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Original poster

Oh Shit Think I Have Buggered Up Their Education!!!!

29 replies

magnolia1 · 23/10/2006 14:16

The twins are due to start middle school (yr 3) next september and dd4 is due to start Reception at the same time. So 3 admission forms tto fill in. I was going to do it online but the website was down for 2 days. Finally got on it and the closing time was noon!!! The school has already sent the paper forms to Education dept at the council so I have to send in the paper forms now instead. Dh is fuming with me I should have tried to do it online earlier. Rang the council and they said even 1 day late means they wont look at our forms until after everyone elses and it will be next march

So now they may not get into the schools which are within a 2 minute walking distance of our house all because I was stupid and left it too late

OP posts:
WelshBoris · 23/10/2006 14:20

dont panic until you know for sure

research all options

and dont worry you havent buggered anything up!

Iklboo · 23/10/2006 14:21

DH could have filled them in himself
Try not to panic. Complain that the online service was down for 2 days as well.

RanToTheHills · 23/10/2006 14:22

take them in, now today. Know it's half-term but bound to be someone there - get applic date stamped and followup by (nicely) hounding the secretary. We did similar thing and this strategy worked for us!

Orlando · 23/10/2006 14:23

I think it's time to play the aggressive-defensive role.

Ring them and declare your fury at their inefficient web service, saying that if they offer an online facility then they should ensure that it is kept functioning, especially at vital periods approaching deadlines, and stating that you expect them to extend the deadline in this case as the fault was on their part.

But also sound quite nice too.

Good luck. I'm sure all is not lost.

throckenholt · 23/10/2006 14:25

Complain that the website was down and you have not been able to do it - they should give you 2 days leeway if it was down for 2 days (well worth a try anyway).

Original poster
magnolia1 · 23/10/2006 14:39

Can't take them today, don't drive and Dh at college till wednesday! Going to send them recorded delivery and write a letter (making sure they know I was relying on their online service making it easier to get the applications in!!) Fingers crossed it works.
I know dh could have done them but it was me saying 'Don't worry hun, I can do it online, will only take a few minutes!' that made him leave it to me

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TwigTwoolett · 23/10/2006 14:40

get a taxi and hand deliver them

I wouldn't delay if I were you if the rest of them got there today ..maybe by turning up in person and explaining you can get someone to just put them with the school's pile

Blu · 23/10/2006 14:42

How much would a taxi cost? I would hand deliver them today if at all possible..citing the website mess, but i would have thought that it would help if they arrived on the same day as the online closing date.

Blu · 23/10/2006 14:43

Honestly - it will be worth it in the face of the 'if only....if only'''feeling you may be left with.

TwigTwoolett · 23/10/2006 14:44

at least you will know you did everything possible to make up for their online crash

be nice as pie to the people in the office ... ask to speak to the manager .. appreciate that it isn't their fault .. tell them how extremely worried you are .. ask if their forms can be included with the school submissions .. cry a little

RanToTheHills · 23/10/2006 14:45

yes, hand deliver anyway possible, likely to make a huge difference. we got ds's applic form for place at 1st school with mins to spare (i kid you not, board of govs were about to meet and wd not have considered it afterwards!)

LadyMuck · 23/10/2006 14:45

How oversubscribed are the schools? If they are not very oversubscribed then you would probably still get in. If they are way over subscribed, then what are the nearest schools that are likely to have places, and are you happy with those?

Blu · 23/10/2006 14:48

I sympathise, magnolia, and really hoe it will all be ok - it probably will be, but I would be beside myself with rage with DP if he did this, and wouldn't let it drop until he had walked barefoot in the snow to deliver it, if needs be.

Original poster
magnolia1 · 23/10/2006 14:49

its nearly 20 miles away

Have phoned them again and they said it doesn't matter when they get it because the school sent them on Friday and they would not accept that their website was down

Will still write a letter in with the forms, can I send all 3 forms together??

OP posts:
LIZS · 23/10/2006 14:51

Can't you do them online now ? I doubt they'll really cut off at noon .

RanToTheHills · 23/10/2006 14:51

ok, demand nicely to speak to the head and also see how you can now send forms direct to educ department.

Original poster
magnolia1 · 23/10/2006 14:51

The schools are not badly oversubscribed and their are other local schools but I would rather home school to be honest. Thats what I will do and then have them on a waiting list for as long as needed until they get a place in our 1st choice schools.

Shit, What a fecking plonker I am!!!!

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Original poster
magnolia1 · 23/10/2006 14:52

Lizs, it won't let me I have tried

OP posts:
RanToTheHills · 23/10/2006 14:53

i don't think it's too late if you do sth direct with educ department today, why can't you?

LadyMuck · 23/10/2006 14:53

When was the deadline, Friday or today? Do you have a friend who could help? Worrying that the council do not recognise that the site was down - do you know anyone esel who was aware of it (as this could give you grounds for appeal).

If the deadline is today then you must hand deliver. Recorded delivery will simply prove that you submitted it late.

Original poster
magnolia1 · 23/10/2006 14:53

Have rang the school, no head or deputy in until wednesday!!!!!!!

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Original poster
magnolia1 · 23/10/2006 14:54

No, deadline for paper forms was Friday.

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LIZS · 23/10/2006 14:55

Can you scan the forms in and email them ?

Blu · 23/10/2006 14:56

But if deadline for online forms was noon today, they must still be gathering in the online ones...that's why I'd take it in..and say they should treat your paper version as an online one because of the site being down. iyswim..

Original poster
magnolia1 · 23/10/2006 14:56

Nope, no emails or faxes accepted.

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