Anyone without a school place or a low preference!

[MacademiaNut]

Tell me how are you coping???

What options are you considering?

Tell me it's just not me that wants to punch other mums who have their first choice and berate everyone who has an elder sibling...

I am sick of feeling like a social pariah for actually wanting and not getting the best local school.

Should I write to the local paper, start tweeting, fob in anyone I think was potentially being fraudulent ...

Or keep quiet and keep my fingers crossed.

I feel ill I can't be like this until Sept...

i There is a ghastly atmosphere at nursery. We've been told not to discuss overtly as parents are so upset.

I remember this happening at our preschool when I was going through this a few years ago (in Richmond, which fails to place quite a lot of children each year). I know it doesn't seem like it now, but honestly in a few years time you will wonder what all the fuss was about. I know people who hung on grimly for their first choice, only to loathe it and move to a much lower choice after their child had actually started school. I know people who shrugged their shoulders and accepted it and ended up perfectly happy with their supposedly not very good school. I even know people who went private in absolute horror at what they'd been allocated, only to move their kid to the least popular school in our local area (which they'd initially rejected) a year or two later!

DD, btw, is at the least popular school locally, having a great time, doing really well both socially and academically and I honestly can't see a thing wrong with it (apart from I wish they'd be a bit better at general communication, but that seems to be a common problem with primary schools).

If your area has lots of children without places, do hang on because there is likely to be a lot of movement in the lists between now and September. There certainly is around here, and even after term begins there will be some changes.

What are PAAs?

Priority admissions areas, bit like defined catchments.

Thanks.

Op, of course you are under

Op, of course you are understandably upset.

But preferences are just that - they are not choices. Any Ofsted good school is always likely to have more applicants than places compared to a needs improvement school. There's not much councils can about that - they don't control Ofsted or house moves to get nearer to a "good school" (though they can action fraudulent moves of course)

Bulge classes go in the schools that can best absorb the additional capacity, not necessarily the most unpopular. If your council is correct that they would have to take more children from a neighbouring borough (I think there is an exchange of budget so it's not necessarily a financial decision) it may well not have made things better for you as the other borough children might be nearer.

There's a very downbeat atmosphere at our preschool too. DD got in (catchment + sibling) but 3 of her little friends won't be joining her, it seems so unfair (although I know most of the children who'll be in her class next year, and they're all very 'deserving' of a place too). It's a horrible, horrible system.

The 3 children from her preschool class who didn't get in are comprised of:

• a child who is looked after by a grandparent whilst her parents work (full time). Grandparent lives a stone's throw from the school and doesn't drive. The parents will now have to budget for breakfast and after school clubs and the child will have a long day of school/childcare.
• a child with additional needs (who had thrived in preschool and would benefit from the school's excellent provision for children with additional needs)
• a child with a sibling already at the school

I'm not arguing that any of these children are more deserving of a place, just recognising that it's not just ofsted etc that is driving the shortage.

This is a rural primary school with no nearby competition. I dread to think what it's like in the towns.

I totally agree Never.

Children are being moved around like commodities. There is no accounting for friendship groups or local convenience.

There has got to be a reduction in the community feel of a school /area if local children are not together. It's more like a working environment IMO.

In Never's case, it sounds like all the attendees are local, bit there are not enough spaces for local children. But if, say, there are 10 local children without a space at the school and there are spaces elsewhere in the borough, the LA has to redistribute.

Im in a simialr position. We've decided to go with local improving school. Thw outstaning school that we didnt get into was last inpected quite a few years ago and the report says that the demographic of the school is a changing picture. Weve therfore come to the conclusion that it might not stay outstanding for long. The school weve chosen is good and things can only get better and from what im reading schools that are good or require improvement get more money thrown at them to improve. I also think a lot depends on the head teacher.

However still bitter at the fact that people are so brazen about renting to secure place and after reading this thread might shop someone too. But do they ask for your name to verify that you and not just causing trouble. Afraid of being found out by the other mums although i keep saying to myself im not the one who has done wrong, they are.

I thought about sending an anonymous letter to the borough. But I also thought maybe the person could identify who sent it.

Incidentally I also think her husband is doing some serious tax avoidance ( that also makes me think more than likely they are being fraudulent with schools..).

The council shouldn't pass on your name to those they are investigating. They should look at eg council tax records, contact the applicants to ask for rental agreements etc. It's not just "so-and-so says"

But ask when you ring up if you are worried.

In our case, they've spent the last 10 or so years building more housing with no investment in the local school. They just expect the (surviving) schools in the surrounding villages to pick up the slack. With the children above, #1 is technically out of catchment (by Mum's address), but only by a whisker. GP who does all daytime childcare (and always has) is a 2 minute walk from the school gates. #2 is out of catchment, but their nearest school (very tiny village school, just 2 classes from memory) may not be able to cope (and couldn't at preschool level, hence coming to ours) Fair enough, I guess, but still very sad. #3 are out of catchment BUT when they moved to the area mid-term a few years back their nearest school couldn't accommodate their older child, who was subsequently allocated our school. Now, through no fault of his own, older child will probably have to be moved away from friends and community.

