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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this is a silly and unrealistic request

30 replies

gingernutlover · 30/03/2010 09:21

right, got dd's primary school place for september last week

yesterday took in her acceptance form along with proof of our address, less than 3 months old.

apparentely this is not good enough, I have to provide somethignw ith dd's name and address on it that is less than 3 months old??????

I aksed what would be appropriate and she suggested a dr's or dentists letter (we dont have one) a bank statement (we get dd's statement once a year so would be too old) or a child benefit letter (again my last one is dated 2008, as thats when they last wrote to me)

when i told her all that, she said a NHS card would do, which I pointed out has no date and would be more than 3 months old, she said "oh well, it's better than nothing I suppose! Bring it in and I will have a look" in a very superior voice. (went home and discovered dd's nhs card still has our old address on it LOL, so phoned PCT and they said that's becasue they only send new cards when you register with a new dr which we hadn't, they agreed to send a letter to dd with her reg number on it, will also obv have her address on it)

AIBU to wonder how many families will actaully have proof of their child name and address dated within 3 months?

OP posts:
dinkystinky · 30/03/2010 09:23

Can you not nip along to your GP surgery and ask the receptionist to give you a letter stating they are your DD's doctor and the address details they have registered for her are xxxx. Should satisfy the school hopefully.

Agree 'tis crazy stuff.

Original poster
gingernutlover · 30/03/2010 09:25

have horrid feeling gp would charge me

they charge for eveyrthing else

i know the reasons for them asking for this stuff but it seems like they simply havent thought it out

OP posts:
mrsgrumpygruffalo · 30/03/2010 09:26

YANBU that seems abit OTT. I wouldn't have anything with my sons name and address on.

All we had to do was provide our council tax reference number.

Eglu · 30/03/2010 09:29

That seems a bit ridiculous. How many 4/5 year olds would regularly get their own post. I wouldn't be able to provide that for either of my children.

weloveyoumisshannigan · 30/03/2010 09:30

My ds just got a letter with his name and address on because of an overdue book .

LynetteScavo · 30/03/2010 09:31

How stupid!

Don't you have to provide proof when you apply for a place?

I wuouldn't bother, TBH!

GeekOfTheWeek · 30/03/2010 09:34

I don't have anything with dc's address on less than 3 months either.

When I had to provide proof last year they accepted her passport and birth certificate.

Original poster
gingernutlover · 30/03/2010 09:34

phew I thought it might just be me. Trouble is I have to provide something or she wont give me the letter with the dates for meetings and taster days on it! I am guessing this might be the beginning of a less than harmonious relationshsip ha ha ha

hopefully the letter will arrive from the pct and that will have to do

OP posts:
Original poster
gingernutlover · 30/03/2010 09:36

and no you dont ahve to provide proof when you apply, you do that through the LEA and yu just fill in a form online - you could put any old address, thats why they check. Although why proof of both her parents living here isnt enough I dont know

OP posts:
lou33 · 30/03/2010 10:00

child benefit will send you a letter confirming her details if you ask them

KarmaAngel · 30/03/2010 10:13

How bizarre! When dd1 started school they wanted her birth certificate, and something with both mine and DH's address on. Didn't ask for anything with dd's name AND address on. Sounds like someone is just a little too big for their boots.

sarah293 · 30/03/2010 10:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
gingernutlover · 30/03/2010 10:41

ooooh could try child benefit too then

still thinks it's silly but have to play along I suppose

OP posts:
spybear · 30/03/2010 10:48

YANBU. this is a crazy demand. I have nothing with childrens name and address on, except CB letter which is once a year.

DastardlyandSmugly · 30/03/2010 10:53

I'm not sure we'd have anything either but as DS hasn't been offered a reception place as our local schools are all full it's immaterial at the moment.

Original poster
gingernutlover · 30/03/2010 10:57

i just looked, the child benefit letter is addressed to 8me8 not dd, and whilst it says her name it only says her christian name.

OP posts:
Original poster
gingernutlover · 30/03/2010 10:58

thats not good dastardly - what are your options now?

OP posts:
ImSoNotTelling · 30/03/2010 10:59

Has she got in a confusion - surely it's proof that the parents live at the address that they need...

My 2yo doesn't get any post, I'd be a bit if she was able to produce the things they usually ask for... mortgage letter, bank statement, credit card bill... surely they don't have these things til they're about 8?

ImSoNotTelling · 30/03/2010 11:01

dastardly oh dear.
what's the plan?
whereabouts do you live (this happens a lot in my area)

Original poster
gingernutlover · 30/03/2010 11:03

i really dont think telling her she was confused would be a good idea she is already annoyed with me for not being psychic

OP posts:
ImSoNotTelling · 30/03/2010 11:07

No you just have to go along with it don't you.

Something from the library? Say you've lost her card and get them to send her a new one?

DastardlyandSmugly · 30/03/2010 11:28

I'm in Wandsworth - I know I'm not the only person in this position. We're appealing but otherwise it's a waiting game to see if the wait lists move enough for us to get offered a place later. All the council have offered is for us to apply to a school some distance away that does have spaces, which we just can't do. Am so and anxious and about it all.

ImSoNotTelling · 30/03/2010 11:30

I suspect we will be where you are next year dastardly. It must be agonising for you.

Waiting lists and keep at home for now? I don't know I really don;t.

for you.

DastardlyandSmugly · 30/03/2010 11:40

We'd have to keep him in nursery (we both work f-t) and all his friends will have moved on. I just feel desperate to get it sorted for him so we can start getting him ready and excited for the change.

I know everyone says this but he's a special little boy and I really feel thy should be begging me to send him to them!

ImSoNotTelling · 30/03/2010 11:47

God that's hard.

i wish you all the luck dastardly, I am sure you will find a solution. borough like wandworth there is bound to be a lot of movement before sept.