School Transfer Woes

[Amy205]

Hi, I'm looking for a bit of guidance really. Our son started a new school because of a relocation last october and is in year 4. He has been subject to months of bullying and has asked us to change his school, a decision we support because we've seen our son lose confidence and can only see benefits of removing him from a toxic situation. The school have been unsuccessful at resolving the issues. He has never has trouble at all with being bullied (until the new school) and makes friends easily.

The head teacher of the school hasn't taken it well and has been very obstructive with her part of the transfer process and delaying sending forms back amongst other things.

Can anyone advise on our rights with regards to transferring him? Surely this process shouldn't be as stressful as the head is making it!.

Thats what we were thinking. She's in year 2....

No idea about the sibling priority! School is in catchment though so hopefully that will also help!

So in Sept she will be in y3 and ICS rules won't be relevant.
You will have had had 7 weeks in the new school to find all the reasons why it would also be so much better for your DD.

A sibling in catchment would usually be high up the waiting list.
Some schools take an couple extra in juniors anyway.

So:

• apply once DS has started.
• find out where you are on the waiting list
• gather info on why this school would be good for your DD
• if no space occurs and you are happy with it for DS, then appeal for DD, you've nothing to lose.

Oh good news OP, hope he settles in well. Get your daughter on the waiting ASAP., there may be some movement over the summer holidays and if you have in catchment and sibling priority you could be lucky. If not put in an appeal in September.

Brilliant news -I'd get the sister on the waiting list in case there's movement (even in our very stable school there's been a good 2-3 kids move away in the last year freeing up spaces)

Good news OP. I hope it goes well and your DS has a great start at his new school - and his sister can join him there soon.

For the admissions experts, I was looking into in-year admissions for a friend. Found this on the LEA website:

"If your child is already at school but you feel a move would be beneficial, you must discuss the reasons with your child's current school and try to resolve matters with them rather than seek a transfer.

We discourage unnecessary transfers. If you do want to pursue this route, you will need to make an in year application for a new school, provide your reasons for wanting a transfer and list what you have done to try and resolve the issues with the current school. You must ask the headteacher at your child's school to complete a section of the application form; we will not process the form without this.

(my bold)

This seems counter to the advice given on this thread, that though the head may be obstructive and not fill in the form, the LEA must still process the application. Whereas here it states quite clearly on the LEA webpage that they won't process it.

So if my friend were to make an in-year application without the head's support (which is likely - their issue is with how the head leads the school) should they accompany their application with a letter saying that they are aware that the LEA states on its webpage that they won't process the application without the HT's form, however they believe this is unlawful and will "refer the matter to the LGO on the basis that their requirement to get agreement from their child's current school is in breach of the Admissions Code".

So, right from the off. Rather than sending application in, waiting for LEA to reply that they won't process it (as per info on webpage), and then bringing up the LGO.

What do you think?