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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

Reception place withdrawn mid-year - help!

38 replies

QueenofWhatever · 29/03/2010 20:30

My DD (now 5.3) and I moved to our local city in August to get away from my abusive ex. This meant she lost her place at the local village school.

Schools here are very oversubscribed and she was given a place at the only school left with availability even though it's a bus ride away. I put her on the waiting list for the local school which is 350 metres from our house. It's a great school, Ofsted rated as outstanding so very sought after.

On Wednesday the council phoned me to say a place had become available. I had to accept it there and then with her to start after the Easter holidays. We had a meeting there today (Monday), but this morning I got a call saying the child whose place she had got had changed their mind and was now staying.

They'd confirmed it in writing, I'd told my DD that she was going (super excited), rearranged childcare and her place at her existing school has been offered to another child. Can the Council do this?

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prh47bridge · 13/04/2010 00:34

I disagree with 3point14. Stick with the LGO. That will give you a much better chance of success. The LA are unlikely to change their interpretation of the rules just because an MP intervenes.

3point14 · 13/04/2010 13:58

If they have written to you offering a place then they are in breach of contract and you can sue.

prh47bridge · 14/04/2010 00:16

I'm afraid I have to disagree with 3point14 again. Stick with the LGO. It is unlikely that a breach of contract case would be successful and, if you fail, you would end up paying the LA's costs as well as your own. Going to the LGO is free and will also be much quicker than the courts.

bellissima · 14/04/2010 11:20

I don't see any harm in writing to your MP as well as pursuing the LGO route - it's not starting a new legal/formal process and well, you never know. Very sorry you have been treated like this.

prh47bridge · 14/04/2010 21:05

I understand what you are saying Bellissima but the problem is that there are no MPs at the moment. Your "MP" is no longer allowed to call him/herself an MP and, unless he/she is a minister, has no more power or influence than anyone else.

Original poster

QueenofWhatever · 14/04/2010 21:53

Well, I sent another letter to the admissions manager on Monday, also copying in the councillor who leads on Children and Young People.

Then I lodged a complaint with the LGO online, which was really easy. I'll wait until next week and if I haven't had a response I'll start chasing them both.

I agree with prh47bridge on the MP thing, we are in purdah at work and there are no MPs until after the election which means we don't have to answer any of their letters etc. so I'm not sure it would help me with this.

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bellissima · 15/04/2010 12:28

Okay granted prh47 - but (and I don't know the location) if it's a fairly safe seat the MP will be 'in place' again in three weeks and 24 hrs - probably as long as it takes for a letter to get out of his/her in-tray anyway. Should it be a new face then worth writing immediately after May 6 as well - this might just be the kind of 'obvious victim' issue they would like to get their teeth into (okay I'm being a cynical civil servant here, but I just don't see the harm in trying. Its a letter. Don't use green ink!)

fin35 · 19/04/2010 10:32

Hi
So sorry to hear of you situation.
Try these guys:
The Advisory Centre for Education
www.ace-ed.org.uk/

As you are no longer with your partner you may well be entitled to free advice.

I too am having a tough time with my DD's school place and I found talking on the telephone helps me clarify the situation and makes me stronger to make the next step.

BEST OF LUCK

Original poster

QueenofWhatever · 23/04/2010 20:26

Quick update, I still have not heard anything following my complaint to the LGO or my further letter to the Council admissions manager.

But then out of the blue I got a call this afternoon from the admin assistant at the Council saying a place is now free at the new school and would I like to have it. Slight feeling of groundhog day, so I said I wanted them to confirm it in writing first as I wanted to be clear they wouldn't change their minds again. Oh no, she said all innocent, it's not that I've changed my mind but the original child is leaving now...

Not sure if I should just be grateful I've got a place or get them to admit they made a mistake. Haven't told my daughter yet, I'll wait until it feels a bit more real.

OP posts:

BetsyBoop · 23/04/2010 22:25

fingers crossed that you get to the "happy ending" without any hiccups this time QoW
(I don't blame you for being cautious with telling your DD though, based on your past experience...)

TheNextMrsDepp · 23/04/2010 22:32

Read your thread, what a nightmare, you've probably had some major sleepless nights over this. I reckon you would have won an appeal anyway. Don't tell dd yet!!!

prh47bridge · 23/04/2010 22:42

Really pleased to hear your news. Glad it's worked out for you and your daughter.

admission · 24/04/2010 22:06

Agree, a success eventually but a time of unhappiness that should not have been if the LA had done their job properly.

Love to really know what happened. It might be worth just asking for an update on your complaint at the LGO and see what they say. If they say well we have told the LA to give you a place or that they suggested that the LA reconsider their position - well you know the answer, don't you!

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