What would you do to get your child into a good school?

[bossykate]

guardian article

nothing we don't already know of course, but still interesting i thought, especially given schools are clamping down on dishonest parents.

"This is beginning to sound like the Monty Python northerners sketch!"

LOL Know what you mean. What's even scarier is that it's improved to get to that figure!!!!

Blu - you might be able to make a case on medical grounds that he NEEDS to be in a smaller school. I don't know what the admissions criteria are in your area, but around here that sort of thing would be a factor in an appeal at least, and quite possibly in the initial selection,

pamina - gangs of pupils can be intimidating. But I've heard there was an attitude problem with one or two particular year groups that's not reflected in other years (not in my niece's group anyway). Just goes to show that each intake can be different and you can't always judge from this year's results.

GeorginaA!

LunarSea - thanks - I have written the letters - and have letters from his consultant and physio, too. But the schools have 'special and medical needs' last on the list of criteria for admission, and given that 'siblings' and 'proximity to school' are the top two priorities, the temporary renters quickly take up all the places in the small, one class intake, schools.

I know who one of them is.

If you were me, would you 'shop' them????

Except that it is a loophole rather than 'unlawful', so wouldn't help.

So come on MN-ers - I bet some of you have rented a local flat, or used a relatives address? Or some other trick?

We're lucky - several good schools locally and DS is down for one 5 miles away. (all schools are driving distance as we live in a rural area.

Mandy

Hmmm, I think I'm with the Clary/purpleturtle/Mud camp. I've got DD1 down for three different schools in our area, but suspect we'll only be offered a place at the one I do have some reservations about. However, I don't have so many reservations I'm prepared to move house - I think we can give it a go and see how it works out. I think DD1 will like school in any case; and if we have a less than perfect experience for a term, it isn't the end of the world.

Is that really callous and uncaring and unmotherly of me ?

blu, one of my neighbours rented a flat in camden so he could get his dd into camden school for girls (we are just in hackney) and considered it a good investment - spose it's cheaper than going private...

I'd shop them blu. I think it's unethical. When schools find out, they revoke the place, so you'd be doing the school a favour too.
I know the problems with London schools (and elsewhere too I expect but London seems especially bad) but I still think it is wrong to lie to cheat the system, however flawed the system is.

Blu, you should be in my area. Special needs are the top criteria , followed by siblings, attendance at "link" primary schools and lastly proximity.

The "link" primary school thing is why I'm already looking at secondary school Ofsted reports!

yes, mil. Ds did not get a place at our favoured local state primary precisely because they followed criteria like that (SEN, single parents etc), and I am all in favour of them just the same. It was a disappointment (great school with a lovely afterschool club) but at least one knew that the places went to people who probably needed them a lot more than we did.

yes, that's why I'm surprised to hear special needs are lowest in Blu's area. I would have thought it was at the top in most areas especially where mobility is a key issue. The odd thing is that link primary schools aren't necessarily the closest schools.

link as in feeder schools - does this concept still exist anywhere else? it's obviously not the case in all London boroughs.

Some schools in our area have feeder schools - but their catchments are set in stone!

Blu - special/medical needs are just about top priority here (I think for some reason children in council care technically ome above that - presumably so they can be placed where they're anticipated to be lnog term, rather than where they are if they're on a shorter term placement) and I'm surprised that it's not the case generally. I wonder if gathering evidence about policies elsewhere would help your case at all - I'm sure between us mumsnet could do a fairly comprehensive survey of admissions criteria for the LEA's around the country.

Absolutely - both parents are teachers and they all get on really well as a family and do things together. In the last year my niece has made some really nice friends who are all into music and drama at the same time as football and cinema. So pretty well-rounded. Her latest boyfriend is at the local boy's private school - it's been a very useful experience because they both had prejudices to overcome about the other one's school!

Blu, is the school you're talking about a normal state school (i.e. not a church school or other)? If so, I'm amazed that medical/social needs are not the top criteria for admission. I know that for primary and secondary school here it is the top criteria, followed by those in care, then siblings, then link school (for secondary), then distance.

I think you are well within your rights to speak to the council about this and complain.

The school I'm referring to had photocopied letters to parents asking them not to fight!!!
Not quite the atmosphere I had in mind for ds.
English is a second language (more accurately it's no English at all, I suspect) does bother me when it is a very high proportion and I suspect it's not managed very well - that was the impression from the Ofsted. I think it must be impossible for teachers to cope with such a mixed class. Not their fault but I cannot see how you can effectively teach children who don't speak a word of the language and are only temporary anyway alongside English-speaking children of very varying abilities. Does that sound awful? I don't mean it to.
I completely understand your worries Blu. On a smaller scale I also worry about ds, who is dyspraxic to some extent and so possibly vulnerable to bullying. I do feel pretty confident about the school that I hope he will go do - a good social and racial mix, lots of special needs, supportive of learning and with a good ethos.

LunarSea - Thanks, that's a good suggestion - I'll let you know what's happening, and may be conducting a survey soon!
The school which is our top favourite is an ordinary state primary. In fact I have just checked the website, and special needs has been wiped off the priority list altogether! Admissions is simply:
Siblings (where children will be attending at the same time for a period).
Shortest, safe walking distance between school (main pupil entrance) and child?s home address where xx is the closest school.
Shortest, safe walking distance between school and child?s home address where xx is not the closest school.

There is now a note which says that special needs will be looked at by a sub-committee but are not a priority!!

I have also applied to a Foundation School which meets DS's needs which is further away but has 'special needs' second only to siblings and children of teachers.

Aloha - I agree. The school you were talking about is ndeed v badly managed in that respect.
My borough (you know which one!) is actually starting to do really well at primary level - esp in the added value stats.

But for secondary? We will definitely move away.

Mind you... I'm being hopeful here, but if the primary schools are good in an area and feed into the secondary - might not the behaviour of the secondary improve as those children filter into it?

I'm clinging on to that hope at least.

Our local primary is very good but oversubscribed - should find out early next week if ds1 is going to get in. Am so nervous.