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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To decline my school place?

524 replies

LG123 · 19/04/2022 06:20

I'm so cross, just want to yell at admissions (I won't).

My daughter got offered a place outside of catchment as my catchment school os oversubscribed. They wouldn't have to provide transport because she's under compulsory school age so my tiny 4 year old would be expected to walk 2 miles each way everyday.

Bet all the ones that drive got their place at a school round the corner.

AIBU to tell them to jog the fuck on?

OP posts:
Dobirdseversleep · 19/04/2022 06:56

I have previously been a school governor, and sat on the school admissions committee. The places are sometimes pretty fluid, if you find out where she is on the waiting list you might find that a place comes up fairly soon. It’s not at all unusual for there to be some movement in the class list before September. My year 1 child has already had several new children come into the group (as others have left)

Original poster
LG123 · 19/04/2022 06:56

@2reefsin30knots if its remote and no transport available then yes it provides physical transport including taxis.

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 19/04/2022 06:57

@2reefsin30knots

Isn't the transport just vouchers for puplic transport? I also think it only covers one way (i.e. the journey for the child).

I could be wrong, but I don't think they provide actual physical transport.

Depends on area. My DDs have had a dedicated school bus at one school, with a supervisor ensuring all the children were accounted for, and a private taxi at another who had picked up several rural kids and dropped at two separate town schools, all organised by council and DBS checked.

In London near my parents its just the Oyster card..

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 19/04/2022 06:57

I wouldn’t do Anything rash , no harm in accepting offer and going on waiting list, where I am there’s a lot of movement. My friend got in as 14th on the list!

TeenPlusCat · 19/04/2022 06:59

Do not decline the place

Check whether you really can have two bites at the cherry wrt reception entry. I am not an expert but am under the impression that delaying a year had to be sorted out before applying?

You can delay starting until after Easter, use a stroller or a tag along bike. You can go on a wait list and a place at your preferred school might come up.

Tagging a couple of experts. @prh47bridge @admission

Original poster
LG123 · 19/04/2022 07:02

@TeenPlusCat it's already a process I've looked at as I wanted to do it anyway. I'll be delaying.

If people knew the journey, even driving its awful they would feel for me I promise 😅

OP posts:
TeenPlusCat · 19/04/2022 07:04

Can you get clear agreement to delay for a year before declining then?

Pipsquiggle · 19/04/2022 07:07

Have a look at the catchment distances in schools in your Borough. Look at the furthest distance allocated so then you have an idea if your preferred school is a realistic option.

Of course you can delay her starting, but would you be in the same boat next year? Are there any other schools closer than the one you were allocated? Were they on your application?

IcedOatLatte · 19/04/2022 07:07

@MajesticElephant

She will be fine - my late July born walked over 2 miles, mostly uphill, to school from reception with no I’ll effects.
Is your logic there that because your child was able to do it every child is able to do it?

Literally every child that you know nothing about can walk 2 miles to school?

How does that even work?

MargaretThursday · 19/04/2022 07:08

We're in the position here that the junior school is a mile from the infant school. The way parents who have a child at both work it us take the junior child in first, then the infant.
So a lot of the reception children walk over a mile to the juniors then back up to their school and reverse at the end of the day.
The first few weeks there's always a few in buggies, bit after that they get used to it and it's fine. Most children scoot.

Thing is OP, you may get the same school next year anyway. You may move up the waiting list this year and get in.
But before you decline do check you can reapply next year because our LA you have to let the council know before you apply. Once you've applied, then it's much harder to get them to agree, because they don't want people doing it because they didn't get the school they wanted.

Also if she's younger end she doesn't have to attend the school until the summer term, by which point she'll be nearly 5yo.

KyieveMii · 19/04/2022 07:08

If she’s not CSA don’t send her. Accept the place. You can either wait on waiting lists, or if nothing comes up send her when she gets transport. Just home educate her in the meantime instead of sending her. They can’t do anything as she’s under CSA

TeenPlusCat · 19/04/2022 07:12

Margaret But before you decline do check you can reapply next year because our LA you have to let the council know before you apply. Once you've applied, then it's much harder to get them to agree, because they don't want people doing it because they didn't get the school they wanted.

That's what I'm concerned about for the OP.

IcedOatLatte · 19/04/2022 07:12

@2reefsin30knots

Isn't the transport just vouchers for puplic transport? I also think it only covers one way (i.e. the journey for the child).

I could be wrong, but I don't think they provide actual physical transport.

I don't know where the OP lives but I can tell that you don't live in a county where thousands of children get dedicated school buses every day.

Not everywhere has extensive public transport, they aren't buses to get vouchers for Smile

WaterBottle123 · 19/04/2022 07:13

Why on Earth can't she just go in her stroller for part of the way, until she gets used to the walk?

mycatisannoying · 19/04/2022 07:14

Take the school place for now. And wait for a place to become available at your catchment school. There is bound to be a bit of churn.

ZoBo123 · 19/04/2022 07:14

The LA have to approve your request to defer a year and a reason for this has to be given to state why your child needs to defer. It may look in this case like you didn't get the school you wanted so are deferring now in the hope to get that school next year. I don't think that is allowed.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 19/04/2022 07:14

If its a village school, is there even a safe walking route? Or is it walking along NSL country lanes?

Mindymomo · 19/04/2022 07:15

I would go on waiting list and if she doesn’t get a place before she starts, decline then and if she does get one, evaluate her situation then. In 5 months you may feel different. I have a May born Son but he was ready for school, so I understand how you feel.

Billandben444 · 19/04/2022 07:16

Are you happy with her going to this school or is the closer one a better fit for her? Will it affect secondary choices later on? My son's nursery school had one child who deferred their move up to 'proper school' as he was a summer baby - he was a very lonely little boy that year and he struggled to find a new friendship group when he started a year later. You must do what's right for your child though.

Onlyforcake · 19/04/2022 07:19

Could you cycle with a seat or bike bar for her until she's bigger? 2 miles isn't that far.

ManUforthewin · 19/04/2022 07:19

[quote LG123]@MajesticElephant I'm not expecting her to walk it, end of.[/quote]
Have you asked her how SHE feels?

Restingtoday · 19/04/2022 07:19

Scooter, bike or put her in the buggy? Our school is just under 2 miles away and it’s a very hilly journey. I’ve always walked it since my son was 4 and also often with my then 2 year old in tow.
If she really won’t walk, you can take a buggy which is what I did for my 2 year old in case he melted down.

TeenPlusCat · 19/04/2022 07:23

Just checked my LA. In Hants you apply for a place and make a request to delay at the same time. You get the decision on whether delaying is permitted before national offer day.

cadentiasidera · 19/04/2022 07:23

Sorry you're in this situation. I'm all for deferring, I'm a primary teacher and think they start too young anyway, so summer-borns have it hardest! I'd advise you to join the Facebook group 'Flexible admissions for summer-born children' as there's loads of great advice and there will be plenty of people with similar experiences. We've deferred our August-born daughter, she 'should' have started last September, but the extra year has been so good for her and I can see she's much more ready for school now. Even things like she can wipe her bottom after a poo which she couldn't last year! All the best with the process!

User0610134049 · 19/04/2022 07:24

I think if she would get transport if she was CSA then it seems mad that she wouldn’t this year just because she has a birthday late in the year. It makes no sense if the government are saying they prefer kids to go to school the year they’re going to be 5. So I’d probably pick that battle.

But it sounds like you were wavering anyway about deferring her and this is making your mind up. I think deferring is a l reasonable option for an august born child.

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