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Original poster

I don't have a reception place for September - HELP!

103 replies

flootshoot · 30/07/2013 12:11

I've posted in chat but was advised to try here.

DS is 5 in Feb. We had planned to move from Brighton to Staines for months; at one point it looked like it wasn't going to happen and as such DS has a school
Place in Brighton. Surrey would not let me apply until I had proof of address in Staines which was fair enough. In the end our move happened quite suddenly about ten days ago. I've applied to Surrey but I've now been informed that he may not get allocated a school place at all for Sept. I do know what to do other than keep on at them.

Another Mnetter suggested approaching the neighbouring counties (Bucks/Berks) but I don't know if I am allowed to do that?

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

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Original poster
flootshoot · 22/08/2013 18:19

Thanks (again!) Tiggy. I suspect that's what will happen since its probably going to be clear that that's why I'm appealing (to provoke a reaction and an offer rather than to actually go through the process). I will point out to them that time is of the essence since anything later than Sept will mean him starting school after Sept!

OP posts:
Jenny70 · 22/08/2013 18:20

Not sure how long it takes to contact you, but they have ?4 weeks to schedule a date, and I think that is 4 school weeks.... so don't hold your breath.

Flatmum and Floralnomad, do you think the independent schools contacted the council? Because isn't some funding thing related to bods on seats, and they would need to register each pupil to get funding. But you would hope it wasn't that easy for a child to fall between the cracks.

Having said that, as someone who had to home educate because of no suitable school place for my DD they really don't give a stuff about your child, only the paperwork. Our first contact was some 4 months after registering as a home schooler, and when they finally visited (about 6 months into it, supposed to be within 4w), they were visibly shocked that I had workbooks for her!!! Biut to be fair, once we turned down the school place, they did insist I filled out the home school forms so they had her on the books as being educated, but more than that they didn't care at all.

prh47bridge · 22/08/2013 18:29

they would need to register each pupil to get funding

Independent schools do not get state funding.

Agree with tiggytape about the schedule. If the LA drag their heels over arranging this it could be late September before you get a date and mid-October by the time your appeal is actually heard. I hope it doesn't take that long.

LIZS · 22/08/2013 18:34

^they would need to register each pupil to get funding

Independent schools do not get state funding.^

Many would still qualify for EY funding until they have turned 5, so need to be put down for that.

Original poster
flootshoot · 22/08/2013 18:38

Hypothetically, if it does go to appeal, and it is mid-October, that would mean him not starting at whatever school the appeals panel award until end of Oct/beginning of Nov. would they need to make provisions in the meantime for him to attend somewhere? I'm not sure how unusual my situation is!

OP posts:
tiggytape · 22/08/2013 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

eddiemairswife · 22/08/2013 19:35

The appeals panel won't award you a place. they allow or disallow appeals only for the school[s] you have appealed for.

Original poster
flootshoot · 22/08/2013 19:54

Ok, this all makes sense. Sorry eddiemair I knew that I just worded it badly!

Right, off to send it. Pow!

OP posts:
Parmarella · 22/08/2013 19:58

Approach a few schools directly.

That is what we did, our local primary took DC

Original poster
flootshoot · 22/08/2013 22:21

Palmerella the schools I've spoken to have all referred me back to the LA. they're all full so I guess could only take extra pupils if the LA forces them to.

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 22/08/2013 22:44

Unless it was some time ago Parmarella's local school should not have offered a place. For the last few years the rule was that all offers had to be made by the LA. That has now changed and the LA does not have to deal with in-year admissions.

Parmarella · 22/08/2013 22:56

Sorry if that was not helpful. DS did start school a bit later (october) as we were abroad so I guess that was why then.

Original poster
flootshoot · 22/08/2013 23:01

Please don't apologise, it's always worth hearing other people's experiences.

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Original poster
flootshoot · 23/08/2013 14:45

And lo, a school place was found.

Received an email this morning from Surrey CC responding to the email I sent on wed. They were quite shirty with me (basically denying they ever would have suggested such a thing as him having to wait until he was five Hmm), but they have found a place for him at one the extra schools I asked to have added to our list. This one is just over the border in Windsor & Maidenhead, and is 2.6 miles from our house which is not bad at all in the grand scheme of things.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who took time to advise me.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 23/08/2013 14:50

Congratulations and I hope he enjoys it when he starts .

Bambamb · 23/08/2013 15:03

What a horrendous battle for you, just reading this for the first time and I am gobsmacked!
Well done for getting a place, looks like you got some great advice here. Must be awful to be in this position, this really highlights the problems we currently have in this country with lack of school places.

Noseynoonoo · 23/08/2013 16:00

Well done. What a relief for you. What a shame that they could not be magnanimous in defeat. I'm sure the points that were raised by the experts here really helped your case :-)

titchy · 23/08/2013 16:58

Make sure they provide transport - it's over 2 miles away and is a statutory requirement - I think Surrey does offer to pay petrol if that suits?

Original poster
flootshoot · 23/08/2013 17:20

Yes we're looking into transport. I don't drive but will look into help with bus passes etc.

OP posts:
tiggytape · 23/08/2013 17:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

titchy · 23/08/2013 17:37

Bear in mind they won't offer you a bus pass, only your dc, so you might want to argue for a taxi.

TheDoctrineOfPositivityYes · 23/08/2013 20:33

Congratulations, I am shocked at Surrey CC.

RandomMess · 23/08/2013 20:45

Will they not tell you which schools in Runnymede to have reception places? I know reception places are tight generally but if you plan to move to Egham securing one in that direction would be a good idea for making friends etc.

Traffic is a nightmare around here Sad

Oblomov · 23/08/2013 21:02

Sorry you had all this. I do know Surrey have a severe shortage this year and there are supposedly many thousands of people without a school place at all.
Glad you atleast got a place.

mummytime · 23/08/2013 21:16

They will/should offer a place in Taxi or minibus, this is normal for rural students to my DCs primary. They have to offer transport if it is over 2 miles for under 8s, which then goes up to 3 miles.