Unfairly denied a place. Does it matter now?

[hibbledibble]

I didn't get a place at our local primary, which was our first choice, for reception entry. I put my child in the waiting list.

I later had an email saying the waiting list was being cleared, and to reapply if I still wanted to do be on it. I replied saying not to take me off the waiting list, and that the link supplied to reapply for the waiting list did not work. I clearly stated that I did not consent to being removed from the waiting list.

I complained to the ombudsman at the time, who upheld my complaint, but said that no further action would be taken as the local authority had promised not to do this again.

I have later found out that shortly after I was removed from the waiting list, without my consent, another child was offered a place. This was base don distance, and they lived further away. Therefore my child should have been offered this place.

Years on, my child finally got a place at the school, but I am now wondering whether it is worth highlighting that we were unfairly denied a place.

Not sure what could be gained from this? Clearly if I had known this previously, I would have had grounds for appeal.

If it's years on, what would be the point? You have nothing to gain, the LEA has probably changed their procedures many times already. It would be hard to prove and a waste of time and money.

Really doesn’t seem like an efficient use of public funds.

I don't understand, how many years on is this? Your child has a place? What do you serve to gain by telling them they were originally denied?

How long ago was this?

honestly its all water under the bridge, what do you gain by harping on, leave it and move forwards I say

Policies have not changed, despite the order of the ombudsman. That is the point.

My child was also unfairly denied a place due to a breach of the admissions code.

It was 2 years ago, but I have only found out recently.

I don't appreciate the rude comments here.

It's extremely easy to prove as I have the email trail (as I said in the op).

Not sure what could be gained from this?. Nothing . Put it out of your head.
It sounds like a pile of nonsense anyway. If you knew the link didn’t work, you knew they hadn’t received your request to stay on the list, yet you didn’t attempt to contact them directly.

What rude comments?

I don't appreciate the rude comments here.

What? Where?

Did you ring to say the link wasn't working?

Comments re harping on, and deliberately misinterpreting my comments.

Head in the clouds that is absolutely not the case. You either haven't properly read the op or have deliberately misinterpreted it.

I'll spell it out again. They emailed to say they were taking me off the list, with a link to apply to be added back on to it (to a webform presumably, but this was an incorrect link). I replied to say this to them. They acknowledged this reply, and said they would post me a paper form.

So yes, they did receive my reply, and I have proof of that.

name change I emailed back to say the link wasn't working. I have proof of this.

Ok. You seem very angry indeed

What outcome would you be seeking, since you already have a place.

What do you need proof for? You keep posting about it. What are you trying to achieve. The link didn't work. There was a mix up, some other kid might also have been taken off the list. Or their parents called to make sure there were on it. You have your place, what is it you wish to achieve here?

You know that that wasn't in your original post though and you are the only person coming across as rude?

Ordinarily I would say this is ancient history, so just let it go. It's clearly bothering you a lot though so I'm not sure that is really an option.

I might be going against the grain here, but I would contact the council over this. What it WILL (or may) achieve is that they will be made aware of their mistake and will hopefully update their process and put controls in place to prevent this from happening again. So not any personal benefit for the OP but perhaps a benefit for the local community.

Outcome: to change policy of arbitrarily removing children from the waiting list annually, which contravenes the admissions code. Any other thoughts welcome.

I'm not angry, just frustrated at people being rude and making incorrect assumptions.

If there is no point, then happy to hear that, just no need to be rude.

After 2 years I wouldn't bother complaining too much but make out a letter thanking for the placement but that they need to better their system as you have been made aware of these actions done by them that has wrongfully lead to you having to move your child 2 years later which should never have happened.

I mention proof, as a reply said it would be difficult to prove, it's not, as I have the email trail.

I'm asking for advice here, not people making incorrect assumptions and going on the offensive.

Perhaps an admissions expert will come along along soon with some knowledge of the system.

Thank you whirlwinds that's a good suggestion.

I have incurred a lot of out of pocket expenses due to this two year delay as well (due to the distance of the other school, and cost of the journey). This is in the four figure domain. I'm not seeking financial compensation, but it is worth mentioning. My child also had a serious accident requiring surgery on the school journey, so this obviously effects how I feel about this.

Any other thoughts welcome. I think not; after your reaction to these ones!!

head no. It's just the rude replies I don't appreciate, and deliberately misconstruing my op.

Personally I wouldn't bother expending the mental energy to pursue this.

What code clause are you referring to? A school is obliged to maintain a waiting list until a set date (31st December?), but once that has closed they can expect you to apply again.

How did the other child get on the list, did they use the paper form or did the online form work for them?