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Original poster

Please help- place withdrawn!

360 replies

StellarforStarofAfrica · 11/06/2012 15:34

DD has had her place withdrawn for our 1st choice school, on the basis that her foster sibling won't be starting in their nursery until January, and not September.

They have just picked this up now due to an internal audit, and for the last 6 weeks, we've been telling her she's going to the school attached to the nursery she's been attending.

I am devastated. Not only has she missed the first appeals date, she is now probably at the bottom of the waiting list, all because of an admin issue at the admissions office.

The admin officer I have spoken to was very lovely, and explained all the protocol to me, but I am still fuming! Ther is NO WAY she is going to go to the school they have allocated her, she wouldn't last a week there, so it's either get through to first choice on appeal (I have no idea how likely this is) or home ed (gulp) which I have no idea of how to do.

Has this happened to anyone else? If so, how did you get through it?

Sorry this is a bit of a stream of consciousness, but I am really shocked and upset.

OP posts:
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Frikadellen · 26/06/2012 10:29

keeping an eye out too hoping it will be sorted

Stellarforstar · 26/06/2012 19:54

Well, I posted it special delivery, but I am fuming today.

Have just learned through another mum who has been to the block hearing today that they will be informing those who go to appeal tomorrow and Friday of their outcome the same day!

So how is DD not being disadvantaged by thier incompetence?!?!

The only other thing is that on the paperwork, of the three places that have been withdrawn (the other two were false info) only two of the places have been filled by children from the waiting list... Interesting, eh?

prh47bridge · 26/06/2012 20:44

Maybe they have realised they are on dodgy ground with your case and are holding the place. I hope so. If not, they are breaking the Admissions Code. They must allocate places to people on the waiting list as soon as they become available.

I hope that the appeals will not affect the outcome. I hope this gets sorted out without you needing to appeal.

Stellarforstar · 26/06/2012 22:54

Well, prh, some helpful soul has posted the organisational chart for that department on the tinterweb under the FoI act, so I will be cascade calling Bosslady's boss's boss's boss tomorrow. (I fear that might be apostrophe abuse) and telling the whole story to as many people as I can.

I'm fed up with it now, it's ridiculous and my reasonability is not a finite resource!

Mutteroo · 27/06/2012 02:41

OP you're doing a magnificent job. Interesting that you've had no reply from boss lady? Almost as if no one wants to admit there's been an almighty cock up??!

Keep fighting - you have the strength of mumsnetters with you!

minceorotherwise · 27/06/2012 12:36

Lurking...good luck!!

Stellarforstar · 28/06/2012 22:22

I am very fed up now.

Apparently, even though I spoke to a lovely young man yesterday who virtually guaranteed me that he would have an appeal date and time for me today, the clerk doesn't work Thursdays and Fridays, so it's not been done. Outlook diary anyone?

He also stated that the allocation of places yesterday wouldn't affect my appeal.

Also, he was at the block appeal Monday; I told him I didn't appreciate being defamed in public by Bosslady, and you know what he said? "erm.... sorry about that..."

So, I have lodged a complaint with the LGO. I don't know why I waited so long.

bizzey · 28/06/2012 22:35

Oh stella ...I still dont have any helpful advice or anything...just keep going and keep strong ...you are doing a fab job ..x and we are all rooting for you .

prh47bridge · 28/06/2012 22:38

I don't know what they think they are doing. They really don't have a leg to stand on.

Bunnyjo · 28/06/2012 22:57

OP, you are doing really well. The LA don't have a leg to stand on and they are blatently and blindly hoping that you will just, somehow, disappear. Glad you've lodged a complaint with the LGO and it might be worth speaking to the OSA again and keep them abreast of what has happened and also re-request written confirmation of things you have previously discussed.

This situation will be resolved to your satisfaction, of that I am sure. I guess it doesn't make the experience any easier, rest assured that you are, in no way, in the wrong and that you're just receiving some exceptionally bad treatment and advice from your LA.

ifeelloved · 28/06/2012 23:43

Wow what a nightmare !

roadkillbunny · 29/06/2012 00:09

Also, he was at the block appeal Monday; I told him I didn't appreciate being defamed in public by Bosslady, and you know what he said? "erm.... sorry about that..."

