t got ‘requires improvement’ on its last two inspections with particular improvement needed in... SEN provision. It’s been undersubscribed for years.

I wake up this morning and DD has been offered a place at the third choice. I suspect it’s all sibling intake at the others.

I’ve ended up in tears thinking I’ve failed DD. I don’t know what more we could have done. It seems so unfair the way they select these things.

I know OFSTED isn’t the be all and end all of everything and I am trying to think positively but it’s early in the morning, I’ve just found out and I’m very emotional.

AIBU to have a good cry and wallow? (And then put my big girl pants on and get on with it!)

OP posts:
MrsBertBibby · 16/04/2019 06:54

You can appeal, based on her disability. Worth a shot.

Bemusedagain · 16/04/2019 06:55

This doesn’t sound right. Check the admissions criteria. Accommodating children with a disability comes above sibling in our schools intake criteria. Does the school know she has a physical disability? You should now lodge an appeal. Call the council today. This doesn’t sound right to me.

Queenfreak · 16/04/2019 06:58

I would appeal, based on accessibility.
I was under the impression that children with additional needs are priority.

Buggeritimgettingup · 16/04/2019 07:01

Appeal using accessibility, your daughter should get priority

CuriousaboutSamphire · 16/04/2019 07:01

Sob away and then get on with it. DDs disability should be the key issue.

Candace19 · 16/04/2019 07:02

You wont win an ICS appeal. It's more likely that'd you get a place via the waiting list.

nutbrownhare15 · 16/04/2019 07:03

I'd phone admissions this morning to discuss your options. As others have said, this doesn't sound right as children with a disability will get priority over siblings or distance.

MeltingWax · 16/04/2019 07:04

I agree with others - that doesn't sound right. Does the stated admissions criteria give priority to children with SEND over siblings? Did you include evidence of your DD's disability when you applied?

I would be taking this to an appeal in your position. I know it feels horrible at the moment but don't give up!

myrtleWilson · 16/04/2019 07:05

First off check the admissions criteria - was there a category that covered disabilities? What evidence did you include?
The issue with primary appeals that appeals are more restrictive so if a mistake has been made in processing your application that would be a boost.

Figgygal · 16/04/2019 07:06

What's the admission criteria?

ooooohbetty · 16/04/2019 07:07

Not all LA's have disability in criteria.

Sleepyblueocean · 16/04/2019 07:08

Disability is only a guaranteed priority if there is an ehcp naming the school.

Bemusedagain · 16/04/2019 07:16

Has she got a health care plan?

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 16/04/2019 07:16

Appeal
Bear in mind most appeals are mainly because people Want that school ! So you have a far stronger case . Don’t tell DD do it quietly

Disturbedone · 16/04/2019 07:22

Definitely appeal. My DD was offered her 3rd preferred place which was miles away and she would have to cycle past her first choice school. I have several disabilities so I appealed on that basis. I printed off medical records, pages of how the disabilities affect me etc.
The stress made me cry in front of the panel!(I actually think this helped my case)
I told them if there was an emergency and I needed her home quickly (DD is a young carer) that the other school is so far away that it wouldn't be possible. (They said that we would be entitled to transport and I asked if transport do emergency pick ups and they don't)
Go in with everything. Be prepared.
Have a list of reasons that your daughter HAS to go to this school and a list of reasons she cannot go to the other.
IME Ofsted means bigger all. I moved my DD from and 'outstanding' primary to an 'adequate' one and it was MUCH MUCH better.
Good luck with everything and if I can help, please do DM me 😘

Underhiseye2 · 16/04/2019 07:22

If your child has a physical disability and requires adjustments at school, why hasn't an echp been applied for yet? This is the safest way of ensuring needs are met. Where is the child’s physiotherapist, paediatrician? Sorry op but I see why you feel you’ve failed your DD.

meditrina · 16/04/2019 07:23

Did school 1 have a category for 'exceptional medical or social need'?

Did you describe your DD's needs at any point in the application, so the Admissins Authorities would have known to avoid schools that were insufficiently accessible.

They may not have known they were making a 'perverse decision' (which has a high threshold, but placing a mobility impaired DC in the only school in the area which is insufficiently accessible to her, might reach it)

JeanieJardine55 · 16/04/2019 07:25

Post in primary education and you will get some good advice on what best to do now.

youarenotkiddingme · 16/04/2019 07:28

Ok.

•can the school allocated provide her the access she needs to have an education?
•if not will there be costs involved in adapting allocated school.
•what does preferred school have accessibility wise that allocated school doesn't that will affect your dd ability to access education?

Eg. If dd is in a wheelchair does allocated school have ramps for her to access all areas of school? If not - does preferred school? Does allocated school have facilities to place ramps down to allow access to all areas?

These are questions you need the answer to. You need written evidence from both schools and also use their website to access descriptors re physical adaptions and accessibility.

Also think about if she needs a place to lay down or stray her out during the day. Physio during day? Handles/ support bars on toilets etc.

I'd register your appeal immediately. You'll have time to collect your evidence before it's heard.

If the preferred school is genuinely the only one who can give your dd equal access to all areas and an equal education/ opportunities as her peers then they have to place her there.
Or they have to make the adaptions to allocated school that will allow her the same opportunities as her peers.

Keep all communication written (email after phone calls to confirm what was discussed and any actions la will take).

Lots of people have to accept a school they didn't want. That's fine and that's life. But you don't have to accept a school that cannot offer your DD what she needs due to disability.

Good luck Thanks

Original poster
Wineandpyjamas · 16/04/2019 07:40

Thanks to everyone who’s replied - just to clear a few things up. DD is classed as severely visually impaired but not blind. She has a CAF form at her nursery and is under the care of a visual specialist team. I’ve taken all the advice of her HV and the local ophthalmology department.

I don’t think that our district actually do have priority for disability I think it’s just kids in the care system. I included everything I could in the application, it didn’t ask for any supporting documents but said if any were needed they would ask for them - they never asked.

I will appeal as I have to exhaust every avenue but it’s a horrible feeling. I’ve looked up the admissions statement and they took almost half the class number of siblings. The rest of the places were on distance.

OP posts:
Dillydallyalltheway · 16/04/2019 07:41

Really feel for you, sadly there’s going to be an awful lot of these posts today. My grandson literally lives a one minute walk away from his preferred school. He didn’t get a place there and has been offered a place a 35 minute walk away. I’m wishing very good luck to you wineandpyjamas

PetrichorRain · 16/04/2019 07:41

We didn;t get in our first choice either. I'm gutted.

Original poster
Wineandpyjamas · 16/04/2019 07:42

She has problems with stairs due to a lack of depth perception and has been known to misjudge them so a fully accessible school with ramps etc would be ideal for her. I explained all of it in my application.

OP posts:
Fruitsaladjelly · 16/04/2019 07:45

Oh op I really feel for you. FWIW you will very likely get a place at your first choice but on the waiting list. We were on a waiting list for ds’s primary as we were completely out of catchment and the school in question was outstanding, we applied because his grand parents lived close and would be doing the pick up but I didn’t pin any hopes on it so when I got an offer at our most local school, we just worked with that so when we got a call to say we were being offered a waiting list place we turned it down. This happen just a couple of days after he started at the other school. I really wouldn’t give up hope, get on the waiting list, a place will come up but unfortunately probably not at a convenient time and it will likely be the cause of some disturbance for your dd but her need sounds like the disturbance will be worth it. You may even get an offer sooner.

Sleepyblueocean · 16/04/2019 07:45

Have you applied for an ehcp for her?

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