Hi all,
My son has not got into any of his 6 primary schools I had put down on the form. I am now planning to appeal to his 2nd choice school, as I think there are discrepancies in it's admission policy.
This school is a Catholic school (Academy), has a nursery (part time)intake of 52. In reception it offers 60 places. But in the over-subscription criteria, priority is given to children in nursery. Therefore all the children in Nursery have got into Reception.
- We were offered a place in part time morning Nursery which we initially accepted, but my circumstances then changed (work) and I then had to decline the place. at the timeas they could not offer be an afternoon session., I thought there was a law that children in Nursery could not get priority into reception. ( as stated in the OLD School admission code)
However, I have had a look at the NEW School admissions code December 2014 - Just wanted to clarify I have understood it correctly - has THIS CHANGED? - is it that only children who are eligible for Early pupil premium, pupil or service premium and attend the nursery run by the school can be given priority for admission to Reception. Other children cannot get priority?
As in this particular school the whole nursery intake has got a place into reception ( i donot believe the whole class could qualify for pupil premium!!) and therefore people like myself who meet the criteria - have lost out. it also advantages parents who are willing to travel a distance to get into Nursery over those who are applying directly to reception.
- During the application process, the school also invited parents along with the child on a one to one basis for a discussion - the letter at the time mentioned ' the purpose of this was to discuss the admission process and our options in regard to primary education'. Was it legitimate for the school to request this? I did attend it,
They checked a few details on the application for,. Then they asked in which nursery the child was - and it happened to be at another Catholic school - but i explained to them that as the other nursery was able to offer be an afternnon session, i accepted it.But now thinking back wonder if this SO CALLED DISCUSSION IS LEGITIMATE? and the fact that me being at another nursery jeopardised my application
Please let me know your thoughts. Any help would be appreciated.