Have I missed something, what was said at the block hearing?
Glad you have lodged a complaint, The whole thing is farcical, the amount of errors they have made is unbelievable, their attitude is appalling and their lack of knowledge about the law and legislation governing their own department is dam well frighting. I hope the LGO throws the book at them, the whole department get re trained and the higher management gets replaced!
They better have one heck of an apology for you and your dd when they give you dd's place back. No amount of sorry is ever going to make up for the trouble and pain they have caused, I would be hoping and wistfully dreaming there was a way to sue\their asses off!

Stellarforstar · 29/06/2012 09:58

roadkill Apparently she said (and my good friend was there and told me) that 3 places had been withdrawn to to false information being entered onto forms, thus including me in that statistic

I'm hoping the complaint form from LGO comes before the appeal date now- if I go to appeal and get refused, can the LGO do anything about that? Or would it be onto court?

Thanks for all your support x

prh47bridge · 29/06/2012 10:42

Yes, the LGO can step in if an appeal fails. Indeed, they don't normally get involved in admissions cases until an appeal has failed.

They don't act as a second appeal. What they will do is make sure that the correct process has been followed, e.g. that you have been allowed to present all your evidence, the panel has not taken into consideration matters that should have been ignored nor have they ignored matters they should have considered, etc. They won't step in just because they disagree with the panel's decision but they will intervene if the panel's decision is clearly contrary to the facts.

Normally the LGO would order a second appeal with a different panel if they find that there is a problem, but in this case I think there is a good chance they would decide that there is only one possible outcome from a correctly conducted appeal and recommend that the place is reinstated.

I doubt it will come to that. I would expect any properly trained appeal panel to know that an offer cannot be withdrawn after 8 weeks on the basis of a mistake made by the LA. The only grounds on which a place can be withdrawn after that length of time is that your application was false or misleading.

Stellarforstar · 29/06/2012 13:00

Thanks prh.

Frikadellen · 29/06/2012 16:32

How frustrating Stellar I eagerly checked this when I saw update hoping for good news. Hopefully next time you post.

Housemum · 29/06/2012 18:44

Good luck, hold strong there (sorry, been lurking to find out the outcome - really hope it gets sorted)

Stellarforstar · 03/07/2012 13:44

No new news :(

Sent a scathing complaint to the LGO- still no answer to my very reasonable questions from Bosslady and no appeal date.

:( humph.

RackandRuin · 03/07/2012 13:50

I can't believe that they are still messing you about. Twats the lot of them.

They must know they are in the wrong and are just hoping you will go away, it doesn't make it any less stressful though. I hope you hear back soon.

Rainydayagain · 04/07/2012 17:13

Have you got anywhere OP?

Have you spoken to schools admissions? You ned to chase, chase, chase. Email then follow up call. Everyone everyday.

People will hope that you go away, make it clear that you will not be.

Hold your nerve and your temper ( you catch more flies with honey) you do not want to appear the mad, angry lady.

Stellarforstar · 04/07/2012 23:24

Rack and Rainyday-

Go away? Moi? Noooooooo!

Funnily enough, I have called Bosslady every day this week; so much so the lady who answers the phone doesn't even bother asking my name, just tells me she's "in a meeting."

For three days. A meeting. Really?

I feel like a poker player with 2 aces in my hand and one on the flop.

Steely, that's me!

PositiveAttitude · 05/07/2012 07:56

Could you go to the offices and make your face known? Wink (ie: be overly nice, but very firm and don't budge until you have been seen and got a date and something to work with)

Rainydayagain · 05/07/2012 08:12

Are you backing this up with an email?

Seriously they will just say no one took your call.

You emails should aLways refer to your call of previous day or just i have just called and again you are in a meeting. Still waiting for you to confirm the information for my appeal etc ect.

Her failure to communicate with you will not go down well at appeal.

Dudeypantsmum · 05/07/2012 08:19

Could you ask to be put on hold till she comes out of the meeting?

I did it once to a call centre and lasted for nearly 2 hours and can't imagine how I distorted their call rates. I was impressed with them too for not cutting me off but I think it became a battle of wills between the 2 of us to who could go the distance! It didn't help that they thought I was on hold and could hear everything they were saying about me at the beginning!

I don't think they would be able to cut you off as it would become a reason for complaint as long as you are not swearing or abusive. Or if they do call back and say very innocently 'I think you cut me off by mistake'.

Is there a timescale that they had to adhere too?

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 05/07/2012 08:27

OP,

You need to be steely and sneaky.

Get someone else to ring the office for Bosslady and then hand over to you when she comes to the phone.