Still no reception place

[pickle346]

My 4 year old daughter (5 in November) still doesn't have a reception place - we applied for 6 schools and got refused for all of them, but not offered any alternative anywhere.

My son who has medical needs is at our nearest school and daughter is on waiting list for this.

Does anybody know whether the council have a duty to offer her a place now or does the duty not kick in until after her 5th birthday or in January? I have been to the council today and the woman smiled and said she didn't know! I sent her to ask her colleagues and they didn't know either!!

Have got some appeal forms, but not sure that will get us anywhere!

Any advice appreciated, thank you!

Now, not then. You have a right to keep her off until the term after her 5th birthday, but they have an obligation to find her a place NOW if you so wish.

Thank you, thought that must be the case, definitely want a place now!

Appeal for all the schools. Your case is that the council is in breach of its duty to find a place for your daughter and therefore their refusal to admit you to the appeal school is unreasonable. With 6 to go for there is a good chance that at least one appeal panel will agree. In the meantime keep up the pressure on the council. Remind them that they should have come up with a place for your daughter by the start of term.