Three weeks in and still no school for DD. (long, sorry)

[m1m1rie]

I am posting this just before I retire to bed, but would love any advice/response on this and I will log back on in the morning.
We moved at short notice during the summer holidays, only finding out about our impending move two weeks before the schools broke up. I got straight to it, trying to find a school for DD who was about to enter Yr 7. I contacted Notts LEA and researched local schools on the internet, singling out one in particular as perfect for DD. I wrote to them an explained our situation, and was surprised to get an application form and prospectus within the week. I sent it back the following day with a supporting letter but heard nothing. Despite repeated calls to the school, there was never any answer even right up to the day before term started. I finally got hold of them on the first day of term, only to be told that there was no place for her. Why didn't they tell me that at the outset, instead of encouraging me to apply (thus insinuating that she would have a place)? I have appealed against the decision, and am actually quite confident, but they have told me that the appeal won't be heard until some time in October! I have since rang Notts LEA several times to help me place her somewhere, but to no avail. I filled out a form with several preferances on it, but still nothing. I even applied to Doncaster LEA in the vain hope that they may come up with something, but no. Eventually, a local school I rang last week said they could probably accommodate her, but could not see us until Friday Sept 29th!! By that time she will have had an extra 4 weeks off school. As we lived in Suffolk previously, Yr 7 was no big deal as we had the primary/middle/upper system, so Yr 7 fell in the middle of middle school (so to speak), but here it is the first year of upper school, so she has missed out on starting along with everybody else. I feel very let down that she has missed out on so much and at the apathetic attitude by the education authorities. Each time I have rung them they can't offer any constructive advice, and every form I have requested I have had to wait a week for -they just don't seem bothered that she has no school to go to. They would soon be on my case if I took her on holiday for a month, though. Any 'insider information' gratefully received.

Sorry no advice to offer, as not experienced Notts LEA apart from being a pupil in the area many years ago, but BUMP for someone who can.

I have no exp of this but am completely shocked and horrifed at the attitude of the leas.Do they not have a legal obligation to find your dd a place?
Your poor dd,having to start in the middle of the term.

No advice re the lack of school places...but maybe worth you looking up some local Home education groups or after school clubs & societies etc so your LO can make some friends locally while a place is found for her.

Again, no advice but am absolutely and appalled on your behalf ....

I live in NZ and although schools can (and do) turn children away if they are out of the catchment zone schools have to, by law, take children from within their zone.

can you ask about one-to-one supply teaching type thing for her - so that she is at least not missing out on too much schooling (even if she is missing the social aspect which you really can't do anything about).

I have friends who go to children's houses to do one-to-one with them (for a variety of reasons).

Are there any other schools in the area that have places? May not be your first choice I know.

The school we are visiting tomorrow is our catchment school, and really not in my top 5. I have given up on all but one of my preferred schools (that one is the one I am appealing for), but I would accept this local school as I can't seem to get anywhere with any of the others I really want. I am just shocked at the lack of concern or help from the authorities. I have tried really hard to get her a place.

The LEA has a legal duty to provide a place for her. They do, after all, manage to find places for the violent children who get expelled from other places. If she is missing this much school, I would be on the phone, writing letters, sending emails to everyone I could think of asking why it is that the LEA is failing in it's duty to educate your child. If they can't find her a place, they should be providing her with home education.