Left primary school in year 3 , reapplied for year 6 place in sept, denied place - help😨 appeal?

[freakazoidroid]

My daughter was in her first school from reception until until the end of year 3 , we moved away to Devon . We are now moving back to the area where my daughter was at school and applied for place and she has been refused .she is currently year 5
When we moved to Devon my daughter really suffered emotionally and academically. The first school she started at - she just could not settle - she changed from a happy confident girl - to a shell . Her studies suffered . We went into the school various times to discuss this and also she went to a one on one with a thrive teacher. She was also bullied and rejected. We moved her to another school - she is really trying to fit in - but she is still very unhappy and feels like she doesn’t belong there ( she is now in year 5). I have now contacted CAHMS for help- waiting to hear back.
So since leaving her first school, she has been to two different schools in to years.
I believe this has really affected her emotionally and academically.
I was hoping when we move back this summer she would start year 6 at her old school with her old friends we still visit and are in touch with . With the security of familiar school, teachers and what to expect.
Unfortunately this is not happening. She will have to go to a 3rd school on 3 years . This will take its toll on her and really affect her .
I have read that this could affect her whole academic life and confidence etc.
The school has said I can apply again in July . They took 2 applicants in her year in this round of applicants - one with siblings , the other was closer than us.
Should I write a letter to the school saying what I have said above in more detail for the next Governors admissions meeting .
If she doesn’t get in then I will appeal - am I likely to win on this reason?

How many children are in y6? I'd find out how many children were in y6 in day the last 5 years. If there is 30 kids (including the 2 new starters) but they have had as many as 33 then your argument is stronger than if there's 33 kids but there's never been more than 31.

Can you home educate this year to build up her confidence and work on academics?

Sorry to hear of your DD’s difficulties. I don’t think there is much point writing to the governors as I don’t think they would be able to by-pass the admissions policy.

Was she not offered a place due to the class being full?

Sorry but in my experience emotional or personal difficulties do not by pass an admissions policy, it would not come in to play. Everyone has their reasons for wanting to get in to a school but policy is policy.

Am sorry your Dd has had a difficult few years. I can see why you would want to return to the feeling of security of her first primary school. But even if you did attain a place it is possible that the school might not be everything you are hoping of it - friendships evolve, ethos of a school changes, new staff etc. I'm not sure to what extent your daughter has her hopes pinned on this school and I think you may need to caution her expectations either way.

The other aspect to consider is secondary school is looming (assuming you move up at year 7) does your preferred school offer any advantages or disadvantages compared to allocated school with regard to secondary admissions? Also with secondary looming then is there a chance that she gets place in preferred school but her friends there end up at different secondary (or indeed she attends new allocated year 6 school but ends up in year 7 secondary with friends from original school - if that makes sense!)

Regarding original school- where are you on the waiting list! For appeals, information from professionals stating in their opinion (not yours) the original school is more appropriate- would they be able to do this given the time you've been away? Other angles would be does the preferred school offer academic or other opportunities that better suit your Dd than the allocated school - so for example preferred school has mandarin lessons and your daughter has shown aptitude for mandarin (extreme example!)

You don't get any priority by having attended the school in the past, and the governors won't be able to change anything.

I'm going to echo the warning that things will have changed, the form will have moved on in friendships etc.
When I was at school a girl left in year 3 and came back about this time in year 5 (first day of school exams, that must have been a fun introduction for her!)

The form had changed very little. We'd had one girl arrived since then and I think that was it.
However friendships had changed, and, talking to her when we met again in our late teens she said it was actually harder coming back into her old form than going to a new school. She thought she'd come back in and be best friends with her old best friend, and it would be like she'd never moved away.
It wasn't. Her old best friend had a new best friend, and was happy to look after her, but she said it was very clear quickly that she'd be the third wheel. The other girls she had been friendly with, again were friendly, but were very much paired off, happy to chat, but when partners were needed they turned to original friends.
She said it took her half a term to readjust her expectations and realise that she had to look elsewhere, and ended up very friendly with a totally different group.
She was very confident socially which helped her.

You might like to join this facebook group for ideas and support. www.facebook.com/groups/NFISFamilySupport/

I’m not an expert, but confused at the school saying you can apply again in July - you an apply for a school at any point. If they have a space, you are given it. If they don’t, you are added to the waiting list, which should be kept in accordance with the admissions criteria.

If you have been declined a place because they are full, you will need to appeal and show that the prejudice to your DD in being denied a place is worse than the school having to take on an extra pupil.

Assuming that this is a state school.

I am sorry to hear what happened to your dd, but I really think you should be positive about new school for your dd's sake.
I have moved school as a child, and I have to admit, it was a challenge.
But going back to school she attended before doesn't guarantee the safe/happy return. 3 years is a long time.
She needs to be positive about new school, and you really need to encourage her.

Would you not have to apply after you’ve moved anyhow?

I sympathise OP.
An appeal is definitely worth a try.
I was in a similar situation with my child and I successfully won an appeal.
You have to prove that your daughter's mental health and education will really suffer if she does not go back to her old school. Do you have any letters from CAMHs or a GP that can back this up? That would help. I read this book and found it useful:
www.amazon.co.uk/How-Win-Your-School-Appeal/dp/1408111403?tag=mumsnetforum-21
Good luck

Thanks everyone for your replies

The school says it’s ok to apply with proof of address

It’s only 2 years she has been gone . She is still in touch with all of her friends at school . So I don’t think it would be much of a change