Didn’t get into first choice for primary

[GoBrookeYourself]

Hi,

I was just after a bit of advice if anyone could help. The area we are in doesn’t have many good schools and we were really hoping to get into our first choice. However, we haven’t and aren’t overly happy with the other choices.

We have put ourselves down on the waiting list and appealed, but I have spoken to the secretary and she couldn’t give me a reason as to why DS didn’t get in. I presume it was because we were out of the catchment area (2.6 miles away). However, our circumstances have changed and it will no longer be us taking him to school, we will be dropping him off with family who live 1.5 miles away from the school as DH and I both have to leave v early for work and they will be taking DS to and from school. We’ve put this in the appeal, along with wanting him to go to a faith school and the one he has been offered isn’t (we filled out a faith form during the application).

The secretary said they have offered 17 places this year, so well under the maximum of 30. I suppose my question is, what can I do, if anything, to maximise our chances of getting in? Or is it just something we need to let go of?

Sorry for the long post, very stressed out!

@DingDongThongs

they don't have to allocate to PAN. PAN is the maximum.

If there are people wanting the places, they do. A school cannot just decide it does not want to fill to PAN if there are applicants for the spaces.

And that's not what has happened here anyway.

Did you visit the school first? How big are the classes? My DCs school usually have a maximum of 15/class as it’s a small school. This year they have offered more than 15 places as last years intake was only 9 so they have more than enough room in reception/yr1. They have mixed year groups so will have approx 30 to a class.

I wondering the same, as OP would have been aware of the size of admissions etc. OP you may not be familiar with the process but you could look on your LA web site and see which other schools have places and see if any others seem better suited to you.
I do think you need to think about your child's needs too. A local school where friends are on door step is a massive benefit for all manner of reasons. A school that suits your working hours and childcare may not be great for him in a couple of years tbh