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Original poster

No offers from school 13+

76 replies

hattiebatty · 25/02/2014 13:33

Does anyone have any experience of not been accepted into a school at 13+?
We are in the unfortunate position of not having a place for our child for year 9.

All the entrance tests are over. What should we do?

The head at our school is useless

OP posts:
dog1dog2 · 25/02/2014 13:43

where are you in the country?

Original poster
hattiebatty · 25/02/2014 13:55

Herts/Bucks border

OP posts:
wordfactory · 25/02/2014 13:56

Where did you apply OP?

Original poster
hattiebatty · 25/02/2014 13:58

3 independent schools in my area (I cant name them as I might out myself)

OP posts:
SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 25/02/2014 14:01

What have the LEA said to you about it? I think they will have to offer you a place somewhere, but it may not be one you would want especially.

I am sorry, it must be a very stressful situation.

pussycatdoll · 25/02/2014 14:02

Presumably the LEA will have to find your child a place by law

Original poster
hattiebatty · 25/02/2014 14:04

We really wanted to stay in the Private sector DS is very shy. My school has led me a merry little dance, I tell you.

OP posts:
dog1dog2 · 25/02/2014 14:09

I would ring round all the private schools in your area. Literally. They can't all be full. Do you want day or boarding?

wordfactory · 25/02/2014 14:10

So your DS sat three entrance tests and wasn't offered places?

Were they very selective schools?

SonorousBip · 25/02/2014 14:17

Firstly, I'm really sorry. It's a very hard position to be in but you are going to have to be really proactive and tenacious.

However rubbish your head is, you need to get them to "own" this problem. Head's can do much, much more than individual parents. He or she should be working the phones for you. and however cross you are - and I would potentially be furious, if it points to poor advice on his or her part - you need to save the post mortem until later and work on looking forward. Remember this will reflect very badly on your current school if they do not resolve it - no one wants to send their child to a prep school with a history of not getting Y8 children into schools and then doing nothing about it. FWIW I know someone at the dcs school who did not get any offers anywhere - it happens - and the head moved heaven and earth to get a place.

You might also want to speak to an education consultant who deals with school placements (Gabbitas?) It will cost you, but this might be one of those times when it is money well spent.They will have a good idea about schools who really have places. The reality is there will be schools - and good ones - who will happily take another fee income stream but may not be advertising that they have places.

Finally, your poor DS. I hope he is not too demoralised. It is a really hard situation and very confidence sapping - hope he is ok.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 25/02/2014 14:23

Fair enough if you would prefer to stay in private education, but it may be worth asking the LEA where your state place would be. You may find it to be a school you wouldn't completely object to so at least you would have a back up plan if all else fails.

As advised above though, I suppose all you can do is ring every private school within a commutable distance & visit the ones with a place available. I agree that DS's current HT's input could be valuable in securing him a place somewhere you would want.

meditrina · 25/02/2014 14:26

Poor you and your poor DS Thanks

I agree with the advice above. You need to put a rocket under the HT so he hits the phones for you. But you need to ring round yourself as well, to any school you can reach, and consider too if weekly boarding would be suitable, manageable and affordable as that would increase your range of schools.

And also apply for a state place as a back up.

mary21 · 25/02/2014 15:06

What about St Christopher's letchworth. Or sherradswood. Or there is one I am trying to think of near Milton keynes

Original poster
hattiebatty · 25/02/2014 15:07

We applied to selective schools but not the top selective`s. We are not the only parents in this situation, there are at least 4 others.

OP posts:
Original poster
hattiebatty · 25/02/2014 15:08

Mary, thanks you for suggestions but we are not near MK. We are more Herts than Bucks.

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funambulist · 25/02/2014 15:13

Definitely ring round. I have a friend who had to move her DS at v short notice (bullying) from state secondary to private. They were outside the normal timetable for moving schools but managed to find him a place at a school which they are all happy with. Your DS will have to do entrance tests for these schools though, so you need to find out why he didn't get offers at the ones that you applied for and what you/he need to do differently if he gets another bite at the cherry.

diabolo · 25/02/2014 15:15

Does it have to be a day school? I have friends whose not very academic DC's flexiboard at a school that does surprisingly well in the league tables given the low CE % required for acceptance and has a good reputation for sport, drama, music etc.

I'd be happy to pm you the name if interested.

wordfactory · 25/02/2014 15:16

OP, has the HT received any feedback from the schools that rejected your DS application?

Original poster
hattiebatty · 25/02/2014 15:23

The head is no help whatsoever he has really let us all down. I could go into all the failing of the school since the new head came but I will try to refrain myself.

He told us to call the schools ourselves to find out what went wrong and wont call on our behalf to try to get them into the schools we applied for.

I have never heard of children without schools from a prep. What a waste of money.

OP posts:
Original poster
hattiebatty · 25/02/2014 15:23

Yes please Diabolo

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ShredMeJillianIWantToBeNatalie · 25/02/2014 15:56

That is disgraceful behaviour by the Head. There is such a huge range of schools in this area that there is absolutely no need for any child to be left with no place, irrespective of the child's ability.

I'm leaving to pick up now from school, but off the top of my head have you looked at St Columba's in St Albans, Aldenham, or St Christopher's in Letchworth?

Really feel for you OP.

Itscoldouthere · 25/02/2014 16:12

Sorry to hear OP

Is there a chance that some places could come up after September?

We have 2 children, both of them joined out of the usual admission times and at different times (as in - one joined in 2011 and one 2013) one joined yr 9 at Easter time and the other year 8 after Christmas.

They are at one of the schools mentioned above. It may be that this school has a bit of general movement or it could be that it happens in lots of schools especially ones that are close to London?

LIZS · 25/02/2014 16:18

I have heard it happen occasionally , or a late change of plan if no financial assistance offered, don't despair . Call any of the schools you may have previously discounted and ask if they are running a second round of entrance tests - many will to fill places declined in the next week - or if they will make an offer based on interview/CE if your ds is due to sit it. Current head sounds like a disgrace , most , or a nominated deputy, would be on the phone asking questions about exam performance and discussing alternatives with you.

diabolo · 25/02/2014 16:51

I've PM'd you OP.

Incidentally, both of those schools would be about 60 to 90 minutes from you travel wise. We are about 55 mins from Bishops Stortford if that gives you a better idea.

ladybyron · 25/02/2014 16:56

A few years ago a I know of a boy who got no day places at 13+ but got into Mill Hill, North London on a boarding place subsequently. Your headmaster should be doing all this.