We are experiencing a bumpy transition from private to state, despite applying for a place at local comp as soon as we we're permitted to do so - curious if others are having a similar experience. We have moved DC from small independent (chosen for SEN reasons) to the large local comp as we cannot afford VAT fee increase and want to avoid disruption to GCSES. DC does not have a start date as school apparently has so many new students to accommodate that they cannot commit to admissions meetings until after the new academic year starts. We won't have a date for the admissions meeting until after other students start back. Not only can DC not start until a start date is set at this meeting, GCSE options cannot be confirmed. We started the transfer process conversation with the school and local authority at the beginning of the year so it is frustrating to be in this situation. Hearing new education minister's comments on importance of attending the first day/week of the academic year, and the hardline crackdown on fining parents for absences, adds insult to injury. Perhaps a Ministry for Unintended Consequences will be required at some point.