Can a head teacher refuse to sign transfer papers?

[nickymills]

I wont bore you with all details, but i went to look at a new school, for my boys, year 1 and year 4, yesterday. The new school have accepted my boys, and they start september. The new school have asked for transfer papers to be signed by the head, of the schools, they attend now. There are 5 other families, who have children in year 4, who have also had problems with the school and have moved their children, but said the head teacher was extremely rude to them, one was spoken to in a public area with other teachers and parents present!

What i want to know is, can he refuse to sign them? Ive googled like mad, this morning, but cant find anything about the transfer of pupils. If im totally honest, i dont want to speak to him, he normally gives u lip service, just to get you out of the door, and our minds made up, they are moving regardless of what he says. Do i have to speak to him?

Yes, they can, but it doesn't affect you. The admissions code sets out the requirements for LAs and schools. Any local policy can add benefit to parents, but can't take away their rights.

The code says that if there is a place, it must be given. Full stop.

Sorry to sound thick, so even if he refuses, they can still start in september? Thanks for you response x

Yes nicky, it has nothing to do with him!

Thank you. Feel so much better! The kids break up on friday, so know he will drag his feet, but we are away the first 3 days back, in sept, so was hoping he'd have signed them by then, oh well, sod him lol

He's signed them but disagreed with what ive said but has agreed it best for them to leave, but hasnt put a reason why, idiot, so ive given them back to the office. He didnt even want to speak to me

I woulnd't worry too much about what the Head said.

Years ago I moved my son from his primary school to another, and the Head wrote a most damning report. It was so bad, that the new Head took the attitude that this must be a load of rubbish, no child was so awful, the old head clearly had a down on him and that she would form her own judgement, thank you very much. Which she did, and my son thrived at the school. (And started a trend of movement from the first school.)