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Would you do this?

30 replies

LadyBlaBlah · 19/01/2010 10:50

DS in year 3
DS in reception

School is a split infant /junior with separate heads

Junior has always had a bad reputation and hey presto, DS1 has gone into Year 3 and within a month lost all motivation / hates school and quite frankly his work is now of a pretty poor standard (he has always been very good). We have been in and talked with the teachers, and quite frankly it was an astonishing response (that's another story, but the fact is, the school has no standards and is pretty much uninspiring)

So, there is a school round the corner which is one of the best in the country, and after calling them up it transpires they have a place in Year 3 (amazingly), so we have just been round it and the contrast between his current school and this other school is indescribable.

BUT, they do not have a Reception place. So it would mean 10 minutes breakfast club/afterschool club for one of them each week (the schools are only a mile apart). I am not too bothered about that..........but what about DS2..........once DS1 is in the school, we can petition for a sibling place, but it is not guaranteed. The infant school is good, but we then only have 2 years for someone to leave or for the petition to be accepted. And if he doesn't get a place......what then? (I suppose there are also other schools around if he doesn't get into the good school......?)

AIBU to take this place for DS1? DH went to shit schools and doesn't want the same for DSs, and we have an opportunity to get a place in one of the best schools in the country............but what about DS2??

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
sugartits · 19/01/2010 10:52

Take the place, in my experience there's always some movement so you'll get a place for ds2. It might be worthwhile putting ds2 on the list for a place now and be prepared to move him even while he's still in infants.

GooseyLoosey · 19/01/2010 10:52

Take it and put your other child on the waiting list.

smallandkind · 19/01/2010 10:55

Totally agree with sugar. take it. Grab it before someone else has the wit to do the same as you and doesn't hesitate.

Have you rung them yet? No? then Now now now. Go ring quickly

ArcticFox · 19/01/2010 10:55

Take it. You don't know what will happen in the future- you might move away, DS2 might turn out to be a child genius and go to Oxford age 8............ you know what I mean.

You can improve things for DS1 and improve the chances for DS2. It's a no brainer.

coppertop · 19/01/2010 10:56

I would take the place asap.

flashharriet · 19/01/2010 10:57

Agree agree agree, phone now now NOW!!

NoahAndTheWhale · 19/01/2010 10:57

I would definitely take it.

Hulababy · 19/01/2010 10:59

Take the place for DS1 immediately.

Get DS2 on the waiting list and chase every term, to see where you are on the list, etc.

LadyBlaBlah · 19/01/2010 11:00

Wow - I have to say I didn't expect you all to be so vehemently in agreement!

OP posts:
FiveGoMadInDorset · 19/01/2010 11:01

Take it.

LadyBlaBlah · 19/01/2010 11:04

Feel better already. We have to take it.

Going to phone them.

OP posts:
ChazsBarmyArmy · 19/01/2010 11:04

Have you done it yet!

compo · 19/01/2010 11:04

oh yes definitely take it
hope you are on the phone right now
and put youngest child on the waiting list asap

compo · 19/01/2010 11:05

just to add my ds is in year 0ne at the moment and 3 children have left already in his class since september so people do move around a lot

smallandkind · 19/01/2010 11:06

give her a chance - she's on the phone. She'll let us know when she has.

Let's hustle her again in 20 mins to check she really has done it...

NoahAndTheWhale · 19/01/2010 11:13
aristocat · 19/01/2010 11:15

agree - you have to take it

LadyBlaBlah · 19/01/2010 11:27

Phoned - but the HM in a meeting and is going to call back.

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islandofsodor · 19/01/2010 11:31

Agree you are doing the right thing taking the place. USe afterschool club or whatever for the moment. Chances are your other child will get in by the time juniors comes especially as the class size prejudice thing of 30 no longer applies from Year 3 onwards.

smallandkind · 19/01/2010 11:31

ok time's up!

what happened?

smallandkind · 19/01/2010 11:32

damn. keep us posted

BigTillyMint · 19/01/2010 11:32

Yes, take the place and put the younger one on the waiting list!

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 19/01/2010 11:33

take the place and move your younger one asap

LadyBlaBlah · 19/01/2010 11:44

Ooooh yes islandofsodor - what a marvellously inciteful point. I had totally forgotten about that !

OP posts:
MumNWLondon · 19/01/2010 13:57

Agree with other posters, take place and get younger son on waiting list, very likely a place will come up, (you'll be at top of list as he's got a sibling in the school) - but do call each term to remind them.... you'll have to be prepared to move him as soon as the place comes up.

And if someone doesn't leave by year 3 you'll appeal, and probably win as they can have up to 35 from year 3 onwards.