Help me find a way around this tricky situation!

[SunsetOnTheHorizon]

Long time lurker here. I'm only posting as I am desperate for some ideas on how to get around my tricky situation.

We recently moved home to a nicer area with good schools. Currently DC are attending the school in where our previous house was located, which is about 20 minutes drive away now.

Dc2 has secured a place for sept 2018. Dc1 has not but has been put on the waiting list.

Here comes the dilemma... End of the school day is the same for both schools. I don't want to be relying on after school clubs as they both have a language class to get to at 4.30.

What can I suggest to the school to help?

I have spoken to the Head of the current school and she is adamant that i cannot collect dc1 earlier than hometime.

Yes, I think I am out of the loop Georgie it just seems so shit though that the OP has to be in two places at once. I did live briefly back in the U.K. 8 years ago and there were a lot of people fudging applications to get into their preferred schools.

Candyflip and panelchair thanks so much for that advice. Very much appreciated. A lot of other good ideas bouncing about too. The taxi service sounds really good also. I haven't said in one single post I wanted anything for free. ASC for me is not a problem but I have been told it is up until 4.30pm and I want them home as soon as I can get them.

Mornings aren't a problem as Dh is around.

A childminder in the local area is a possibility also.

Language classes are a at least 4 days a week. A lot of parents do send their dcs to clubs after school not much different.

Although the appeal process will require more brainstorming on my behalf.

Btw For those who know me in rl I am not a CF in fact the opposite. The way the wording was put across may seem like I am. Anyway... don't want to get caught up in the negative remarks.

Thanks to those that are helping.

Most LEAs these days demand evidence of address and residence, to prevent that sort of “fudging”.

Anyway, OP can appeal but the general inconvenience of having two children in two schools isn’t guaranteed to be enough to win. Until such time as both children are at the same school, she’s going to need to employ a childminder or use the ASC; schools generally don’t agree to early or late pick-ups in these circumstances.

You can collect from ASC anytime. Just has to be before 4:30 when I presume it finishes. You aren't obliged to stay till the end.

I wouldn't bother appealing OP, you don't have a strong enough case.
A place will come up soon enough in the new school. If it were me, I would either stop the language class until the second place came up, or turn up slightly late..they're going to learn nothing at 6pm in the evening and then just be knackered all the next days for school.

Underneaththeash. Best tip given so far. Language class can begin at 4.45pm just to give us that extra time to get there. They should be ok with this setup.

The Head has said another parent is currently in the same sito as I am and she has her child waiting in the office area for her. It seems doable. But I'd rather they be keeping busy at the ASC rather than sitting around waiting.

Perhaps a combination of these ideas will help us adjust to our new routine.

Thanks again

You’ve got loads of choices!

After school club for whichever is closest to language class.

Different language class at 6pm.

Keep kids in same school.

What you shouldn’t do is be an annoying parent to school because you’ve arranged an extra-curricular activity.

Language classes four days a week are well over the top. When do your poor children have time to do homework, wind down, have a life?

I wouldn't bother about appealing either, to be honest. You have to prove that prejudice to your child outweighs prejudice to the school in admitting another child. Given that the prejudice is self-induced and could be avoided by putting the language classes on ice, I can't see any appeal panel buying it.

OP - I’ve just seen your latest post. I wonder whether your reluctance to use an ASC is because you misunderstand how they work. You’re not obliged to keep your child there to the end of the session and can collect them whenever you want. It might well work out cheaper than a childminder.

Bibesia - Having a school place in the area where you live is a reasonable expectation and that would be true even without the language classes. It’s worth appealing although (as I said) the issues around two children in two schools might not be enough unless OP can pinpoint other reasons why the child needs to be at this school.

Is there a reason that they need language classes 4 times a week. When do they get time to attend clubs and have a bit for fun? Sounds pretty miserable to me.

I wouldn't bother appealing OP, you don't have a strong enough case.

For KS2 and above it is always worth looking at how you can build a case. Just having a sibling and wanting to get to after school clubs probably isn't enough but if one dc were more anxious it might be considered if they need to be in the same school. If a school offered language clubs and your dc is good at languages then that might help. Some schools have larger classrooms and don't mind having 32 or 33 per class but wouldn't want to tell existing parents that and formally increase the class size. If they can teach 31 children in the class then that is more money for the school. There are lots of factors which we can only speculate on. It is hassle because you have to prepare a case, but as one of many possible strategies available to the OP it is worth considering. She won't lose anything (other than sleep, wrinkle cream, cost of hair dye to cover grey hairs etc. ).

Having a school place in the area where you live is a reasonable expectation and that would be true even without the language classes

But OP hasn't suggested that her child can't get a school place in the area that she lives in. She simply can't get a place in one particular school.

Language classes are full of fun filled activities, a games session and they have made new friends there from the local area.

It isn't some hard-core place where it is regimented. There is a fun element. They wind down for at least two hours before bed. Homework is not the schools policy. They get homework termly.

Let's not di-sect every aspect of my life thank u very much

I really want to look into building a case for my dc1 and trying to push for a place for him. They can only refuse. No harm in trying

Will defo be stocking up on wrinkle cream haha.

If ASC are flexible like that then seems worth while sending her there and collect her as soon as I can.

Dump the language class. One child in ASC for 30 minutes while you get the other one. Sorted.

Fun or not there needs be time to do other things too - four days a week at a language school seems an awful lot. I’m assuming that you are speaking the language at home - wouldn’t that be enough with once or twice a week at the school.

Advice for the school collecting situation I have would be much appreciated.

OP - you haven't answered the question as to whether you've explored any other schools closer to home? Is the 20 minutes drive away school really your 2nd closest school?

OP please stop policing people's replies. You asked for help, some has been given, but we're actual real people. We don't only jump through hoops at your command.

There’s no point in appealing. School is not obliged to provide childcare. You have chosen to send your children to two different schools and so need to arrange pick ups on time or use after school clubs, a Childminder or a nursery that does local school pick ups. A school won’t look after your child for 20 minutes, why should they? If everyone did it then they’d really be in trouble.

I am a teacher and in the same position as yourself. I’m using after school clubs and making the best of it as I’ve chosen to move one child to a new school near where our new house is.

Redsky... perhaps you haven't read the post properly. The school that is 20minutes away is where we lived 7months ago. I have the option of moving him to a closer school... but that way I will have three schools and three picks ups. I have reception aged child too just to add things into the mix.

Ladyvimes... it is something I will be utilizing for sure. The ASC that is.

OP, the children may get homework termly at their current school - do you know whether there is the same policy at the new school?

So there are three children in the picture? Say some more about their ages/which school year they’re in and at which school, and anything which means that the appeal school is especially suitable for your oldest (if I’ve got this right) child and we’ll see how that translates into an appeal. Don’t be deterred by the pessimists telling you not to appeal. There’s no guarantee you’ll win but it’s worth a shot, especially if there are compelling arguments.