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Original poster

Do school's pick up their emails during the holidays?

35 replies

Anono2022 · 27/08/2022 14:48

So I've applied for a transfer for my son that I'm hoping happens as soon as possible for reasons I can't disclose on here, but ideally he doesn't have to return to his school ever again!
There is a place at my requested school but I applied during the summer holidays. It is only 10 minutes from home but under a different LA. How likely is it that a decision will be made in time for the new term and would school place applications be picked up by the HT in the holiday's? LA have confirmed application is in processing but it all depends if they get a decision from the school.

Obviously this thread is coming from a parent who needs to move their child quickly for their wellbeing so please be kind as I know school staff are entitled to holidays.

Thanks for any advice.

OP posts:

Bananarama21 · 27/08/2022 14:54

I doubt they are checking emails its there time off.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 27/08/2022 14:58

Its not unusual to get new students starting a couple of weeks into the new term. The HT will probably be keeping an eye on their emails but it's unlikely that they will action anything that isn't an emergency. If there are serious issues with his current school can you remove him from roll and homeschool until a space is found in an appropriate school.

Pinkflipflop85 · 27/08/2022 15:00

Our admin staff, who deal with these things, finished in July. They won't return until next week. It may be the same at the school you have contacted.

ThrowawaySecondarySchool · 27/08/2022 15:02

Primary, almost certainly not. Secondary, possibly but it depends on lots of factors.

Allmarbleslost · 27/08/2022 15:04

I doubt that this would be dealt with in the holidays. I work in a secondary and our admissions person is term time only.

Original poster

Anono2022 · 27/08/2022 15:05

I feel this will he my only option but I didn't want to remove him from school education unless I had no other choice. However his wellbeing is far more important and if he continues where he is then I'm really worried for him.

I work in a school but am pretty new so I don't know what's normal. I know staff are entitled to holidays but as I say I'm just a Mom who needs to get her child in a safer environment and was hoping for a miracle they would pick up the emails from the LA

OP posts:

SpringRainbow · 27/08/2022 15:07

Its possible but not guarantee.

If you don’t hear anything before he goes back then on the day he is due back just give the office a call and explain everything.

MumofSpud · 27/08/2022 15:10

Usually you will get an out of hours email

I have been picking up my emails throughout (not that I have had that many!)
But I did get one from one of my SEN students in a panic as he had forgotten a password - luckily our fabulous IT team are in during the holidays and sorted him out when I asked them
New term resolution Password Storing lesson!

Lulu1919 · 27/08/2022 15:12

We are looking at emails from Tuesday ..after Bank Holiday here in uk

Original poster

Anono2022 · 27/08/2022 15:13

I'll keep everything crossed and I'll have to seek advice about keeping him off and home schooling. I'll also call the school when they return. They have two inset days so hopefully I can get an idea then if I haven't heard before.

OP posts:

Original poster

Anono2022 · 27/08/2022 15:17

He is a SEN child which is why I'm trying to prepare

OP posts:

LizzieBet14 · 27/08/2022 15:21

Our office staff (Primary) won't be in until the INSET days at the beginning of September but the Headteacher will definitely be in for a number of days over the Summer.
Hope you get sorted.

Original poster

Anono2022 · 27/08/2022 15:27

Am I correct in thinking it is the HT who says yes or no? I work in admin myself and we process the pupils once their place has been accepted.
I may also spend the next week exploring other schools. His school is no longer an option

OP posts:

RoseAndRose · 27/08/2022 15:28

Secondary schools have staff in over results days, but they won't be dealing with anything outside that, which may include sixth form admissions, but unlikely any others.

At all schools, there will be some staff available for exceptional incidents, plus as point of contact for any planned maintenance and procurement.

I agree that wider admin functions will resume before the start of term, but only in the days running up to it. After the Bank Hol is a good shout - perhaps see if you can get through to anyone on Tuesday. They may not be able to process it straightaway (there's a heck of a lot of other stuff going on, but at least you'll know someone will be on it, and perhaps even when it might make it to the top of the 'to do' list

pennysarah · 27/08/2022 15:32

Our Head, SENCO and a class teacher have been sending/receiving the odd email in the hols. Think it just depends on the individuals.

AntlerRose · 27/08/2022 15:35

We dont work in the holidays at my school office, but the first day back is an inset and because the LA are our admissions authority, if the LA make an offer of a place and a parent accepts it during the holidays, we can normally process it on inset and get the child started on the first day.

Original poster

Anono2022 · 27/08/2022 15:35

That's all I want, an idea how how long. What is a priority to me, I fully understand isn't going to be a priority to them. I was in school the last week myself and there was like 10 of us out of 96 so I know it's unlikely to get picked up. But even if I got an idea of 'we have a space and can offer' then I can plan the next step. My son won't be able to cope returning to have to start somewhere new soon after.
I'll call on the inset days

OP posts:

Original poster

Anono2022 · 27/08/2022 15:36

Who decides if a child is offered? HT or LA?

OP posts:

AntlerRose · 27/08/2022 15:39

It depends who the admission authority is for your school and whether the child has an ehcp?

The school should have an admissions policy on the website that tells you this.

So for my school, the LA decides.

For some schools who do their own admissions, they decide. In which case i would be phoning on the first day of term and hoping its sn inset.

Original poster

Anono2022 · 27/08/2022 15:49

Schools website says all their admissions are dealt with by the LA. However the LA have confirmed his application is in processing and it depends when the school comes back to them

OP posts:

AntlerRose · 27/08/2022 15:54

Ok. I think you might have to wait for inset and ring first thing. The process is normally very quick if the school has a space. Have the LA said if the school has a space or us that the info they are waiting for.

Original poster

Anono2022 · 27/08/2022 16:00

LA have said there is a space available and no waiting list for year group

OP posts:

AntlerRose · 27/08/2022 16:06

Thats positive. I think you stand a good chance of being in quickly as long as there isnt an sen hurdle or exclusion issue i am unaware of..

SpiderinaWingMirror · 27/08/2022 16:11

Should be quick then.We had to use the "difficult to place" process when we moved(due to lack of places rather than having a difficult child!) and she started 3rd week of September.

SpringRainbow · 27/08/2022 16:11

Yes, definitely give them a call on the inset days.

I hope it all works out for you!

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