What they should be doing is extending the facilities at our school as they have extended the housing, rather than what they did so which was to create a 'consortia' of 4 village schools. It wouldn't solve everyone's problems, but in the cases above, #3 would have a place and there would be a greater chance of places left for #1 and #2

I should add that, two of the other schools in our consortium are in tiny rural hamlets and many of the people in their catchment areas live closer to one of the two larger village schools.

I feel for you - this was us last year. We got in from the waiting list. We were 3rd on the waiting list and were offered a place at the end of June.

We didn't get any of our 3 choices for DS1 last year and whilst we live in a city with 3 schools within 15-20 mins walk, we got a school 2 miles away. It still gives me the rage when I'm sitting in the bastard car on the school run watching mums from the next street do their nice little walk to school

It makes a mockery of green travel plans for schools doesn't it.

I really think that if you have knowledge of a cheater then tell your lea. This is the only way that collectively it will get stopped in future. I suspect two families at our school have used false addresses and if my hunch is true I will be passing it on to others. You can ask the LEA for you to remain anonymous - I know some did who did that in the past

So lad someone started this thread to outside world i guess im handling it well I wont let them see me cry or be upset.

The horror started at midnight 16th when logged in to find none of 3choices 3rd choice 5mins walk.

1st choice school where eldest child attends.

3rd choice totally random academy with lottery admission as felt Like had nothing to lose.

The lovely council allocated us a school that was i special measures a distance way from eldest school in wrong direction.

Now dont get me wrong its not totally awful its a defauly eeveryones 3rd or allocated school must be aful to work at school no one actaully chose.

so rang admissions who said cant tell you distances, waitlists you need wait your letter.

rang nearby lea as we close border and asked which nearby schools.

They were very helpful but had wait my lea to sed letter then send back to them to then send to neigbouring lea who the have pass onto school if its a an academy.

make it more complicated we moved house end feb deadline addmissions 15th jan could not ammend change of address until offers made as any details count as late applicant.

so ammned our address online form.

ring up monday they think probably gone old adress they send out 2nd letter.

still not letter ring today they have no new adress or they ot sure the computer online system works.

I cant do anything without paper work so then emailed them and said look hurry up as deadlines appraching and dont really want allocated school..

make it worse eldest was upset last week and younger daughter tld her school applicatios were like party invites now shes sad as she has no school although trying get her enthused about homeschool.

we moved dd1 id year to smal village school as her old scool failed her and was one of few schools that had vacancies and shes flourished.

its 25min walk as I dont drive but been worth it.

dd2 moved to local preschool last sept and any of her freinds going to school 1.

Dd3 is due start local preschool 5mins walk from school 1 and hes due start next sept so have go through this horror again.

Our shitty council operate local siblings policy which means of school has defined area or you live outside 2miles you have no sibling link neigbouring lea less than half mile from my ouse siblings sibling move 10miles still get sibling in.

The next 2nearest schools to scool 1 are in neigbhouring council and have vacancies both acedemies `1 a sink school and has 30/vacancies with pan of 60.

hoping look at one of schools but its further way from our ouse but close dd1s school.

worked out cost me 180 quid month do do breckfast club and afterschol as cant be 2places at one time and have dd3 think about too a 3rd location of preschool.

so decided to home ed we think whilst looking at neigbouring school aplying and deferig until jan and hope something comes up by then.

dd2 is 5 sept and desperate go school.

have had shock and disbelife most people locally smuggly said on fb got 1st choice.

had some peopl say move house we only just moved 2months ago or go private cant aford that or move eldest to shitty allocated school make life easier for me,

dd1 has 3years left shes going no where.

dd3 due start next year really not sure hes ready so was hoping defer him anyway.

but dd2 is sold and desperate .

coucil cant tell us where we are
2
we 1 of 4sibligs that i kow that dident get in this year with pan of 20.

one ishas got 2nd choice and shes hoping move her edlest i dd1s class gutted as they mates ad agry they splitting up freindships with daft decisions.

1 siblin glives nearer than me.
heard anout local lady in tantrum as dident get her 1st or 2nd and ended up with our choice as her 3rd doesnt seem fair.

i know few stats too but not for all schools.

school no 2 new free school hd 201 applicatios , offers 30 and keeps everyone eaitlist we no 105 sounds dire but if one of 30 dont accept or anyone leaves the 170reiaing people get put into hat and drawn out numbers which means have equal chance im just hoping 2dont start and 1 leaves maybe just lingshot but least stand equl chance unlike school 1.

school 3 is near us but now im just ooratioally agry and want choice 1 or 2.

today preschool had board with kids names and schools.

i said why they said needed forward stuff on said we had no school the they asked about allocated school and they were sending stuff and I aid nooo as we not accepting and may homeschool seemed shock them.

shocked hv yesterdaybut how else will mange ait all

one mum today confessed she rented a flat and lived in it for 6 months to get aplace.
se asked council if ok and they said yes.

had hear at toddlers how happy everyone is.

try and explain to neigbours and family.

