Not given any primary school places

[jojo28]

Ooops did not put a subject, so I am posting again. Camden LEA has informed us that no places are available at any of the primary schools we chose on our application. They have put him on the waiting lists of all three schools and have said we may appeal. What advice can any of you give - is appealing worthwhile? Should I put my faith in the waiting lists? Please, any info would be gratefully received.

Were they the closest schools? Do you have any reason as to why an appeal may be successful?

In terms of waiting lists, I live in an area where there are a couple of VA or Foundation schools which have their own admissions, and typically a number of families have places at one of these schools as well as another school via the LEA admissions. As the child can only go to one school loads of places free up over the summer. But no idea as to what your local schools are like (though I did go to a primary school in Camden myself).

They are all my closest schools, one is literally a 2 minute walk from my house - our neighbours children go there, galling. I know these things happen but I really felt we'd be offered something.
As for grounds for appeal, that is why I am posting, what is considered grounds? My child has no special needs, nor do I.

What were the admission criteria for the closest school? Have you talked to the school secretary?

they have to find you a place somewhere - even if it is one on the other side of the borough!

find out where you are on the waiting lists - if you are very near the top (like in the top 3), I imagine you'd have a fairly good chance. If the places have only just been allocated, they may not have got all the 'no' replies back yet anyway.

My advice would be to keep pestering them.

The admissions criteria for the closest school is special needs, siblings, location. This is the first year in Camden when primary school admissions have been allotted by the LEA and not the schools. I am anxious that the LEA will not tell me where I am on the waiting lists and that I won't be able to pester them in the way I might be able to with a school directly. I am feeling really low about this, we pay so much tax - arrgh!

they have to tell you where you are on the waiting list

we have a lot of friends here on waiting lists and they get constant updates as to where they are (richmond borough)

also good thing about the LEA doing it (rather than the schools) is that you will know that no amount of pestering will make a difference (i.e. that someone else won't be able to get a place ahead of you on pure pester power!)

it is scandalous that you haven't got a place though

can you complain to the council/MP?

Hadn't thought of it that way, thanks F-I-S! Will ring on Monday and see if I can get any info. They know what there doing though... clever move to give the results out on a Saturday so irrate parents cool off a bit before they start ringing them.

have you got any further with this jojo?

We got our third choice last year when ds1 started reception but we asked to be put on the waiting list for the other schools. We were about 8th on the waiting list for one of the schools and over summer this changed to about 16th. We were really disappointed, but then about 5 weeks into term we got a call saying that a place had become available, so we moved him to the better school. Just to say that firstly, the council should tell you where you are on waiting list, and secondly, even if you are not top of the list there is hope! Good luck.

Jojo, we live on the edge of 3 councils not far from you . In the last month or so 3 letters have arrived from the 3 councils, all saying there is no room for DD at any primary. However, we rang one council and got on the waiting list for the school we really wanted ASAP (she was 6th) and she got a place within a few weeks. The same has happened with a local friend and a different local school. So this is absolutely not the end of the matter.
As FIS says, because the letters have just gone out you probably have a vv good chance with your local school. It's an ordeal, though.
You can appeal on weird things... child's asthma, for eg. I don't suppose this are any use to you?

Thanks for all the encouragement - got in touch with Camden LEA and they have told me that he is third on the waiting list for our first choice school and eighth for our second and third choices. Still not sure whether to appeal. Friend who is a nursery school teacher advises that I do - she says it puts you on the radar but I'm not a natural complainer IYKWIM.

Hi jojo, I'm in a slightly similar postion to you my dd is currently at the four yr old provision of the school we want her to attend and we have just found out she didn't get a place (out of catchment area)!!!so stressed out!! but I spoke to the headmistress and was advised that as others have said that places occur over summer so we just have to wait shes 3rd on the list...I was also advised that when appealing you have to prove incompetence on the part of the LEA ie.. your childs form was lost or she had a sibling at the school and was not offered a place (I don't know if this is the case in your area but it's worth checking)...apparently it's quite hard to win and none of the parents who appealed last year won but all their children still got in because places came up.goodluck xx

I agree with your friend jojo28 that you should keep yourself on the radar. LEAs try to minimise appeals as they are expensive for the Council; when my son was refused a place at a secondary school a friend of mine who worked for an LEA told me you should always appeal as when a place comes free they are more likely to give it to the "appeal pending" kid to save money and hassle. Unfortunately the meek do not always inherit the earth! I can't believe you find yourself in this situation bearing in mind how close you live to your first choice school - best of luck

Living in Scotland,I am a bit confused (we are a bit different up here) surely your house is within a catchment area of a school and the council must provide you with a place at that school or another within their area, surely your council must provide a place by law.

Seb1 London Education Authorities need only provide a school place at a reasonably close school. My LEA has offered my son a place at a school about a 15-20 minute walk away. Needless to say it is an unpopular school with a poor record.