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Original poster

Primary school admission complex situation

40 replies

Millionnewnames · 27/08/2021 17:04

Not sure where we stand…
Ds due to go into reception this September. Which is now days away. He doesn’t have a place. We started the process of moving house in December and there has been so many balls ups along the way we’ve just had it confirmed that we are moving into the new property in a couple weeks . It’s in an outer London borough if that makes any difference, different LA to where we are now.
DS has had issues with hearing and a speech delay that has him communicating about 18 months behind. Other than that he’s bright and talented he can actually write a bit even though you can barely understand him talking. He’s been reliably toilet trained day and night since 2.5, can dress himself make snacks etc , he’s horribly stubborn and prefers to do things on his own ( just to give an idea of what he’s like)
Anyway, with no current school offer ( we declined the random one allocated from the LA we are leaving) I’m just trying to work out what might happen next…
There is a school about 50 yards from the end of our drive. It’s great, ticks every box. It’s also oversubscribed. Presumably he’ll join a waiting list behind others?
The next nearest is too far for me to travel to as I have mobility problems and don’t drive .
So if it’s not the school next door I don’t think I can realistically let him start anywhere.
I work from home. I can’t homeschool him though, it’s out of the question . He needs the social interaction and the opportunity to be around adults who are well and normal .
I think if the LA can’t / won’t put him in the school on our road , I’d be looking at paying a small fortune for a childminder to do all the running about , I’d lose money and may aswell just let him stay indoors and try and make use of the garden. Id have to stop work. He’d not see any other kids though and he’s already a bit odd/ awkward.
He was at nursery all week prior to this and thrived.
I think my rambling is basically asking will he get priority given he has no allocation, my disability and the close proximity.
Will he perhaps have to start on the next intake and me find some help to educate / care for him privately in the meantime?
Any thoughts or knowledge welcome as I’m absolutely clueless .

OP posts:

RamsayBoltonsConscience · 27/08/2021 17:16

Is your ds 5 yet? Does he have an EHCP for his difficulties? If he's 5, you are likely to have the LA chasing you as he's legally supposed to be in school, if not you have some breathing space. If he has an EHCP, you can name a school and they are legally obliged to take him unless they can provide evidence that they are unable to meet his needs.

RamsayBoltonsConscience · 27/08/2021 17:17

And in terms of priority - no. Unless there is an EHCP no, he will just go on the waiting list with everyone else.

Africa2go · 27/08/2021 17:29

There are some posters which specialise in this area, so they may be able to help, but have you been in contact with the LA in the new area before now? What do they say?

I think you'll have to go on the waiting list.

User5827372728 · 27/08/2021 17:31

If you are that close you may jump up the waiting list and be the first on it.

Has he got an EHCP?

HotPenguin · 27/08/2021 17:34

Where I live I believe the wait list is on distance not length of time? I may be wrong, but worth checking. Also where I live, if you can't get into your first choice primary, and the school you are given is too far to walk, you are entitled to free transport.

PotteringAlong · 27/08/2021 17:35

I’d be looking at paying a small fortune for a childminder to do all the running about

Well, yes. How do you think people manage?

SheWoreYellow · 27/08/2021 17:36

@RamsayBoltonsConscience

If he’s due to go to reception in sept he won’t be five yet?

SheWoreYellow · 27/08/2021 17:37

Surely you’d be better to pay a childminder than to give up work?

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 27/08/2021 17:41

@Millionnewnames you are best reporting your own thread and getting this moved onto the "primary school" board. This generic education thread won't have as much traffic.

Original poster

Millionnewnames · 27/08/2021 17:43

Thanks for responses so far. No EHCP . There was an IAELD done by his nursery worker that placed his speech at age 2.5 . Everything else was at or above his age range.He is 4 and 3 months. I suspect he will catch up just fine with a little SALT ongoing and if I keep working with him.
I suspect he wouldn’t qualify for an EHCP as his issues are minor in the great scheme of things.
I wondered whether my disabilities made a difference as I should reasonably be able to take him to and meet him from school and be able to fetch him if he’s ill. The school on my new road is the only one that I could do that with. No family or friends or help or support other than my older child who’s about 30 mins away and works full time.
So legally , he doesn’t need to be at school yet. It might be possible to put him on the waiting list for said school and muddle through until it becomes available. I just worry if that’s to his detriment that’s all. It’s a bit stressful .

