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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Is it okay for a school to tell you you cannot view it untill after your child has been accepted?

88 replies

PippiCalzelunghe · 28/01/2009 19:44

if not what would you do? write, talk to them or nothing?

and would you send your child there based on other people's opinion/experience? (I think I've answered that already tbh.)

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LynetteScavo · 28/01/2009 19:45

er, no and no.

memoo · 28/01/2009 19:46

NO!!!! That is shocking, have never heard anything like it before. It would worry me a lot

LynetteScavo · 28/01/2009 19:46

What would I do? Send my child to another school.

Sparkletastic · 28/01/2009 19:46

No not okay at all.

nowwearefour · 28/01/2009 19:46

have never heard of anything like that before in my life. how very odd. how people would even apply without having seen a school is rather beyond me.

LadyMuck · 28/01/2009 19:48

Are they hugely and massively oversubscribed? If so, and they know that they can always fill their places, then I can see why they woud prefer to avoid the hassle of showing people around, especially if say over half those people won't have a chance of getting a place.

But at the same time it would ring a large warning bell as to how they would treat parents, and I would run a mile. Unless all other options were absolutely dire.

Wonderstuff · 28/01/2009 19:51

I agree with LadyMuck, only if the alternative is dire.

Lemontart · 28/01/2009 19:51

no. is this a private school?

Hulababy · 28/01/2009 19:54

No, not for state or private.

I would not send my child there if I possibly could. I chose DD's school on the gt instinct from visiting her school and the alternatives.

Original poster

PippiCalzelunghe · 28/01/2009 19:57

School is oversubscribed as only 30 intake but so is the other one I've seen (which I loved). Yes to everything you said ladymuck. I did apply because school is literally across the road, has good ofsted and parents are very happy (like the other one only a few min away - like 4 really) and because when I called them in october and they said I was too late to view they suggest I apply and view after hol and then change appl. now I call today and no way they've got time before april.

I feel the same. I was furious first time but now I am fuming!! I don't want to choose a school no matter how good without viewing it and feel the choice has been made. also do not want to eliminate it before seen it in case I do like and only secretary is crap iyswim. (I have a feel is not just the secretary though).

Not being brought up in this country leaves me baffled and unsure of the right moves...

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Original poster

PippiCalzelunghe · 28/01/2009 19:58

sorry both state school so close chances of getting in both are high.

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wheresthehamster · 28/01/2009 20:01

Viewing takes about 15 mins. Our headteacher seems to show people around about 3 or 4 times a week. No biggie. And we are also oversubscribed.

Original poster

PippiCalzelunghe · 28/01/2009 20:04

that's what I thought but not having been ever a headteacher I didn't want to assume ...

(sorry for semi-incomprehensive last entry - head was somewhere else...)

OP posts:

LadyMuck · 28/01/2009 20:18

Well if you can't get through to the head directly then I would ohone the LEA and explain what has happened and ask for their guidance, as you reallly shouldn't have to choose a school without having seen it.

MollieO · 28/01/2009 20:25

Why didn't you view it last term? I assume if you are new to the area then I'd explain that to the school and see what they say. When is your cut off date for applications? Our local state schools get booked up a long way in advance for their open mornings and tend to have them in the autumn term so I'm not hugely surprised by their reaction.

Original poster

PippiCalzelunghe · 28/01/2009 20:31

mollieo I did try to view it last term. I called in october and as I was away the only nov available date they told me to call early nov to book for smtime before xmas. then I call on the 8th of nov and was told 'I left it too late'! That's why I'm asking - is it standard procedure? (none of the other schools do that.)

lady muck I will speak to head tomorrow. that cannot jeopardise the chances of getting the place can it? (if I still want it that is)

OP posts:

LadyMuck · 28/01/2009 20:41

Speaking to the head or the LEA cannot jeopardise your chances. Your application gets judged purely on whether you meet the admission criteria or not (and where you come in terms of priority).

lalalonglegs · 28/01/2009 20:45

Write to the head and cc to the head governor - that is outrageous behaviour but in my experience, many school secretaries are rather over-zealous gatekeepers. I hope the head will be equally appalled by her staff's conduct.

Original poster

PippiCalzelunghe · 28/01/2009 20:46

perfect. will do that tomorrow (although somehow I think it'll have to be exceptional to make me shake off this feeling that is not the right place for my dd. sheame as I can see it inside the classrooms from where I stand now). thanks a million.

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lalalonglegs · 28/01/2009 20:50

Very that you have a choice of good schools.

Penthesileia · 28/01/2009 21:27

No, not ok - and I'd do what lalalonglegs says... Crossed wires, maybe?

Good luck!

myredcardigan · 28/01/2009 21:32

I've never heard such tosh! Outrageous!

Ring the LEA and the HT. Say it's your closest school and you would like to view during a school day. If they refuse ask to see their policy. Ask the LEA what their policy is too.

In fact, I would just walk across the road and ask to make an appointment.

I've been teaching a long time and I've never heard such rubbish. It's a state school in your local authority. You are paying for its upkeep!

hothell · 28/01/2009 21:42

Fucking rude in MHO! I would also get big warning bells about the school! We chose ours because wehn we viewed it, it was friendly, warm and cuddly, for me 3 paramount qualities for a primary school, and this school does not sound it, in fact it sounds very much up its own arse and may give you a clue to how it treats the kids in terms of pushiness, etc. Having said that proximity is also paramount i think when chosing a school, and if it is on your doorstep then you do need to investigate further.

TotalChaos · 28/01/2009 21:45

That's raelly not normal. One oversubscribed local state school does open evenings instead of viewings (but it probably does have extenuating circumstances from a security point of view).

zazen · 28/01/2009 21:50

We've just applied for a school place round the corner, and we will only be invited to view if and when we are offered a place and paid a deposit (third of the year's fees).

It's massively oversubscribed, and one of the best schools in the country. (Not UK)
I guess they call the shots.

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