School places

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Hi! I am new to the mumsnet community...I'm having a 7 years old child and I have aplied for a place at school in London this year and I obtained it. And as I was waiting for the letter confirmation it didn't camed so I was starting to be worried! So I called the school and they told me that someone from the council has been taken my child's place...later to find out that someone called the council telling them that my child is no longer wishing to go to school in the UK...so now my child does not have a place, because someone called and has done harm to me and my child so easily. I do not know what to do...to get my childs place back, because obviously something is not right here! Could you please tell me if u do know what I can do in these situation? Thank you

I suggest you re-post this message in the "Primary Education" area and put in the word "Appeal" in your title. There are several very knowledgeable people regarding appeals who may be able to help you. Good luck.

Contact the local education authority and say

1. Your child still wants a place at the school and you need the place to be reinstated (given back) immediately

1. The LEA was wrong to take the place away without confirming it in writing with you. If they intended to withdraw the place, they should have obtained written confirmation from you that you no longer wanted it. Taking the place away on the basis of a phone call alone is not good enough.

1. Ask the LEA for details of this phone call - who did the person claim to be? What did they do to follow it up? Why did they not write to you?

1. If the LEA does not give back the place, you will take the matter to appeal and will highlight how sloppy the LEA has been

You may also have grounds for a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman as there has (on the facts you mention here) been serious maladministration here.

Agree with Lttlefish that you should repost this in Primary or get Mumsnet to move the thread.

Can I just check something. You say you applied for a place and obtained it. Did you get a letter offering your child a place at this school? If so, did you accept the offer? Who was supposed to send you a confirmation letter? How long were you waiting for the confirmation letter?

Provided you got a letter offering the place the LA has definitely got it wrong and I agree with ComeIntoTheGardenMaud as to what you should do next.