OP posts:

Marni83 · 27/08/2021 17:43

Why did you turn down the “random” one given to you?

Marni83 · 27/08/2021 17:44

The beginning of school is great for children
They are introduced very slowly and gently
I would do everything for him to start at the beginning and not join mid way through reception

Marni83 · 27/08/2021 17:46

@HotPenguin

Yes it is distance No council has a waiting list drive by how long you are on it

Original poster

Millionnewnames · 27/08/2021 17:48

@Marni83
Because it would be about an hour from where we were moving to .
And if kids are on the list by distance then it’s really good news as he’s 3 houses from the school so I imagine the closest child waiting for that year.
Thanks for this. Looks a lot more positive .

OP posts:

RandomMess · 27/08/2021 17:49

I would formally defer his start until next year as he's a summer baby and put him in a local pre-school or nursery for an additional year.

PotteringAlong · 27/08/2021 17:52

I should reasonably be able to take him to and meet him from school

But you’re at work. So you couldn’t. Lots of people can’t take or meet their children from school.

Smartiepants79 · 27/08/2021 17:57

Put him on the waiting list, you never know how quickly that will sort itself out.
My understanding is that the only issues that are taking into account when allocating school places are those of the child itself. Not parents. The fact that you’ve got transport issues isn’t really their problem ( as they see it)
You’ve also got a bit of an issue with the fact that you declined the space you were given. The LA are now seen to have discharged their duty to your son and ( I understand) don’t have to do anything much further.
I may be wrong and someone will come along and correct me if so.

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/08/2021 17:57

No your disability won’t make any difference at all. You say “we” is that your partner?

Smartiepants79 · 27/08/2021 17:58

Look at the admissions criteria for your chosen school. If distance from school is 2nd on the list then you might find yourself high up the waiting list as you would fall higher up the criteria than some other families.

roses2 · 27/08/2021 17:59

As long as its not a faith school you've got a really good chance of getting in based on distance. If it's London you'll probably get a call the first week of term asking him to come - it's that transient!

Get yourself on the list ASAP. You'll need proof of address. Have you got that yet?

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/08/2021 18:00

@Millionnewnames as your child is summer born you can keep him in nursery ( funded in the same way as any 3/4 year old) and request a reception place for 2023. Some areas are easier than others to her a reception rather than year one place for 2023.

ShingleBeach · 27/08/2021 18:03

Places on waiting lists are allocated according to the published admissions criteria for a two breaker or over subscription.

So probably Looked After, Sibling, Distance.

London has a highly mobile population and If it is a school with more than one form entry you have a greater chance of someone just not turning up on the first day because they have moved.

ShingleBeach · 27/08/2021 18:09

But get in the list!

And meanwhile put him in the nursery.

Theworldisfullofgs · 27/08/2021 18:09

Given your situation, your child's age and his speech delay, I'd look to defer (or whatever the term is), and apply for reception next year. He'll only be 5 and 3 months do barely older than the September birthdays.
I'd then look for a really good preschool/nursery for this year.

Original poster

Millionnewnames · 27/08/2021 18:12

@PotteringAlong

I should reasonably be able to take him to and meet him from school

But you’re at work. So you couldn’t. Lots of people can’t take or meet their children from school.

@PotteringAlong Oh I understand that I was a working single mum all through my daughters childhood and many a time had to run out of the office to attend some crisis or other at school. I’m thinking more in the practical sense, in an emergency. I physically can’t walk far now even sitting in a cab for 30 minutes is a struggle. New illness , new set of challenges. And I suppose my anxiety about these things just makes me desperately hope he is only a few doors away. From other posters though it looks like he’ll be top of the list anyway because he’s on the doorstep so I’ll probably chill out a bit now and put the application in ( I already attempted once but it was rejected as we still lived here) so on moving day I’ll email my proof of address to the council and hope it’s quick.

OP posts:

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