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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

Pulling hair out with worry..... Catchments and Appeals?

30 replies

madmissy · 31/01/2010 14:20

Hi there to whoever reads!

My daughter is now 4 and is in a great and very popular Schools Reception. However we are out of catchment and her being in Reception doesn't guarantee a place in September for Year 1.

I am so worried that my daughter will not get a place come September, she so settled there and really enjoys it. Dreading to perhaps have to appeal.

Last year they had 204 list as a preferance and they only have 90 places. They met all catchment criteria as this is very small but the distance criteria the school was not able to accommodate , therefore, the pupils living closest to the school were
allocated a place.

now we do not live far away 4 min drive max but so many must apply.

If DD is not offered a place I will appeal..... but what happens with these?

Has anyone any experience of a appeal and whats taken into account?

One worried and upset mummy here! (Bloomin hormones!)

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SoupDragon · 31/01/2010 14:22

I think you only have grounds for appeal if they have not applied the selection criteria correctly.

Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 14:26

bum fingers crossed then.

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SoupDragon · 31/01/2010 14:29

What a bizarre scenario though, where reception children don't get a place in Y1.

SoupDragon · 31/01/2010 14:30

Or do you mean she's in nursery (pre-school) and isn't guaranteed a place in Reception? That's how it works in our school.

Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 14:31

I know! I think its as the council took over applications? No idea really. But hopefully it may go in some favour for her?

Would councils check where child is? I applied as soon as possible whether that makes difference I have no idea

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NoahAndTheWhale · 31/01/2010 14:35

So is she is Reception or nursery at the moment? When was she 4?

NoahAndTheWhale · 31/01/2010 14:37

I do agree with the worry thing though - my DD is in a mixed nursery/reception class and we don't find out if she has a reception place until the beginning of May. We are in the catchment so should be all right but I still worry a little about it.

Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 14:39

Shes in Reception not nursery. So school uniform in main school etc etc. She turned 4 in Dec just gone.

I find out March 1st yay or nay...

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hippipotamiHasLost77lbs · 31/01/2010 14:41

Huh? Most schools start at reception, so if she has a place in reception she stays at that school....
Whereabouts are you?

hippipotamiHasLost77lbs · 31/01/2010 14:42

If she turned 4 two months ago then she must be in Nursery. Reception is rising 5's. At least here it is...

LuckyJim · 31/01/2010 14:44

She should start reception the September after she turns 4. They should have their fifth birthday in reception and 6th birthday in Y1. My dd was 4 in November, she starts reception in Sept 2010. Are you in England?

Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 14:45

Definately Reception, she was in a nursery/pre school last year. Shes there every day every morning.

We are Luton in Bedfordshire, the school have made it clear that we are not guranteed her place for Sept full time

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SoupDragon · 31/01/2010 14:45

If you are in England, she is in pre-school, not reception if she turned 4 in December. DD turns 4 next week and is in the preschool attached to the main school - she starts reception in Sept (and is guaranteed a place only because she is a sibling, not because she is at the pre-school. This was made clear when she joined the nursery and on the primary school application)

Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 14:45

The schools nursery is seperate and really hard to get into.

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Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 14:46

Her school call it Reception so this is confusing the hell out of me

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MedusaHead · 31/01/2010 14:49

madmissy you need to get hold of a copy of the entrance criteria for the school. If it is a church school the criteria can vary. That should give you some idea of where you stand.

SoupDragon is right. You can only secure a place if you can prove that the school haven't applied the entrance criteria correctly.

I've been through this process and it was a nightmare. We failed in our appeal.

Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 14:50

ok looking on the school site her teachers are nursery so yes nursery

then its gold silver then Y1+

i could cry

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Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 14:51

the 3 preferrences we have are all out of catchment.

our catchment is a diabolical school which scored very badly in ofsted

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mankyscotslass · 31/01/2010 15:08

If she only turned 4 december Just gone, in England she would be too young for school.

My DS was 4 in October and is in school nursery, He wears a uniform like the rest of the school, but will not start school proper til September. My friends DD is the same and was 4 in December too.

We had to fill out applications last year and will be notified of school allocations in April. And attendance at the nursery does not give an automatic place at school either.

Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 15:10

yes thats what i have just put in last few posts...

all very confusing if you ask me.

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NoahAndTheWhale · 31/01/2010 15:12

When will you find out?

bronze · 31/01/2010 15:13

we find out in april

Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 15:14

march 1st so not long.
ive taken big gamble with putting 3 out of school catchments as my pref but the one thats in is really bad

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NoahAndTheWhale · 31/01/2010 15:16

Sorry, see you have put it already.

I think you will just have to keep your fingers crossed - sorry I can't be more helpful.

Original poster

madmissy · 31/01/2010 15:22

no its fine! completely confused myself. i moved her from a nursery as she was sooooo ready for more. shes really bright (no really lol- im not one of them my child is gifted types but she needed bit more to stimulate) so i moved her on. now im thinking did i do right if shes then moved in another school

so stressful

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