Page 10 | Romesh Ranganathan - School Places & Entitlement

FightingFish · 2025-04-25T16:39:33+00:00

[[https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewgj1ry9x7o.amp https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewgj1ry9x7o.amp]] I’ve seen this story popping up a lot on social media and we are only seeing one side of the story. Schools publish their allocations policy and apparently RR has moved house since his older children were allocated a place. He obviously didn’t consider the implications of moving outside of catchment at that point. There are only so many places, AIBU to wish that he would acknowledge that? I also feel sorry for the kid, if my father was a multi millionaire, I’d rather he shelled out on a place at a private school instead of bleat on about how hard done by he is!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/04/2025 02:59

CleaningSilverCandlesticks · 26/04/2025 01:17

That too, but I was thinking parents who think THEY got THEIR own place because they turned everyone else down/spoke to the headteacher/danced naked on the playing field under a full moon and then tell other parents that was the ‘secret’ of their success,

Show quote history

It's just my internal narrative spilling out - it's not as if I can tell anybody to their face that they're chatting shit and no, their mate didn't get a place because of it, they didn't get their place despite it, it had absolutely no bearing upon the decision; it was just sheer dumb luck that they happened to get to the right place on the rankings or waiting list to be offered a place after their ridiculous performances.

Motherknowsrest · 26/04/2025 06:54

LindorDoubleChoc · 25/04/2025 22:00

In my area of London, a very high percentage of secondary schools are single sex. So there is no such thing as an automatic sibling place in these schools anyway! Funnily enough, everyone survives.

London has public transport though. Most of us, even in large towns, have a pretty sparse bus service.

BustyLaRoux · 26/04/2025 07:45

EdithBond · 25/04/2025 22:36

He’s entitled to publicly complain about anything he likes, just like anyone else.

The local education authority is unlikely to deviate from its processes, so it’s not like he’ll get preferential treatment for being famous or wealthy. Nor should he. But he’s entitled to appeal, as anyone is. And his child may still eventually be offered a place if they’re on the waiting list.

If his child wasn’t likely to be in the catchment for all four schools they chose, it’s likely they won’t get offered any of their choices. That’s why it’s best to put realistic options.

Maybe he’s against private education as a matter of principle, as are many other people. I believe Paul McCartney’s kids went to state schools.

School admissions policy is a tough one. I’m a great believer kids should attend their local community school, so they can walk there and their school friends live nearby in the local community. So, IMHO living in the catchment area should come first. However, it’s a pain if you move outside and then siblings have to attend different schools. But not the end of the world because the eldest can and should travel to school on their own once teenagers, unless it’s a rural area with no buses.

And giving priority to siblings can be unfair because, for oversubscribed schools, it can allow families to game the system by moving into the catchment area for a few years to get their eldest into the school, then move to a preferable (e.g. cheaper) area and take advantage of sibling priority for subsequent kids. While kids who live nearby lose out.

Completely agree with this. It’s unfair to give priority to people who got into the school they wanted then moved. Places should be reserved for children in the local community, not parents who’ve played the system and relied on the sibling rule. Anyway a lot of admission policies will give preference to a child outside of catchment with a sibling at the school than one outside who doesn’t have a sibling. Once all the catchment places and SEN/LAC places have been allocated. It’s just that sibling isn’t the trump card it used to be. Rightly so in my book. I attended a different school to my brother. We travelled independently and didn’t expect a parent to take us. It wasn’t a pain at all. Also what about when parents have one in secondary and one in primary. That’s not the same school. People manage ok.

Valeriekat · 26/04/2025 08:13

notsureyetcertain · 25/04/2025 18:34

I always assumed siblings would be top priority

Catchment is first priority and always has been.

Lightuptheroom · 26/04/2025 08:56

In this particular case, the school he wanted is very popular and over subscribed. Likewise, his other 3 preferences are popular and oversubscribed. He was offered a school within Crawley, it happens to be a very unpopular school with a poor reputation. He has the 'right of appeal' for the school he wanted (which incidently is where he and his wife taught before he switched to comedy) The school did have a sibling policy when the older two were admitted, it was then consulted on and changed.
Crawley at the moment is very squeezed for school places, lots of people moving in to the area etc. He may get in on appeal, he may get in on the waiting list, it happens to a lot of children in that area every year and even in later years when parents try and move them as there just isn't the movement.

Middleagedstriker · 26/04/2025 09:09

RipleyJones · 25/04/2025 18:25

Boo hoo. He thought for some reason his kid would not be subject to normal admission procedures. He thought he could continue to signify his luvvie left wing credentials by using state school. But only the state school /s He wanted. They’re all full, he got bumped to the one available. As do thousands of others. Using state funds when he could easily pay for it himself. But couldn’t do that god no the optics the optics! 🙄 heart bleeds.

Are you this likeable in real life? It must be tiring being this bitter all the time.

CleaningSilverCandlesticks · 26/04/2025 09:11

So, unsurprisingly, the issue is not still having children at two schools (which would also be the case with his other three preferences); he doesn’t like the school he has been allocated. As a parent, of course he can be disappointed with a school. But what he can’t do is point to his children as evidence and say ‘see I support state education’ if it is conditional on them going to specific above average schools.

cramptramp · 26/04/2025 09:13

My children went to different schools that were miles from where we lived. I had 2 drop offs to do before driving to the other side of the city to get to work. I managed it. I’m sure Romesh and his wife will too.

TheNightingalesStarling · 26/04/2025 09:16

The anger shouldn't be at getting a school you don't want.. . It should be that there are schools that are failing children.

