Primary admissions question......

[Hubertthesausagedog]

Hi everyone!

So here's my dilemma. I applied for 3 schools for this September. My first choice I would have for into any other year but this year is very over subscribed. I got my second choice school.

My 3rd choice of school was 1 form entry with 27 siblings. I knew we ha no chance of getting in, it is a lovely school though. Anyway it then added a bulge class so I asked to be added to the waiting list. The school organises it's own waiting list. I had no idea we were not meant to be added to it as we had it as 3rd choice. I got a call from this school on Tuesday saying we now have a space. I accepted it and thought all was ok.

Today I rung the council about cancelling our space at 2nd choice school and they said I was unable to accept the new school space. The new school are fine with it and are a foundation so manage there own admissions etc.

Can the LA just refuse to let us accept the place? I know it is all my fault as I put it in 3rd place but that was before I knew about bulge class. Do I have a leg to stand on?!

Thanks for reading

I suspect you told the school that you wanted to be on the waiting list and didn't tell the council. That is where things went wrong. The school should have told you to apply to the council if you wanted to go on their waiting list. The council should have accepted that application - refusal to do so would have been a clear breach of the Admissions Code. And once you were on the waiting list any offer should have come from the council, not the school.

I therefore suspect the problem is that the council think someone has accidentally put you on the waiting list for this school as you got your second choice. What has actually happened is that you have applied to the foundation school after the initial allocations, which you are entitled to do, and were placed on the waiting list.

In my view the school has messed up. When you asked to go on the waiting list they should have referred you to the council and the offer should have come through the council. However, that isn't your problem. From your point of view you made an in-year application to the foundation school, were placed on the waiting list and got a place. The council cannot refuse to allow you to accept that place.

Point out to the council that you applied to go on the waiting list for this school following initial allocations and you are now being offered a place through the waiting list. Tell them that you are accepting that place. If they attempt to block you, tell them that you will refer the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman unless they stop blocking you. Do everything in writing (email will do) so that you have evidence to submit to the LGO if it becomes necessary. Hopefully someone more senior will look at your case and accept your wish to send your child to the foundation school.

thank you for your advice, it is more positive than i thought it would be. This school hold their own waiting list, you do not call the council to get on it but have to call the school direct. The council had no idea I was on the waiting list for my third choice school. The school said as far as they are aware I have the space.

As far as I am concerned the school should have never let me on the waiting list, that is not my fault, I had no idea I was not meant to be on the list. I have nothing in writing, they rung me on tuesday and i accepted the place over the phone. The only paper work I have is the school welcome pack...

The admissions lady is ringing the school now so I`ll get back to you

Be very careful. You could easily end up with no place at any school. PRH is right , the LA are responsible for both allocating places and holding the waiting lists for all schools until the end of December. The school is responsible for putting the applications in priority order but it is the LA who do all offers.
I know you have verbally accepted the foundation school but I would definitely not decline the place you have until you get a firm offer in writing from the LA to the other school.

Hi, I have recently moved from India to the UK with my 2 year old daughter. I slightly concerned about the opaqueness of the school admissions (partly my ignorance!). I have started researching about schools but I not getting anywhere. I would like to send my daughter to the best state primary school. I am renting and willing to relocate to any place within Greater London. I need your help to make the right decision.

1. Please provide me with the names of the best state primary schools based on academics results.

1. What are the chances (how likely is it) for a child to start in a state school and then mover to good private school at 7, 11.

Thank you.

Thanks for all the advice. I have been very lucky and the LA have confirmed that I can accept the place as it has now been offered.

Ssuri I would start your own thread to get the best advice. I know that the best schools in London can have very small catchment areas. I'm really not the best person to ask though!

Well done Hubert - i changed our minds (for secondary) and asked the school (VA) to go on their waiting list. I did ask the LA, was offered a place both by the school and the LA (2 separate calls 1 day after the other), accepted - the LA told me that all was ok - original school would be informed. They weren't so for about a month, my dd had 2 schools - only came to light when original school 'phoned to see why dd didn't turn up for induction day. All ok now - always a worry when things don't get completely tied up.