3as, I would accept your third choice school (can you do online?) and then look at appeals and waiting lists.

..,you can always decide later to home ed. I don't think you can defer as your DD is 5 in sept.

Was wound up enough with my own situation. Reading all

Reading of all of your stories has nearly sent me over the edge. It all seems so unfair.

I've hated picking up dd from pre school this week- every other parent got their 1st/2nd choice for the best schools in the area.

Spoke to 2 tonight and faked happiness for them, popped into tesco on the way home and spoke to a 3rd mum...also with my 1st choice school. Am gutted that it just couldn't have been us. Oh well, 2 mile car journey to school and child minders fees (crap wtap around care provision) for an inadequate school it is for me! Grrrrrr.

thanks doctrine unlikly to 4th choice allocated school as its just logistic nightmare do 2 schools miles apart by foot with toddler in tow wouldent have minded 3rd choice as thats 5 ,mins from new house and en route to dd1, s school..

Atmpshere at preschool been rubbish they wanted know if everyone had 1st choice, where they bee allocated ad if we appealing.

our best bet is see the school that closest to dd1s school different la as last week had 21 spaces but been lot interest apply and defer until jan as shes 5 sept but can legally defer until term after 5th birthday ie jan then decide whet we going to do then.

am not huge issue as if they both did breckfast club hubby could drop them off in car as on his way work but would cost me.

Its pickup thats problem as many schools don't offer clubs for r as they might be too tired and both schools finish at 3.30 .

been trying work out shortest walking route.

I need speak to mum in daughters class who did it last year finally getting her 3rd child in in year 1.

eldest sometimes has some clubs which run 4.15-4.30 which be ideal but they dont run every day, every week 1st last week back and not sure they be happy her sitting at the late table. They currently dont offer after school care but they will from sept but cost £8 per day 3.30-6 which I dont need as can get her by 4.

Made links with few childminders but resent added cost to juggle school I never wanted in first place and others to get their choices all seems so unfair.

I don't blame the woman who,s been renting flat by school she had money to do that and rent her house out for 6 months and she will move back.

she said another person she knew has left village so one space may open up.
but i doubt we be tp of list as least one sibling per nearer, dont know who other sibling is and other sibling looks like shes moving older brother 2nd choice which seems sad as means dd1 now have 2-3people leaving her class next year.

Its the lack empathy really school dad yesterday well school you been given on up its not special measures anymore forgetting fact have 2 kids its not that i hate the school and he lives just outside catchment and got both of his kids in.

Seems everyone i know got least 1-3 preferences so everyone bit shocked.

school admin was like how are you so calm what you going to do.

least every day someone says oh dear what you going to do as soon as kids went back school was like oh god going have face people and put on am i bothered face.

I know come sept when see dd2s freinds in little uniform I may get upset or irrationaly angry when see school uniform advertised.

I did buy few grey pinafores and checked dressed which now put back wardrobe.

Home ed for term really does seem like best option for now and hope theres some movement.

I would be over moon with 2nd logistic expensive nightmare but would give younger 2 a school from 5-18. just have see if her name comes out raffle seems more hopeful that wait list by distance right now although am stupidly close to school 3 75 intake which dident get.

Green policy bit joke we live in city and mornings its full people crossing each other different directions, uniforms.

Theres basically 4 schools everyone wants, if they dont get those 4 they either go private or opt village school -long drive.

then anyone outside are trying avoid their shitty schools applies for the just ok schools no one applied for . Ie my allocated school lost people be happy with as its better than sink school on their doorstep so means ost people travel to school in order to avoid the sink or lesser schools.

The local senior schools like that no one local wants g there they all bus out so its mostly full of kids from other areas yet schools in very affluent area.

I saw one sink primary lovely grounds, building bit tired but no one wants to take the risk so has 40 spaces this year 60intake.

This is a problem that is getting worse year by year. The Government has been trying to reduce surplus school places since at least 1996. It's a reasonable aim, but the problem is that they're also claiming to be increasing choice at the same time, which simply isn't possible - decreasing surpluses result in increased competition, not increased choice.

The reductions in surpluses are being audited closely, and current national targets for surplus school places are a in the 5% - 10% range (see Q62 here).

However, the social consequences of the policy aren't being audited as far as I know, so it is worth writing to your Local Authority and MP if you are dissatisfied.

A few days ago there was a news item about how private schools in London are booming, despite the recession. I think they are simply thriving on the back of the increased competition for state places.

You might want to ask your Local Authority what their target surplus is. Where I live it is literally 0%, because its an affluent borough which relies on people who don't get a place, or who get a low-choice place, going private instead. That means that many dozens of families have an anxious wait for a place every year, and it is strategically planned rather than accidental.