CleaningSilverCandlesticks · 26/04/2025 09:49

I had 2 drop offs to do before driving to the other side of the city to get to work.

I wonder what the impact would be on carbon emissions if they reintroduced catchments and required every child to go to their catchment school?

CuttedPearPie · 26/04/2025 09:52

I don't think its commendable to use the state schools when you live in a posh area.
It's just buying your kids education in a different way

RipleyJones · 26/04/2025 09:54

Middleagedstriker · 26/04/2025 09:09

Are you this likeable in real life? It must be tiring being this bitter all the time.

Show quote history

😂 What?

greengrapesofwrath · 26/04/2025 10:47

I think he’s a bit damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t here re state school over private school!

Middleagedstriker · 26/04/2025 10:55

RipleyJones · 26/04/2025 09:54

😂 What?

Show quote history

I'll take that as a yes 😜

CleaningSilverCandlesticks · 26/04/2025 10:55

greengrapesofwrath · 26/04/2025 10:47

I think he’s a bit damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t here re state school over private school!

He has a choice - publically uphold the state system and accept whatever allocation he has been given. Or do the best by his children be it private or trying to get into the best state school he can. The problem is when, like many politicians with their children in the highest performing state schools, he tries to do both.

privatenonamegiven · 26/04/2025 11:15

CuttedPearPie · 26/04/2025 09:52

I don't think its commendable to use the state schools when you live in a posh area.
It's just buying your kids education in a different way

This doesn’t make sense… sounds like utter rubbish. Living in a “posh” doesn’t necessarily mean you have enough to money to go private…and having money doesn’t mean you should have to go private…

CuttedPearPie · 26/04/2025 11:18

privatenonamegiven · 26/04/2025 11:15

This doesn’t make sense… sounds like utter rubbish. Living in a “posh” doesn’t necessarily mean you have enough to money to go private…and having money doesn’t mean you should have to go private…

Show quote history

By living in a posh area, you're spending big bucks on your housing to buy your kid a place at a top performing state school.

It's the exact same mindset and expense as someone paying fees. Sorry if I hit a nerve

CleaningSilverCandlesticks · 26/04/2025 11:18

privatenonamegiven · 26/04/2025 11:15

This doesn’t make sense… sounds like utter rubbish. Living in a “posh” doesn’t necessarily mean you have enough to money to go private…and having money doesn’t mean you should have to go private…

Show quote history

That isn’t what PP said. Rather that if you buy your way into a high performing state school then you have no moral basis to condemn those who buy private education. You are both paying for better schools.

CurlewKate · 26/04/2025 11:24

My understanding is that Starmer moved into his current house 20 years ago before he was a politician or had children. It’s an area where many professional people live. And the school his children go to is the catchment school.

RipleyJones · 26/04/2025 11:36

Middleagedstriker · 26/04/2025 10:55

I'll take that as a yes 😜

Show quote history

😂 no. It’s a I have no idea why your imagination takes such leaps, but can only think you’re judging others by your own actions.. hey ho! 😂

CleaningSilverCandlesticks · 26/04/2025 11:38

CurlewKate · 26/04/2025 11:24

My understanding is that Starmer moved into his current house 20 years ago before he was a politician or had children. It’s an area where many professional people live. And the school his children go to is the catchment school.

With his wife. I am sure children were on the agenda. We bought our house pre-children too, but certainly considered school catchment when buying as we hoped that was something that would happen within this house. Though my children didn’t get the benefit of a multimillionaire’s property to stay in whilst revising.

RipleyJones · 26/04/2025 11:40

CleaningSilverCandlesticks · 26/04/2025 11:18

That isn’t what PP said. Rather that if you buy your way into a high performing state school then you have no moral basis to condemn those who buy private education. You are both paying for better schools.

Edited

Show quote history

Quite. Blair - oratory etc. There are more examples but people can see for themselves online if interested further. It’s a tired discussion now.

The mistake people make is describing schools as state or private. Where both types of schools vary so widely (especially ‘state’ schools), the descriptions are often meaningless.

privatenonamegiven · 26/04/2025 11:46

CuttedPearPie · 26/04/2025 11:18

By living in a posh area, you're spending big bucks on your housing to buy your kid a place at a top performing state school.

It's the exact same mindset and expense as someone paying fees. Sorry if I hit a nerve

Show quote history

Ha talking sh*t there. You are making numerous assumptions. Some people don’t have loads of cash but bought their properties years and years ago… no nerve hit at all just pointing out your faulty logic and assumptions

privatenonamegiven · 26/04/2025 11:47

CleaningSilverCandlesticks · 26/04/2025 11:18

That isn’t what PP said. Rather that if you buy your way into a high performing state school then you have no moral basis to condemn those who buy private education. You are both paying for better schools.

Edited

Show quote history

Not everyone does though people often assume this but many actually don’t do that..just saying

Heronwatcher · 26/04/2025 12:30

Yes he’s ridiculous.

Most schools changed sibling priority rules for very good reasons- parents get one child in, then move a good distance away. Siblings 2,3,4 etc get into the school
under sibling priory wherever they live and child on the doorstep doesn’t. That’s not fair either. Plus it’s not great for the area to have loads of kids being driven in while local kids are driven out.

Most have maintained sibling priority rules but just within a certain distance (I think it was about 1k) anyway, so I guessing he moved a decent distance from the school. Plus surely if he’d been taking a basic interest in the school he’d have known
anyway…