So we're on the waiting list for YR place- will all those appealing come before me? Hampshire

[januaryblue]

We've moved to Hampshire a couple of weeks ago and DD is on the list for a YR place at our catchment school. I am struggling to get this question answered though!- Do I now have to wait for those appealing to be heard first before they even consider DD's position or could they allocate her a place tomorrow, say, if a place came up? I know that several people are appealing because they have older siblings at the school and have not been given a place for the younger sibling for Year R. I KNOW that Hampshire policy is that I should be given a place over them but how do I ensure this actually happens?

At my DCs school it would depend on whether the "appealing" parents applied before the cutoff date for applications. If you moved after applications closed its possible that they might hear appeals first. Hope for you that they consider yours and appeal cases together as it sounds as though your DD would get in.

Sorry should add that afaik, the appealing parents live out of catchment otherwise obviously they'd come before DD

Seems weird and very unfair if siblings don't get priority - how are parents supposed to get children to different schools at the same time

Siblings DO have priority over us if they are IN catchment. However, I know of 3 parents in our case who live out of catchment and haven't won the gamble this time. IMO if you choose to send your 1st child out of catchment, you have to accept there is no guarantee of getting younger siblings in.

There might be other children with a stronger claim than siblings: children in care, children with statements, children with medical needs, children with special social reasons

Surely the school/LEA should be able to give you a straight answer as to whether the children already in the appeal system will have their appeals heard before or with your DD's case?

It makes no difference, januaryblue. Appeals are only successful if the criteria set wasn't applied properly.

Therefore, if there are any places left, the children who fall into the highest category (and then the closest child within that) get offered the available places.

They can appeal, but the school/lea can't admit a child into a school because they feel like it.

Be aware though that you say 'catchment school' and 'will be moving there in 2 weeks'. Will they not assess you on where you live now?

Q:'Seems weird and very unfair if siblings don't get priority - how are parents supposed to get children to different schools at the same time'... Admissions don't care about your inconvenience- and nor should they. Where I live houses 'in' command quite a 'premium'- as a result parents rent or buy in, get DC1 in, then move out to a bigger and better property out, and assume DS2 will follow but- not necessarily so!

Q:'There might be other children with a stronger claim than siblings: children in care, children with statements, children with medical needs, children with special social reasons'... yes but they form a small minority!

My advice would be phone admissions in the LEA! They are hugely helpful and will tell it to you straight.

sorry, misread you- you are actually IN the area now, and that's important. Make sure you have all the necessary 'supporting documentation' like getting on the electoral role asap as Hants are big on this. Where are you?

Right I will phone LEA and school tomorrow to find out what the position is. However I did this last week and they played a nice game of passing the buck to the other one . I get the impression from the school that they'd like to give any places that come up to the poor families who will have to do 2 school runs otherwise. Maybe I'm paranoid!! Just want to make sure they follow the county rules!!