Not allocated a primary school place

[Lynzi]

Dear all,

Hoping that I can't get some advice on what to do. My daughter was due to start reception in September but I got a new job in May and we are now moving to counties to Caversham, Reading. As soon as I got the job I rang Reading Schools Admissions to be told the awful news that they have unprecedented numbers and it will be virtually impossible to get a school place. I have just rang for an update as today is the deadline to allocate a school place. They are still saying they have no places anyway so cannot allocate a place for her. I am devastated that the only way I can have any input in my daughters education is to pay to go private or home school (tricky due to my new job). They said they have upto January 2015 to legally allocate her a place - it seems a long time to wait and she is a September birthday so more than ready to be starting school now. Any ideas as. Reading school admissions have said it is just a waiting game.
Thanks if you have reached the bottom of my blurb and in anticipation of your responses.
Lynzi

If you're going to Caversham, have you looked over the border into Oxfordshire? In other words, go north out of Caversham rather than looking at Reading schools. Where is your job? Depending on where, and also which bit of Caversham you're moving to, it might be worth looking at Wokingham schools too - I'm thinking Sonning/Charvil/Twyford/Crazies Hill.

My friend lives in Wokingham and I feel sure she had a decent choice of primary schools

What about Kidmore End?

Most, if not all, of the schools on the Reading side of Wokingham are full for September. The Charvil Primary (Robert Piggott) school didn't even have enough places for in-catchment siblings.
www.wokingham.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=272972&type=full&servicetype=Attachment

Isnt there a thing called "Fair access protocol" that kicks in if there are no places left in any reception classes? Can anyone advise?

The LA will indeed have a Fair Access Protocol. That can be used to come up with a place even if all schools are full.

As Tiggytape says, the LA do not have until January to allocate a place. Under the Admissions Code they must come up with a place in September. If they continue to insist that they don't have to do so tell them you will refer the matter to the LGO. You should also appeal for the schools you want. That should encourage the LA to come up with a place before the hearing - not necessarily at the appeal school, of course, but at least it would be a place.

Have you actually applied yet? If not do so, even from your present address, and make sure you are on the waiting list of schools you want to be considered for. Then when you move inform them of your new address. Do also look over borders, more rural schools often do have more places.

Listen to prh47bridge and Tiggytape!

How odd.

If you look at the PDF "How places have been offered" here

0www.reading.gov.uk/residents/EducationandLearning/Schools/Admissions/admissions-primary-infant-schools-2012-2013/

You'll see for 2014 that there were a handful of schools that under-offered from PAN, and many that have zero on their waiting lists, so finding a place really shouldn't be that hard. Call the council with the list in front of you, enquire about the schools that have space, and get on waiting lists for all those you would be interested in. I can't see from this list how you will possibly be without a place in Sept (it may not be a school of your choice of course).

A new free school is opening this yr in Caversham, it's called The Heights, but sure if its full, but it's worth asking about. They have a Facebook page. I have friends who have had issues with primary places in Caversham, they both went private and are happy. Otherwise Sonning Common is supposed to be good in Oxfordshire

They Have to give your daughter a place. It's their legal duty. It might not be at the school that you want, but they have to offer.

Oh my goodness, I didn't expect such a positive response from you all. Thank you so much. We will be living at Queen Anne's so The Hill is the catchment area school. We are on the waiting list for The Hill, EP Collier, The Heights and Caversham Park. I am feeling far more confident and will be ringing Reading Schools Admissions tomorrow to discuss further but also to appeal. Thanks once again and if you think of anything else please let me know. x